According to
Remote Tribe, a “location independent business” is a type of venture or organisation that does not have a physical office or expects the owner (or the team) to be together in the same location – i.e. an office. The term has been used interchangeably with “remote working”, or “digital nomad lifestyle”.
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This concept of this type of entrepreneurship has become very popular since 2000 and has even been seen as a way of running businesses, whether great or small, since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. There are a thousand and one businesses that can run without a physical permanent office.
With your phones or laptops and sufficient connection, you can run your business effectively. However, some hitches can affect remote working or location independent businesses. In this article, I offer five tips for running a location independent business.
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Look Out For Good Accommodations
Running a location independent business comes with a lot of challenges that can put the entrepreneur under stress. One of such challenges is good accommodation, especially when the entrepreneur is always on the go. Of course, there can be cases where the entrepreneur is just starting and getting good accommodation might place a huge hole in his budget, and he might want to squat with friends and family. This might not be a good idea.
Staying in spaces where you won’t be convenient might put a strain on you and your business. Therefore, getting good accommodation, especially when you’re not moving out of that location in a long time, is the best option. This is better than renting a coworking space.
In cities like Lagos, getting a good coworking space will cost you N30,000 per month, but good accommodation goes for at least N5,000 per month. Therefore, renting an apartment is your best bet. Hence, look out for an apartment with good airing, lighting, and space. Likewise, a quiet apartment or locale is very ideal for location independent entrepreneurs.
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Plan For Quiet Time
Having a plan for quiet time is very pivotal for running a successful location independent business. This is especially true when you will have to engage coworkers in a Zoom call or Zoom conferencing. Sometimes, you need all the peaceful atmosphere when drafting your proposals, coding, or doing one or two graphics designs for your clients. Studies have shown that a noisy environment affects productivity negatively.
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Therefore, to create a quiet time you’ll need to plan to find a local library, coffee shop, or shared workspace, because you just can’t get it done in a moving vehicle. You will also need to figure out spaces where there is a Wi-Fi facility or if the location is strong enough for your hotspot. Therefore, ensure you plan and get this in place.
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Plan For Good Wi-Fi
Location independent businesses run on good network connections. Reliable Internet is a must for LIB. Whether you choose to use your mobile data, get broadband, ensure you have an ample budget for an internet connection.
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Adjust Your Hours
Running a location independent business requires adjusting your hours. Working remotely can take a huge toll on you if you don’t regulate an appropriate time for each activity of your life. Remote working can be sapping, especially as a new entrepreneur. Even working as a team in a remote working situation, time management is very paramount. When hours are not adjusted, it can make travelling a little more difficult. It can cause you to sleep at odd hours or work around the clock. Furthermore, if your team is operating in different time zones, it means you might adjust your hours, even if it means sleeping or working at odd hours.
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Cut Down Equipment
As a digital nomad or location independent worker, travelling around with bulky loads can be troublesome and draining. It is advisable to pare equipment so that you can easily navigate the hurdles that come with remote working. For example, if you create content with videos, you replace your digital camera or video recorder or camera with an iPhone 12. Furthermore, if you are a researcher, rather than investing in hardcopy materials, ebooks, and other digital products are the best way to go. In all, cut down excesses.
Featured Image Source: WebDev Success
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This article was first published on 13th January 2022
nnaemeka-emmanuel
Nnaemeka is an academic scholar with a degree in History and International Studies from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He is also a creative writer, content creator, storyteller, and social analyst.
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