The fantastic thing about the global availability of the internet in 2020, is that if you work on a computer, it's often possible to take your work with you when you travel. You can take your work to the other side of the world, as long as you are able to get a decent internet connection.
Now the term "digital nomad" is these days often associated with many a get-rich-quick scheme. This is unfortunate, as living abroad and taking advantage of the strength of the US dollar, or the Euro, whilst living in India for example - provides a great way to live an amazing lifestyle - thanks to the strength of the dollar & Euro, with the relatively cheap cost of living in India.
You may not be looking to work remotely. Many of us just want to enjoy a working vacation now and then. The United States boasts some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world, with snowy mountains and deserts often spaced just a 30-minute drive apart in states such as California. If you are looking to live on the road and work or just take your work with you now and then whilst you enjoy the scenery on offer, then putting an office in your RV is a great idea.
Office Space Location
There are several methods of creating an office space in your RV or mobile home. There are also a number of areas within the vehicle that can be successfully converted into a mobile office.
Dining Area Conversion
The most common area to convert into an office appears to be the dining space. A trip to IKEA may not be a bad idea to start the conversion with. Most stores will have office-spaces set out, and you can normally purchase a desk, chair and some organising stationery for less than $200:
If you can find a desk with a pull-out tray, that can be ideal for placing a keyboard and mouse upon.
If you are looking for an office table, you should look for one with wheels that lock. During transit, desktop monitors are especially at risk of damage. You can store them away each time you travel or you can look to utilise a desk-clamp. A quick Google search for a "desk clamp for monitor" brings up a variety of options to fit different types of computer monitors.
Some kind of a hook or secure-point for office chairs may also help prevent any damage either caused to or by the chairs when the RV is in motion. If you can attach a hook to a stable or built-in part of the dining area, then a strap or bungee-cord can work well to keep them from sliding and falling over.
Passenger Seat Conversion
RV enthusiasts can also convert the driving area into an office.
Using the passenger area, a pull-out laptop tray for the keyboard and mouse, and a laptop stand can be added to create a temporary mobile office. This is best used when the RV is stationary, however. On the RVLove Youtube channel, they also recommend the use of wireless Bluetooth earphones and a storage box that can double as a footrest.
Bunk-Bed Conversion
Alternatively, many people change the bunk-bed area into an office space. This requires some custom made sections of wood to be cut to fit the specific spaces left once the beds are removed. The process involves taking out the top bunk all together and then replacing the board underneath the bottom-bunk, with a more thick and sturdy piece of wood - or reinforcing it from underneath with strips of wood so that it can take the weight of an adult, sat on a chair.
Office Lighting
Depending on the area which is converted into an office, the lighting can often be too bright for working on a computer. With this in mind, it can be best to invest in some black-out-blinds or in the case of a bunk-area conversion, a custom-made piece of wood to cover the porthole window.
Business Owners Working on the Road
If you are self-employed, perhaps managing a number of employees, working on the road may seem a somewhat far-off dream for you. However, outsourcing several daily tasks can make life much more streamlined and can give you the time to enjoy your travels.
To begin with, when you are enjoying an evening exploring or enjoying time with the family - you will no doubt, want to avoid any unnecessary phone calls. Hiring a virtual receptionist can minimise interruptions throughout the day - screening out any annoying sales calls - allowing you to focus on the work at hand. In the evenings, you can choose to only be disturbed in case of an emergency meaning that you can relax, safe in the knowledge that any clients of sales leads are being looked after by your receptionist. It can be a real false-economy to hire a cheap overseas virtual receptionist provider. A company such as Moneypenny can provide a dedicated receptionist who knows your business well enough to provide a professional service - a similar or often superior standard compared to someone who is employed full time. This means that you won't compromise your company image or professionalism because you are on the road.
You can also look to outsource repetitive tasks and tedious tasks such as going through your emails. A virtual assistant can answer your emails in the evenings for you and filter out any spam or unimportant messages. Finally, you can use Microsoft Teams or Zoom for video conferencing - which should not be an issue as long as your office is relatively clean!
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
