Business mentor: You can take a holiday but carry on working

Q. Having worked 60-hour weeks for most of this year, I'm ready for the Christmas break and, frankly, it will be well-earned family time. However, I'm close to closing a big deal for my business with someone who is "working through". I've heard other business friends talk about "working remotely", but what does it actually mean and how can it help me over this critical time? 

A. Jan Ferguson, small business manager of Microsoft New Zealand, replies:

A relaxing break can also give you head space for the fresh business thinking that you can't do with the daily demands back home.

But when it is your own business, it can be difficult to get away, as there is no one else to close that big deal if you aren't there. Totally isolating yourself from work can add to stress levels.

But you don't have to be totally isolated. With the right technology you can still work "remotely" when you need to, even if you are away on holiday.

How you do this depends on your hardware and software set-up and where you will be based. Before you travel, talk to your technology specialist, IT administrator or internet service provider (ISP) to set up correctly for remote access so you don't waste valuable holiday time. Otherwise, here are a few pointers to help you stay on top of things while on vacation.

Taking your wireless computer with you

If you already have a wireless device, such as a wireless LAN-enabled laptop, notebook or even a cellphone, it is easy to access and action your email through remote access or using a "wireless hotspot".

Remote access

Most New Zealand telecommunications vendors offer some sort of remote access so that you can "hook into" the local network in your new location but still have your own email configurations.

Have a look at your ISP's website for more details about their remote dial-in or broadband offering, and what you need to do before you hit the road.

Wireless hotspots

At some holiday destinations you should be able to connect your wireless device to the internet from a "hotspot" - a public space equipped with wireless internet access.

Many hotels, convention centres, airport departure lounges, golf clubs, libraries, coffee shops or restaurants have hotspots.

Older laptops require a wireless access card, available at any computer store, which is plugged into a slot on the side of the laptop. Newer models may not require anything.

Once you have the technology, you need to find your closest holiday hotspot that works with your specific set-up. Again, check your ISP's websites for the closest hotspot.

Another site to try is www.wifinder.com, where you can search for hotspots in different countries.

Some public hotspots are free, but regardless, connecting to one usually requires a contract with the hotspot service provider. You can obtain a contract at the hotspot site from your service provider or by accessing the provider's website before you go away.

Holidaying without your own computer

In New Zealand and overseas, many hotels or bed and breakfasts now offer internet access - and there are now many internet cafes. It is easy to research their locations through tourism websites before you leave.

From these public computers, once you have internet access, it is easy to access your email as most ISPs have access through their websites.

You can test this on your home computer before leaving to make sure access is easy.

Holiday security

Whether at work, home or away, computer security is crucial, especially if you are negotiating an important deal. If you are working remotely, most public computers or wireless networks should be secure, but there are some steps you can take to make sure your business information is safe.

Check out the Microsoft website for tips for being secure on a public computer or when using a public wireless network. www.microsoft.com/nz/athome/security/onthego 

* For more information contact Jan Ferguson on (09) 353-6865 or email janfer@microsoft.com.

* Email your small business questions to georgina.bond@nzherald.co.nz

* Answers are provided by small business sector specialist Sarah Trotman sarah.trotman@stassociates.co.nz