Mobile Working Removes Risk of Power
In this era of modern work-life balance being able to get out the office – or not even having an office at all – is the key to ensuring that work doesn’t overtake your family life. But are there other benefits? This article looks at some of the headaches that vanish when you embrace mobile working.
The (over-)reliance on power
Let’s for a moment focus on power. We all take it for granted, it is for the most part available. For those with a mobile office, lack of power is seldom a problem. Working with laptops that provide a couple of hours battery power covers all but the longest outage, more than enough time to switch locations and recharge.
For those still working at home of in an office, you have, unless in an area where the power is highly reliable, invested in backup power. Probably a small petrol or diesel generator. This is yet another cost that you must bare to be able to work continuously and reliably from a fixed location.
People often underestimate the costs of working from a fixed point – especially as you become more profitable and the business expands. If we focus on the UK – a generally reliable market for power, backup generators are still required, certainly when you expand beyond more than a few people. CEO of Welland Power UK Charlie Farrow says “Its clear that the benefits of working remotely are huge – not only potentially for your won work life balance, but for those of your employees. This can also reduce the costs of running your business, while improving performance.
If you decide that you need an office, protect it correctly. Get something with good voltage stability, preferably a unit with an Automatic voltage regulator (AVR) and choose one with a quality engine, something you can get spares for, like a Perkins, Baudouin or Cummins.”
Takeaway
Overall as always, the key to these decisions is balance; but the additional benefits that can be provided to removing the fixed office from your working day are clear – a better work life balance, lower infrastructure costs and a more flexible and enjoyable work life.
Ensuring you invest in good quality equipment and consider the whole life cycle cost is key to making the right decision. It is also essential you consider not just the financial costs of having an office, but also the social costs to your staff – a good work/life balance will have them continuously in your employment.
Valuing your staff is key to business success – a high staff turnover leads to additional costs and a demotivated workforce. Especially when you consider the millennials – they are young, dynamic and like to have a side game, you need to give them time to express themselves and ensure that they can work in a way which fits their lifestyle – however much you may disagree with it.
About the Author
Ivan Widjaya A mobile entrepreneur who loves to work anytime, anywhere he wants. He runs several popular business blogs, make money online and live a geoarbitrage lifestyle. He typically works at home and travel with his family when he wants to, often without his business.
