During the recent Ash clouds over Europe and the ensuing workplace disruption, we logged a record number of online meetings and remote computer access sessions.

I'm always fascinated by usage stats during a crisis.  Year after year, be it an act of God or that of man, hundreds of thousands of people suddenly scramble to connect remotely.  This speaks to our general lack of preparedness.  I'm not immune to this either.  I've been procrastinating for months to put together a home emergency kit.  At best, I've gathered enough supplies to last about an hour...not good.  

It's not only the headline worthy events that disrupt our lives.  In most cases, it can be something as simple as a car problem or a broken laptop that will cause workplace disruption.  The difference between me, and many of the people caught in the Ash, is that I'm ready for it.  Bring it on!

Let's play out a scenario and you tell me if you'd be ready.  You're alarm clock didn't go off because the power is out.  You wake up because the light coming in from the windows is hitting your square in the face.  You scramble for your cell phone and check the time.  Simply put, you're late.  Then you realize that no power = no computer, no lights, no breakfast, etc.  In this scenario, what do you need to be productive when everything around you is failing?

1. A fully charged Smartphone with email access and backup battery
2. Two designated workshifting locations (in case one is not available)
3. The nearest hotel with wifi and/or a business center
4. A license of a web based remote access service, and one for web conferencing
5. Protein bars
6. A good sense of humor

Did you notice that "laptop" is not on the list?  Many hotels and co-working spaces will let you use their computers for a fee.  All you need to be armed with is access to a web browser and your passwords (memorize your passwords).  

Lets play out this scenario even further.  Your laptop is busted so you decide to workshift at the business center at the local hotel.  While en-route, you drop and break your Smartphone (it's happened to me).  Believe me, this isn't that far-fetched.  Could you still work?

If you remember your passwords, and have the right web based apps, you're good to go.  If your web conferencing service has integrated audio, even better.  Now you can access your important documents, have meetings and make phone calls, all from a computer.

The last couple of tips are equally important.  Leave a couple of protein bars in your backpack or travel bag.  Being hungry is very distracting and will effect your mood.  Lastly, keep your sense of humor intact.  The first few places you try and workshift from may be a bust, so keeping your humor intact will help keep things in perspective.  

Lets reverse engineer this and put things in order of priority:

1.  Access to the web (hotel, co-working space, friend's house, etc.)
2.  Web based remote access and online meeting services with integrated audio
3.  Sense of humor
4.  Food
5.  Designated workshifting locations
6.  Smartphone

My Smartphone is the first thing I grab in the morning, so I was surprised when I put it last on the list.  In a pinch, you could get by without it and in most cases, you'd be just as productive.

So next time you walk out the door, think about your workplace disruption plan.  Think about what you would need, what your family would need, your employees, etc., and then put it to the test.  Walk out the door with your wallet and keys, and see if you could successfully workshift for a day.  

What is your workplace disruption plan?


Photo Credit: BBC World Service