Remotely Close: Working from Anywhere? Draw the Line in the Sand!(Tech Talk)

• Author: Blitz, Adam

I consistently talk about how I can work from anywhere. My office is completely mobile, my files are all accessible online and I can easily connect with my clients electronically. The only problem is that this is a lie. And I bet you or your staff lies about it too! The lie is not that I can't do it. The lie is that other factors inhibit me from working. When I talk about working remotely, I'm talking about the day-to-day preparation and review of workpapers, tax returns, meeting with clients, connecting with my in office staff, etc.

My office is set up probably similar to yours: a comfy chair, desk, big monitors and space to spread out documents or files. My office is relatively quiet (with some light music in the background), has a dock for my laptop and phone, one-click printing access and a healthy dose of team banter. This setup provides me the opportunity to concentrate, focus, and work diligently to complete tasks and contemplate new opportunities.

My "remote office" is my 15-inch laptop computer--no mouse, no 10-key, no extra screen--which is usually surrounded by a couple pieces of paper that always seem to get a coffee stain on them, some headphones and a really uncomfortable chair at the coffee shop. The differences in my surroundings of working anywhere vs. in my office ensure that I struggle in the following categories:

* Focus/Concentration: I'm in Santa Monica about three weeks a year visiting friends and family. When there--as opposed to Fresno--and my option is to hang out with my family at the beach or go to the ($12 a cup) coffee joint to plug away on an uncomfortable chair ... I end up at the beach. And when I do end up at the coffee shop, I find myself distracted by the surroundings. With every intention to get work done, call clients, respond to emails, prepare returns, I cant get around the fact that my technology allowing me to work remotely also doesn't allow me to work at the speed I'm used to.

* Efficiency: The lack of speed incurred due to my lack of concentration brings me to efficiency. How did any CPA ever work without multiple monitors, a full size monitor and a mouse? I was lucky enough to "hotel" at a local accounting firm in Los Angeles during my recent stay but, guess what, I started talking to the partners and other staff about how they work and the daily struggles that they run into. So whereas my intention was to work and found a great place to get work done efficiently (in a comfortable environment...