Being a workshifter is a constant quest for productivity. Do more with as little as possible - at least, that was one of the reasons I used to justify buying a tablet computer earlier this year.

As such, I've been putting my iPad 2 to the test. My goal was to figure out if tablets could really replace laptops, as I certainly want them to. Carrying my tablet is so much more convenient, not to mention the ease of taking it through airport screening.

However, I've discovered the key to being productive with my tablet is contingent upon the amount of planning I do. Using a tablet for a long trip or heavy-duty work does take some forethought, so for those of you out there trying to go tablet only, here are some tips to consider:

Internet Access

Get both 3G and Wi-Fi on your tablet so that you can access the Internet from anywhere. The internet is no longer a luxury; it's a necessity.

File Access

Nothing is more frustrating than not being able to access a document when you need it. Apps like GoToMyPC give you the peace of mind of knowing you can grab a file when necessary. It's like cloud storage but better, because all of your files are right where you're used to finding them on your PC. It also means no more fumbling around for a thumb drive.

Charging

I know, this sounds so fundamental, but managing battery life has become an essential skill for workshifters. When you're unsure of your next electrical outlet, make sure your equipment is fully charged, and to help conserve power, separate tasks by the most appropriate device. Don't attempt tablet-level jobs on your phone and vice versa.

Keyboard

Typing on a flat screen takes some getting used to, and I'm not sure I've completely perfected it. Short messages are no worries, but longer messages, well, are a little weird. If you're like me, then do what I did and get a cover for your tablet that has a built-in Bluetooth keyboard. It makes typing very convenient.

Tablet Covers

Speaking of convenient, having the ability to angle your tablet screen is very helpful. It's probably because we're used to having the screen angled on our laptops. Whether it's a smart cover or something else, having a cover to give that little angle makes a difference.

Apps

What discussion about tablets would be complete without mentioning apps? These days there's an app for everything. On one hand, that's a good thing for productivity. On the other, it means we have to resist the urge to download a bunch of apps we'll never use. Here's a post to help you manage your workshifting lifestyle.

Got any tips or resources to improve tablet productivity?

Photo Credit: C.C. Chapman

Since starting at Citrix 5 years ago, I've internalized the company motto: "Work with anyone from anywhere." Although we've been using this saying for a long time, mobile technology has only recently caught up. I can still picture an image we used to use for marketing that showed someone working on a beach with a laptop, and I always wondered how many people actually got Wi-Fi access on the beach.

Fast-forward to today when tablets and smart phones are so prevalent that many of us carry 2 to 3 devices (I currently carry 3: iPhone, iPad, IBM ThinkPad). How do we stay connected when we're so distributed now? Mobile collaboration, or the ability to connect and collaborate anywhere, will become even more important over the next few years. Distributed work is not new, but these powerful electronics are increasingly pressuring us to communicate and make decisions at a distance. How do we adjust?

We recently announced that anyone can attend a GoToMeeting session from an Android device or iPhone. The whole process of launching these products got me thinking about how the way we interact will change, a realization that really hit me when I attended a GoToMeeting session from the dog park a few weeks ago.

First, we have to challenge our assumptions. Our communications are very unstructured, thanks in large part to email. We bounce ideas, send messages and make calls, but we've forgotten how to set up an agenda and bring people together for a successful meeting. I recommend you look through a new book titled Read This Before Our Next Meeting by Al Pittampalli, published through Seth Godin's Domino Project, to learn more about how we've lost sight of efficient meetings. We need to get back in the habit of structuring collaboration around outcomes. Mobile work styles are great at creating flexibility for the employee, but not for agendas or results. We must define our interactions and what we want to get out of them.

A bigger theme we see with mobility is the idea of choice - you can choose where and what devices you want to work from. But choice must also extend to when you work. Some people assume the new mobile technologies mean employees can now work 24/7, but we must fight this assumption. Why do we like to be mobile? Because it gives us the freedom to control our lives. We can meet from a park, work on a business trip or share slides with someone in a different country.

Our challenge here is to set boundaries and stick to them. Use mobile collaboration tools to be more effective, to work from anywhere life takes you - but set a schedule of availability and abide by it.

Photo Credit: guiguis

The growth of mobile technology is simply staggering. According to mobiThinking, there are 5.3 billion mobile subscribers (that translates to 77% of the world's population.) By 2014, it's expected that mobile will overtake the PC as the most popular way to access the web. People are using mobile technologies for commerce, entertainment, and productivity.

