3 Tech Tools to Help You Travel Lighter
January 15, 2010 by Phil Montero · 13 Comments
During this past holiday season I spent about 18 days in Syracuse NY visiting family and friends. I decided for the first time ever to travel for an extended holiday vacation without my laptop – having to walk through several airports lugging heave luggage I figured the less tech gear I had to take with me the better! Thanks to two small pieces of technology (that fit in my pocket) and one service I use I was able to stay connected, entertained, and when needed – productive.
Watch this short video to learn more about how I took The Anywhere Office with me and was able to work from anywhere while traveling lighter than ever before!
Two things I forgot to mention in the video . . . The reason I have an iPod Touch and not an iPhone is because I refuse to switch from Verizon to AT&T as my cellphone provider. I have been a loyal Verizon customer for years for two main reasons – excellent signal (I can make and receive calls from just about anywhere and almost never have a dropped call) and great customer service (sadly almost unheard of today). The minute Apple gets smart and moves away from their exclusive deal with AT&T and brings the iPhone (or some variation of it) to Verizon I will be the first one in line to get one!
Also one additional app I use on my iPod Touch that really helped me stay in touch was Yahoo Messenger. Yahoo is the main IM service I use and I was able to seamlessly stay connected using my iPod Touch so I didn’t miss any messages from my family, friends, and colleagues – simply awesome.
BTW – I shot this video using my new Flip UltraHD camcorder and the Gorilla Tripod – 2 more great portable pieces of technology I have!
Comment below and let me know what is the key technology you use to stay connected when on the road.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (15.5MB)
Phil Montero 2.0 – Why 2 heads are better than one!
December 10, 2009 by Phil Montero · 10 Comments
I recently entered a fun video contest sponsored by HotHardware.com and Viddler where they asked you to upload a short video telling them about your personal hardware or tech gear and why it enhances your world. The prize was a Flip UltraHD Camcorder. These amazing video cameras shoot in HD and are small enough to fit in your pocket (a perfect addition to The Anywhere Office). I’ve been wanting one for a while so when I saw the contest I just had to enter! After some brainstorming with Jason we came up with a fun idea that not only highlighted some great tech but also explained the productivity boost I get from using it. There were some very creative entries to the contest but happily about a week ago they announced me as the winner (waaahoo)! Here is my winning entry:
If you’re not familiar with their website, HotHardware.com features computing/hardware news and reviews f0r technology enthusiasts and IT professionals. They have a wonderful active community and I highly recommend you sign up for free and join in the discussions. Read more
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (5.6MB)
Telecommuting in the 21st Century: How to Implement or Improve Virtual Teams and Flexible Work in Your Organization (Part 8: Managing Expectation)
December 1, 2009 by Phil Montero · 2 Comments
Welcome to Part 8 of our 13 part audio series on Flexible Work and Telecommuting – Telecommuting in the 21st Century: How to Implement or Improve Virtual Teams and Flexible Work in Your Organization“.
In rolling out a telework program it’s critical to have realistic expectations for involvement and output. You need to have a clear idea of what success looks like so you will know when you have achieved it and have proper feedback channels in place so you can determine what areas might need more work or attention to fine tune your program. Don’t overlook the importance of training to help your people adjust to this shift in work and management style. You also want to make sure managers and teleworkers understand what is expected of them.
In part 8 of our podcast we will be discussing how to manage expectations and the importance of having clear measurable objectives, getting feedback, and providing training.
So listen in to Part 8: Managing Expectation
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 5:29 — 5.0MB)
.
Sandbox Time – The Importance of Play When Learning New Technology
November 18, 2009 by Phil Montero · 21 Comments
One challenge many teams and organizations face is getting their people to use and embrace much of the amazing collaboration software and technology that is available. In working with virtual teams, we find that many people tend to fall back on email rather than shared online work spaces – or opt for traditional conference calls rather than using web meeting or conferencing services.
Find Their Comfort Zone
The biggest stumbling block is getting your team comfortable with the new software or service and truly understanding the benefits it provides.
In short, why would it make my life or job easier?
Far too few companies provide training on these technologies – so you and your colleagues are forced to figure it out as you go along or after a very brief tutorial. This sink-or-swim mentality causes many of these powerful tools to go untouched and impedes productivity.
The secret to turn this all around is simple . . . play!
The Power of Play
Play is a non-threatening way to remove stress from learning and encourage exploration of the features of new technology. Create some type of project for your team that’s fun and everyone will be excited about using the new tool.
Want your team to start using SharePoint or some other type of web-based discussion board or collaboration space? Why not setup a place where they can share recipes, bios, and information about their hobbies and families?
Want them to use WebEx or some other meeting service? Create time to have a regular virtual water cooler where they can share photos, create a Read more
Telecommuting in the 21st Century: How to Implement or Improve Virtual Teams and Flexible Work in Your Organization (Part 7: Where Do We Start?)
November 13, 2009 by Phil Montero · 15 Comments
Welcome to Part 7 of our 13 part audio series on Flexible Work and Telecommuting – Telecommuting in the 21st Century: How to Implement or Improve Virtual Teams and Flexible Work in Your Organization“.
When looking to roll out telework or flexwork in your organization it often helps to start with a pilot program. This can help you gather important feedback, make sure you have the right technology in place, and help you recognize any speed bumps that might arise when expanding your program throughout the rest of your company. The size of your company will dictate how formal and involved this process needs to be. However having some type of trial period is always a good way to start.
In part 7 of our podcast we look at steps for successful telework implementation and how to get started.
So listen in to Part 7: Where Do We Start?
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:01 — 2.8MB)
.
