Digital Nomads
Where is "the office?"
Some of you are reading (or posting) from "the office." For many, that is a place you get in your car, ride your bike or hop in "the tube" to reach. For some, that's a room down the hall, a corner of the kitchen or the basement, next to the washing machine.
And some, like me, enjoy the digital connectivity of a third party, like Starbucks, Westfield, Barnes and Noble or some other such coffee house, book store, mall or other public place.
No fewer than three articles in the last seven days have commented on the concept of "digital bedouins" - people, such as me, that are remote, connected, and working.
At one time, there was a stigma attached to those who didn't strap on the tie, and head out into cubicle-ville, to perform their daily labors. But, when I can answer emails from my phone, have conference calls from my computer, and use my TV to surf the web... what essential elements of the "office" am I missing?
I communicate with friends and co-workers via instant message or email (which I used to do on my cubicle-bound job, rather than walk down the hall to actually TALK to them...), for many of my friends, my cell phone is the only number they've ever known. What difference does it make then? Heck, if I was extra tricky, I would re-enable my virtual PBX system, and I could forward message via computer, to my home, my cell, my Skype account, etc - all in a manner transparent to the caller.
Does business get done? I don't know. Its certainly not for everyone. It requires discipline and focus. But, I recently completed the acquisition of a small retail establishment - never having met the opposing party or their counsel (only interacting via phone and email), and meeting my client three times in person, all at a Starbucks. The remainder of our work done via phone, fax and email.
The two women next to me just completed a transaction for one of them to (sadly) sign up as part of a multi-level marketing scheme. On the other side of me, the owner of a local salon, meeting with a contractor about an upcoming expansion and construction project. In the corner, a sales rep for a technology company, finishing up a phone call, and entering in sales data into his company's online ordering portal.
Business is business. Whether you're in a suit and tie, with a suite overlooking the water - or in a coffee house with a laptop and a business card.
Its the digital age. pull up a chair, get yourself some coffee, and get to work.
Some of you are reading (or posting) from "the office." For many, that is a place you get in your car, ride your bike or hop in "the tube" to reach. For some, that's a room down the hall, a corner of the kitchen or the basement, next to the washing machine.
And some, like me, enjoy the digital connectivity of a third party, like Starbucks, Westfield, Barnes and Noble or some other such coffee house, book store, mall or other public place.
No fewer than three articles in the last seven days have commented on the concept of "digital bedouins" - people, such as me, that are remote, connected, and working.
At one time, there was a stigma attached to those who didn't strap on the tie, and head out into cubicle-ville, to perform their daily labors. But, when I can answer emails from my phone, have conference calls from my computer, and use my TV to surf the web... what essential elements of the "office" am I missing?
I communicate with friends and co-workers via instant message or email (which I used to do on my cubicle-bound job, rather than walk down the hall to actually TALK to them...), for many of my friends, my cell phone is the only number they've ever known. What difference does it make then? Heck, if I was extra tricky, I would re-enable my virtual PBX system, and I could forward message via computer, to my home, my cell, my Skype account, etc - all in a manner transparent to the caller.
Does business get done? I don't know. Its certainly not for everyone. It requires discipline and focus. But, I recently completed the acquisition of a small retail establishment - never having met the opposing party or their counsel (only interacting via phone and email), and meeting my client three times in person, all at a Starbucks. The remainder of our work done via phone, fax and email.
The two women next to me just completed a transaction for one of them to (sadly) sign up as part of a multi-level marketing scheme. On the other side of me, the owner of a local salon, meeting with a contractor about an upcoming expansion and construction project. In the corner, a sales rep for a technology company, finishing up a phone call, and entering in sales data into his company's online ordering portal.
Business is business. Whether you're in a suit and tie, with a suite overlooking the water - or in a coffee house with a laptop and a business card.
Its the digital age. pull up a chair, get yourself some coffee, and get to work.
posted by Mitch at 11:39 AM
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