No surprise, this trend has a definite impact on business and the workplace. The International Data Corporation (IDC) has estimated that the mobile workforce will exceed 1 billion people in 2011. The reasons that businesses are moving in this direction vary - everything from cost savings and reducing the carbon footprint to attracting and retaining the top talent necessary to remain competitive.

As business talks more about mobile strategy, the conversation will not be exclusively about the hardware. In order to effectively leverage mobile technology, it's equally important to use it effectively. I recently finished reading the book "Managing the Mobile Workforce: Leading, Building, and Sustaining Virtual Teams" co-authored by Michael Kroth, associate professor of organizational learning and leadership at the University of Idaho with David Clemons, founder of Achieve Labs Inc., an educational solution connecting learning and mobile technology. The book outlines the case for developing a mobile workplace strategy and the key components for successful implementation using best practices from companies such as LEGO, Citrix and Hewlett-Packard.

As part of our ongoing focus on mobile and collaboration, Michael graciously shared with me his thoughts on the new mobile workplace.

First things first, tell me what prompted you and David to write the book?

"My friend David Clemons and I were mountain biking one day and as we enjoyed a post-ride cup of coffee and a bagel our conversation turned to the mobile workforce. His business, LearnCast, provides great easy-to-use online tools that support and enable organizations that want to go mobile. (At the time he was just getting started, today he has global clients who are rocking the world of mobile work.) My writings and interest had always been about what it takes to create healthy highly motivating work environments. We decided that day that we could learn a lot from each other and from the process of writing a book that combined the two interests. We both felt that the timing was right for this amazing movement to mobile work so decided to go for it. It's been a fabulous experience for us as friends and it's been very rewarding to contribute this incredible move to mobility that is happening worldwide."

If I'm a company considering telework, what's my big takeaway from reading the book?

"The principles of managing mobile workers are the same as for managing co-located workers - but the practices, emphases, and effort can differ. Part of the challenge of working with people who aren't right there is to realize that distance is more than geographic - it is also cultural, emotional, and social. We talk a lot about "presence" - the sense that you are there even when you aren't - as well as trust, autonomy, and motivation."

What do you feel mobile technology can bring to collaboration efforts?

"The better the technology the fewer barriers to communication; the more opportunities for sharing than there ever would be if limited to who you could get into a room or information you could find in a physical library; and the more colorful and complex the kaleidoscope of perspectives from which the group can draw."

What would readers learn about mobile collaboration from your book?

"We have a chapter about developing virtual teams where we share a different configuration of the forming, storming, norming, and performing model most folks are familiar with, and which might make more sense for virtual team development. We start the chapter by comparing virtual teambuilding to what occurs with millions of people playing online games like World of Warcraft every night. Then we share the experiences of mobile managers and thought leaders we interviewed from such places as LEGO and Hewlett-Packard. And lots more!"

Many thanks to Michael for sharing this thoughts and expertise. I really can't say enough good stuff about his book. Go check it out at Managing the Mobile Workforce.com. And you can follow Michael on Twitter.

It's the most wonderful time of the year...back to school time! If you're a teacher like me, it's also the busiest time of year - lesson plans, building presentations,  making videos and rubrics, and anticipating all the new school year will hold. 

One of the things I love best about being a teacher in the 21st century is being able to leverage technology inside and outside the classroom to connect and collaborate. It's something I've had some great success with in the past couple of years, and I'm only continuing to build upon what I've learned. Currently I'm teaching classroom based, online and hybrid courses (the latter being a mix of online and classroom-based) at the post-secondary level. In addition, I am a partner in a successful new media consulting and production company, so I don't spend all day long in the classroom sitting at a desk. I must be mobile and I must be able to connect with my students when they need me.

The Right Tools for the Job

I have a laptop equipped with an Internet rocket stick, as well as an iPhone and an iPad. My students are encouraged to contact me outside of class time via email, Skype, Twitter, or Facebook - and they do. I promise them 24 hour turnaround on a response, and with about 70-100 students per term across all my courses, it's vital that I have access to these tools all the time so I don't end up with a backlog of questions. At any time I can link up a screen-sharing session on Skype to help a student with an issue. I can be notified on Twitter when someone has a question, or participate in a group chat with the class on Facebook.

I don't HAVE to be online and available 24/7, and I do shut it down. But as a teacher, I think being accessible to my students is vital. Often it's outside of class time when they will run into issues or have questions, and it's my job to be there to help. Using the right combination of hardware and software, I make my life easier by being able to connect and collaborate from wherever I am.

