Ten Tools and Tips for Working Remotely at the Beach

One of the biggest benefits to business owners using cloud-based software like WorkflowMax is the fact that you can work from anywhere in the world. If you can get an internet connection, you can access all your files, projects and accounts from your laptop, tablet or smartphone. It makes it easy to relax on holiday knowing you can check in and get things done at any time.

We want to help prepare you for this work revolution by giving you all the tools you need to be productive, wherever you are. 

Here are our picks for the top tools you need to get your work done from the beach this summer:

1. Solar Charger

The beach has pretty much everything you could want … except a power outlet to give you some extra juice. If you don’t want to be trudging back to the hotel to charge your devices every few hours, then pack a solar charger, like this cool design from Suntactics. Simply set the panel up in the sand and let the free juice keep you going all day.

2. Cover Up

Even though you’ve come for the sun, it doesn’t mean you should be sitting under it all day. It can be easy to get distracted by work and realise you’ve been in the sun for several hours without sunscreen and you are now as red as a lobster. As we say in New Zealand - Slip, Slop, Slap - Slip on a hat, Slop on sunscreen, and slap on some sunglasses. You’ll have a great summer and won’t come home with peeling skin or melonoma - both of which could severely cramp your style.

3. Stay fed & hydrated

Managing your jobs and doing your accounts from the beach can be thirsty work, so make sure you have a steady supply of healthy snacks and - most importantly - drinks at hand.  My favourite beachside drinks are juices, made from real fruit and vegetables; an instant energy boost when you find your spirit flagging. Stock a chili bin like this one from Coleman with lots of yummy healthy treats, and you'll be set for the day.

4. Blast Some Tunes

I often find I work much better - or work is more fun - with some music in the background, and while perhaps you wouldn’t find equal enjoyment from my death metal playlist, you could rock out with your own tunes with this Exogear Eco-Extreme floating speaker case. Simply choose your playlist, lock your MP3 player inside the waterproof compartment, and you’re ready to go.

5. Made in the Shade

I find that while I love basking in the sun, having it directly overhead while I’m trying to work can seriously impact my ability to focus. Stay cool in the shade with an epic unbrella, like this sport-brella - it’s nine-feet wide and has optional side flaps you can pull down and secure on the ground, for all-round shade and comfort.

6. Secure Your Valuables

 What happens when it’s time for a break and the surf’s calling, but you don’t want to leave your expensive company laptop or tablet out for anyone to nick? You can pack all yourvaluables up and lock them away in this Vacation Vault - it uses a three-digit combination lock, and you can secure it to a chair or table to prevent anyone walking off with it.

7. Dry Yourself Off

 OK, I never thought I’d fall in love with a towel, but there’s a first time for everything, right? This vertty towel is a super funky geometric shape, is handmade from eco-friendly fabric that will dry faster. The vertty towel also includes a waterproof pocket to keep your valuables safe and sand-free.

8. Look Like a Boss

I can’t speak much for the guys, but if you’re a lady working while on holiday, you still want to look and feel awesome, as well as show off a bit of your (probably geeky) personality. I love Black Milk Clothing for awesome printed swimsuits - they stock Harry Potter, Adventure Time, Disney, Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones and other fun swimsuit designs.

9. Drinks - Delivered

This is more of a silly frivolity than an actual necessity, but hey, we are living large on holiday, right? This is an all-terrain, Electric Amphibious Drink Butler - it will carry your drinks across sand and water, and even has a little spritz gun to keep you cool.

10. Your Cloud Software Suite

Of course, all these gadgets will only help you get your work done if you’re able to do work remotely in the first place. How do you get that functionality? It’s simple - by moving to cloud-based software systems. Whether you need to do your accounts, collaborate on files, or manage jobs and projects, there’s a cloud solution out there to suit your business … and your lifestyle.

Right, well, now that you know what you need to pack for the beach, I’m off to talk to the boss about some time off… 

What tools are must-haves for you when you’re working at the beach?