One of the great things about being a financial advisor is that you deal almost exclusively with information, which can be moved around — meaning, it can be handled anywhere.

So, why do it from the office? In fact, as we move into the autumn and winter, why do it in this country at all? Working remotely is becoming increasingly realistic.

In fact, for advisors at a certain stage of their careers, the low cost of technology and the ubiquity of Internet access makes it possible to travel extensively while keeping up on all of your work commitments.

I recently conducted an experiment along these lines. I took a working holiday to Puerto Vallarta to see if I could fill my work commitments and stay in touch with my clients — all while living a cheap lifestyle in a holiday environment. It worked. Three weeks later, I had earned considerably more than I had spent, and enjoyed a whole series of new experiences in the process.

Here’s what you need to make this happen:

> A Reliable Laptop. When travelling, your computer will be your linchpin. Pick a relatively lightweight, powerful device (I chose a MacBook Air) with sufficient memory storage for your needs. I prefer solid-state storage to mechanical hard drives. Although more expensive, this kind of storage is less prone to hardware failure after suffering heavy knocks while being transported.

Ideally, you will have a backup machine where you are staying. An alternative is to use a service that guarantees a replacement device delivered to your door wherever you are. Research this before you travel.

> Cloud-Based Backup. Data backups are even more important when working remotely than they are in the office. In the office, at least, you probably have access to other resources that can save your bacon in the event of your hard drive’s crash.

You can take along a portable hard drive to back up your data, but be aware of issues such as local humidity. In some climates, devices may fail earlier than normal because of adverse conditions. Truly savvy travellers also will encrypt their backed-up data using an online service. There are many such services available, such as Mozy and SugarSync.

> A Solid Internet Connection. You will want to research this before you go. The Internet will be your lifeline back to your corporate services and data — and to your clients. How reliable is the Wi-Fi connection where you will be staying? How fast is it? Also, consider the amount of telephone time that you’ll be needing — and consider an Internet telephony account. I spoke to all of my interviewees and clients via Skype, and also conducted video calls. Conference calling worked seamlessly. It cost me around $20 a month for a global calling plan.

> Consider A Virtual Assistant. If you don’t already use an assistant, consider hiring one that can work remotely. I was able to minimize my working time by handing off administrative tasks to an assistant who dealt with them all for me. I communicated with my assistant via email and Skype, and my requests landed in my inbox.

> Use Online Resources. The cloud isn’t just for backup. It can be used to organize your working life, especially if you are working with an assistant or another party to organize your work.

I use Google Calendar for scheduling, which drops all of the necessary appointments and details straight into my desktop and iPhone calendars as my assistant books them. Contact management is equally easy when synchronized with an online address book — encrypted, of course — and this also has the added benefit of resilience. If your laptop dies, the contacts are on your phone. And if you drop your phone in the ocean, everything is accessible in the cloud. IE



Next month: How to work remotely without a laptop.