Connecting to Each Other

Not only do these tools enable students to connect with me, but they also facilitate connections with each other. For my classroom-based and hybrid courses, I always set up a closed Facebook group for each class at the start of each term. This is a space where students can connect with each other outside of class, via their computer, tablet or smartphone. They use the space to share relevant links and help each other out. Some teachers are reluctant to get on Facebook with their students. However, closed groups are a great way to collaborate with classes without having to be "friends" with students - so if that worries you, then set up a closed group. That way, you can connect on one level and your private photos remain private. Last term, my class Facebook group was so successful that my students asked me to turn it into an Alumni group after they graduated - and they are still connecting there!

I often have guest speakers into my classes; experts from industry who come in to share their perspective on the course subject matter. Sometimes, my guest speakers aren't in my city, and my college definitely doesn't have the budget to fly people in - not to mention the people I bring in are often on the road themselves, so may need to connect to my classroom from their hotel room in Norway. This is where online meeting tools come in handy. I can start a meeting with the guest and we can see and hear each other clearly - it's like she's right there with us! Students can ask questions, concepts can be explained on a virtual whiteboard or via screen sharing, and everyone has a great experience.

Ultimately, when it comes to mobile collaboration with students, it's not about the tools - it's about connecting and sharing and learning. But having the right items in your technology toolkit can make your life as both a teacher and a student more rewarding. Give it a try, and let me know how it goes!

Photo Credit: C.C. Chapman

While I am a frequent workshifter, I am not a very mobile one. I may work in different rooms in my house during the day, but when I work from home, I tend to stay home. That's where my kids and my stuff are, and I don't have to dress up.

Because I mostly workshift from home, I've never felt the need for a mobile work device like a smartphone or tablet. I still have a plain old clamshell cell phone.

But next month I am stepping outside of my comfort zone. I'm going to a conference. In Cleveland. Which means I'll have to travel. Which means I'll have to take notes. And which means I'll have to mingle with strangers who'll wonder, "Why doesn't this woman have a smartphone?"

Of course, I'll have my laptop with me to use on the plane and at the hotel, but I don't want to lug it with me to every session.

So I'm considering my options:

1. Buy a smartphone - goodbye clamshell, hello data plan charges. But I'll be better connected to work, and I'll look cool.
2. Buy a tablet - it's easier to watch movies and read on a larger screen. And I'll look cool.
3. Buy a netbook - like a tablet, but easier typing. I could leave the laptop home. But a netbook would be slightly less mobile and slightly less cool.
4. Borrow one of the above - and risk losing a friend when I break it.
5. Remain a luddite* - stick to pen and paper and be proud of my unique handwriting.

*Ludd·ite: A person who shuns modern technology and yet pretends to be cool.

Any recommendations?

Photo Credit: yamagatacamille

Two recent surveys by the Small Business Authority make for interesting reading. Perhaps not surprisingly, uncertainty about the U.S. economy has been identified as one of the top three challenges facing small businesses, fueled by ongoing concerns about the growing U.S. debt and deficit (46%) and over-regulation (35%). Economic uncertainty is once again seen as the greatest obstacle to hiring more employees (55%).

Contrast this with another finding which revealed that 71% of small business owners had never heard of cloud computing. It went on to show that of the 29% of those questioned who had heard of cloud computing, 74% could not describe just what cloud computing is. Not surprisingly, many small and mid-size businesses are apparently still struggling to understand its relevance to them.

How are these two situations related? Well, with business confidence wavering, shrewd executives should be looking for ways of running their operations more efficiently. Taking advantage of new cloud-based computing solutions might well prove to be highly beneficial, enabling organizations to free up capital, with more predictable associated operating costs, enabling organizations to just pay for what they use.

Cloud computing can be very simply viewed as on-demand computing services delivered by third parties over the Internet. Historically, in order to do tasks such as word processing, a business needed to buy a computer and license the relevant application that was installed on the device, often known as a server. The application was invoked through another computer (or client) and the user created the necessary files, which in turn were stored either on the client or on another computer on the office (local area) network. Backups of files, particularly data files, had to be made, so that if the computer storage failed, the user did not lose all their data - those precious digital letters, presentations, models and other documents upon which they, and their business, depended. All of this required upfront capital outlay - the business had to pay for these assets before they could use them - only to witness them depreciate over time. For larger businesses, it often became necessary to hire people with expertise in these systems just to fix things when they went wrong and to help keep everything running efficiently.

