Business travel is challenging enough without the rigors of running an office. But with so many jobs these days requiring extensive time on the road, mobile executives have had to learn to manage staff in absentia by combining the latest tools with new skills. In effect, they have become virtual managers.
Technology creates an environment that allows for mobility and productivity to coexist.
A combination of technology tools enables the virtual manager to recreate the support services of a traditional office. With a laptop computer, for instance, executives can stay connected to the head office without being tethered to a desk. The most common types of virtual work setups for a cybermanager and his staff include home offices, telecommuting centers, mobile offices and hotels. They are all slightly different versions of a virtual office - with many of the same benefits and pitfalls. A home or small office can be a room, hallway or any space executives choose to work in.