Resources for Wireless Email

For self-employed professionals and small business owners, staying connected to the office is critical, even during the summer when the beach beckons, the mountains call or you just want an afternoon in the backyard.  Whether on the road for meetings or on the shore for some hard-earned R&R, staying connected is easier than ever with today's advanced wireless technology.

Today's demanding 24/7 work environment requires everyone -- especially small business owners -- to be accessible even during the summer when everyone is trying to spend time away from the office. Fortunately, it doesn't take fancy laptops, hand-held computers or other costly technology to stay plugged in -- just your wireless phone. Key tasks you can accomplish include:

1) Send and receive email
2) Access the Internet
3) Download files

Here are my tips for Work.com users on staying productive with just a cell phone:

Download that big file -- from the beach!

Municipal wireless networks that can handle large data loads are being built worldwide, but are not yet available everywhere, and Wi-Fi hotspots can be tough to find. So what to do in the meantime when you need to download that large file and you're away from the office?

Automatically forward office calls to your cell

Vacations aren't fun if work beckons at inconvenient times. Fortunately, phone service providers are sensitive to the needs of entrepreneurs and anyone else who must stay connected to their business while enjoying time away during the summer.

Take a rugged phone on your vacation

Let's face it. Most cell phones just can't take a licking and keep on ticking. Whether hiking, rafting, mountain climbing or biking, your phone most likely can't handle Mother Nature like you can.

Coordinate the troops even while you're away

Making multiple calls throughout the day trying to coordinate your team can be cumbersome.

Keep up with breaking business news

It's crucial to know what's happening in your industry in real-time, even when you're away.

Access key contacts on the go

If you need to reach a company colleague or a member of the family, many smart phones now allow you to access Microsoft Outlook or other email programs that store all of your contacts.

• Getting lost on the road is a thing of the past since GPS-enabled smart phones give you step-by-step driving directions, trip planning and much more on the open road.
• Create and store a file with all of your credit card information and keep it in your email box. Should your credit card get stolen, you can wirelessly access this information and freeze your card to minimize any losses and speed up card replacement.
• Have an emergency plan, in case you get lost or something unexpected happens. Consider adding the feature to your phone plan that offers E911 services, which quickly and easily connect you to help and can provide information on your location via GPS.
• Hit the road with a camera phone. There are countless uses for an integrated camera or videophone beyond capturing a snapshot with Mickey or filming fireworks.