With cloud computing, organizations no longer have to own the servers, the storage, the networks and the applications that they once had to purchase in order to be able to undertake business. All that is now required is browser-based access to the Internet from any preferred device (desktop, laptop, smartphone, or tablet). A wide range of both free and subscription-based services are then immediately available on-demand to the user. No additional hardware or software needs to be purchased upfront, and the business essentially pays for the services it uses. Files can be stored locally or in the cloud on the service providers' computers where they are professionally managed. Furthermore, there is no need for the business to require dedicated IT support staff to help maintain these systems.

So all your stuff can now live in the cloud. Instead of having to go to work in your office, (whether it be a home, remote or official location), where most of your stuff still physically resides, you can now go to work in the cloud - your own office but now residing in the Internet. It's cheaper, arguably more secure, and typically accessible 24x7; best of all, it allows you to focus on your business and not on the technology needed to run it. Instead of owning computers on which to work, you simply have a device from which you can access your own personal cloud. All the stuff you need to digitally work or play is always at your disposal on your preferred devices, enabling you to do what you want, as you need. With your office in the cloud, you may not even need all that physical office space that was once so necessary and you can save on commuting related costs. So, welcome to your new office in the cloud - the place to be as the economic climate becomes increasingly stormy!

Photo Credit: dannykboyd

Several years ago, I wrote about the role of impromptu telework after an ice storm shut down parts of North Carolina. For those caught without power, workshifting was an effective, albeit makeshift, solution to keep themselves productive when Mother Nature did her worst.

Visiting Los Angeles this week with my family, I discovered first-hand how traffic is a crab walk here at the best of times. Having heard our trouble, a friend who commutes daily from Santa Monica to Beverly Hills added that the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority would soon be shutting down 10 miles of Interstate 405 for 53 hours to tear down an overpass.

The closure, scheduled for July 16 and 17, is expected to affect a half-million drivers. Few believe officials' promises that it will be completed by Monday morning's rush hour. Many are anticipating traffic chaos that will dwarf the usual snarl.

Some are already preparing for what's being likened to as a Northeast pre-planned "snow day." Rumor has it many commuters with a choice are planning long weekend getaways and mini-vacations.

Think about the lost productivity.

Why not workshift instead?

Why not plan ahead, discuss the situation with employers, employees and coworkers, arrange to bring home work that can be done outside the corporate office, and avoid the snarl - and excuses - altogether?

Alternatively, find or create a telework center or temporary workspace where people can continue working without having to traverse the affected 10-mile zone. It could be an executive suite or idle space at a peer's location. Contact your attorney, accountant or other professional services firm to see if space may be available.

Then, assuming this impromptu telework "pilot project" or telework center experiment succeeds, explore expanding it into a regular telework program. All it takes for most will be a computer with Internet access, relatively comfortable workspaces and a mind open to new possibilities.

The company may benefit from increased productivity - in both good times and bad - beyond this one-time opportunity. Next time construction (or poor weather or an earthquake) shuts down an interstate or otherwise makes transportation impossible, people in unaffected areas can continue working.

As we were traversing the L.A. freeways this week, we were aghast at how long it took to drive even a short distance. It would seem L.A. and workshifting were made for each other - even without the impending chaos of a 10-mile closure of the 405.

Photo Credit: Bugsy Rocker

Most people would agree that when you vacation in a foreign country, it's best to stay with a local (or at least spend some quality time with one). I would say the same is true for workshifting.

My recent workshifting trip through Denmark was probably the best vacation/work/travel I have ever had. My Danish hosts were not only warm and welcoming, they treated to me to a taste of Denmark I would not have had the opportunity to experience otherwise. From traditional Danish food and drinks, to spending time with the family, to seeing the city sights and enjoying the beautiful country serenity - I got a complete insider's peek into Denmark.

Workshifting was easier while I was in Denmark too. This surprised me since I thought it would be hard to find time to work when staying with a friend. But in fact, my hosts and I often set up shop together; at the kitchen table after dinner or on the sofa over coffee and butter cookies, laptops and phones would appear and we'd get some serious work done. Staying with my friends also meant a guaranteed wifi connection - something that has proven a bit allusive on this trip. Most coffee shops, restaurants and hotels do not offer open wifi like they do in the U.S. Happily, I purchased an international data plan for my phone before leaving home (a must if you plan on doing any email, social sites, maps, etc. while traveling). I have not purchased a European SIM card for my iPad (as you need to purchase one for every country you plan on using the device in), so the lack of wifi access has been a challenge for being able to get most of my regular work done. The good news? In Germany, you can get 2 free hours of wifi access at Starbucks (and most of the staff at these stores speak English so they can answer any other basic questions you might have). There are also a great deal of T-Mobile hotspots in Europe, so purchasing a monthly plan is also a pretty viable option at 29 Euros.

