I use the term “remote office” here rather loosely, as it is more about working remotely than from an office. This week (as you may tell from my late-night posts) I’ve found myself working from a theatre, getting my “office” work done there during the day (and repeating the same when I get home) as I have a new production opening tonight for the remainder of the week.

In working remotely, there are a few things I need in order to function.

1. Laptop with mobile broadband
   I can’t rely on a client premises or a remote location to have a network I can plug into or a wifi connection in the building so having the mobile broadband option (via Telefonica O2) allows me connect to the home and office server to pull out much-needed project files
2. Mobile phone
   A given really as it never leaves my pocket. I do, however, carry a second handset in the possibility that my primary handset might run out of juice. Especially if I forget point number three.
3. Mobile phone charger
   Vital ingredient, especially if you don’t have a second handset. I got caught out last week and wound up missing some important text messages and a particular call but I’ve had my charger with me all week.
4. Headphones
   I use Skype the odd bit during the week for connecting back to the office, joining a podcast call or sitting in on a video call. Not wanting those around me to hear what’s going on, I make sure to have a set of in-ear headphones handy in my bag.
5. A trailing socket / extension lead
   If you can fit one in your bag, I tend to have a gangway with me (4-way adapter). Sometimes power points can be a bit tricky, or limited. I might have the laptop plugged in, would need to charge the phone, maybe power a video camera - having easy access to power points in the one location is a great help, so I’ll usually have a 4-way in the van.
6. Pens & Paper
   An A4 spiral refill pad and 2-3 biros and I’m set. It saves you scrambling for bits of paper or using envelopes to get your ideas down.

If you’re unsure about the working and eating setup, you could also go the extra step and add some toilet paper / tissues / cup-o-soup packets to your bag of tricks, as I have often done in the past.

The great thing is that all the above fit into the one bag. Remembering to leave the house with everything is the trick though. Have you anything of vital importance you must bring with you when working remotely?

Stock photo from here.

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