My other main learning on the trip is that while most businesses are accustomed to accepting plastic for payment, many will not accept a card that only requires a signature (i.e., a credit card). Your debit card will often work since it will require you to use a PIN, but many businesses only accept an European Community (EC) card (which are currently only available in Europe). So be sure to bring your debit card along and carry plenty of euros to take care of a night's stay in a little B&B or breakfast at a little bakery in town.

In spite of how technologically advanced the European economy is, there has still been a great deal of amazement at how simply we are able to travel and work. Our tools are basic but effective - the bike, a computer, a phone and a wifi connection are all we need.

It's never a good time to take a vacation. There's always a reason to wait until next month, next quarter, next year... Eventually, you have to just jump in and decide, okay, it's time to take a break or do something a little bit different.

The problem for me is, making a trek to anywhere that requires a passport means I definitely want to go for more than 1 or 2 weeks, and ideally it would be for more like 3-4 weeks. But who can afford to be completely away from the office for that long?

So, about a month ago I casually mentioned to my co-worker at Citrix Online that I would love to workshift from charming cafés while cycling through the European countryside. The next thing I knew, she, my manager and I were planning the trip!

Using GoToMeeting and GoToMyPC, I can work from anywhere (I've done it many a time when traveling home for the holidays or visiting friends), so why not workshift while doing some of the other things I enjoy? I love cycling, and I've been dreaming of another trip to Europe since last I went in May of 2004.

Now, I'm in Germany with my partner, Carlos, a brand new tandem bicycle, three changes of clothes, an iPad, an iPhone, a couple of cameras, GoToMeeting and Citrix Receiver. The journey will be 6 weeks total: 3 weeks on the bike and workshifting, 1 week working at the Citrix Synergy event in Berlin, Germany, and 1 1/2 weeks of pure vacation in Spain. (Yep, going for a complete "unplugged" experience in Spain - though I do have peace of mind knowing I can easily check in if needed!)

The adventure has begun and I am already meeting and connecting with people from all over the world - which is a large part of what this trip is about for me. In fact I've already worked with one of my Danish colleagues at his home in Slangerup. I had breakfast with him and his family one morning, raced with him in a bicycle criterium that afternoon, and later we worked together from his kitchen table - what a great way to spend the day and evening.

I'm excited to see how this experience takes shape and looking forward to learning new tricks for being totally mobile, both while traveling and working. I hope you'll follow along as I learn and share - and I hope you'll share any advice you have for me as well!

There are a lot of ways you can check in with me from my web site, Kelley Checks In, to all my social sites including Twitter and Facebook.

Okay, so I have returned from my workshifting train trip from NYC to Miami, and yes I am fully aware of how crazy that sounds.  I traveled on Amtrak for the duration of the trip using something that's called a USA Rail Pass.  Basically, you receive 8 segments in 15 days for just under 400 dollars, which considering how late I booked it, is a pretty good deal.  It was a total over over 60 travel hours.

Look, its no surprise that taking a train that distance will not be as time efficient as air travel.  However, I decided to take a train to mix things up a bit and investigate whether workshifting was indeed possible all the way up and down the East Coast.  

Now, for the question of whether I remained productive.  You know how when you get on a plane, you can just crank out work because there are no distractions?  Yeah, it was like that, except for 60 hours instead of six.  It was beautiful.

From a workshifters perspective, Amtrak trains are pretty solid.  They boast big, comfy chairs, probably the equivalent of First Class on most airlines.  They also have working outlets for each passenger so you can stay charged up at all times.  And of course, you can't beat the scenery.  No, the normal trains do not have WiFi, only some commuter trains do.  But I use Verizon Wireless broadband anyway which is built into my netbook.  I was very impressed with Verizon's service.  I had access to WiFi for the entire trip.  There were plenty of spots where I had no cell phone coverage on my T-Mobile Android device but was able to keep working on my netbook.

All in all, the trip was fantastic.  I was able to remain just as productive if not more so, while soaking up beautiful scenery, meeting some very interesting people and visiting some cool spots in the US.  I love experimenting and pushing the boundaries with workshifting because I believe we have reached a point (at least in most of the developed world) where work is truly what you do and not where you sit.  The ability to workshift is not just about productivity and connectedness, its about freeing yourself to take an adventure and bring your work along with you.  And that's exactly what I continue planning to do. :)