Workcations are becoming more popular than ever.
It’s true. The line between work and travel has officially been blurred. Hybrid and remote working allow professionals to work wherever they want. Whether that’s an office building in Madrid or a beachfront café in Cape Town.
But there’s a problem…
Just because you can work from anywhere doesn’t mean you should work from anywhere. When professionals start taking their careers on the road, tons of unexpected challenges come up. Like tax complications and reliable company mailing address solutions.
There’s more to being location independent than checking your email from a tropical beach.
What you’re going to learn:
- What Is A Workcation?
- Why Workcations Are Exploding Right Now
- Challenges Remote Workers Face On The Move
- Setting Up Your Business For Location Freedom
What Is A Workcation?
“Workcation” is one of those perfect mashup words. It’s just what it sounds like. Working while on vacation.
Remote professionals take their careers with them when they travel. Working from exotic locations has become so popular that countries around the world are offering special visas to remote workers. Over 50 countries now offer “digital nomad visas.”
As popular as working from vacation destinations has become, there are still many logistical things every professional should consider before taking their job abroad.
One of the biggest things people don’t plan for? Mail. How will clients and customers send anything important if the recipient is always moving around?
A virtual address for businesses allows remote professionals to have a reliable company mailing address that they can use no matter where in the world they’re working. Keep mail reception simple, and look professional while working from anywhere.
Why Workcations Are Exploding Right Now
Speaking of everywhere…
Look at this:
The number of hybrid workers who said they extended their holiday to find a remote working location jumped to 60% in this year’s survey from 36% in 2022.
There’s never been a greater demand for workcations than right now.
Why? Well if you’ve been following the remote working trend these past few years, it makes perfect sense. Remote professionals have already proven they can perform their jobs outside of the traditional office setting.
So now that everyone knows they can… why not work from paradise?
The benefits of working from unique locations are endless. Not only do remote professionals get to experience new cultures, but they’re likely seeing increased productivity too.
Research from the same study shows that 87% of hybrid workers say being able to work from wherever they want makes them more productive at work.
That same number of respondents reported less burnout. More flexibility.
Employers are catching on too. Companies that offer flexible working options have reported voluntary turnover rates as low as 20%. Employees are three times more likely to stay at a company that lets them work remotely.
Win. Win.
Except…
The Challenges Remote Workers Face On The Move
The grass is not always greener on the other side of the world.
Keeping Up With Business Mail
It’s probably number one on every remote worker’s list.
But has it been thought through enough? When professionals are jumping from city to city, mail isn’t going to stop flowing. What happens to it?
Using a home address won’t cut it if nobody is actually home. And through a P.O. Box might seem like a good idea, they’re not always accepted for business transactions.
Not having a permanent company mailing address to receive important business mail is one of the number one reasons professionals fail at working from locations abroad.
Tax. And Legal Stuff.
Nobody likes to think about it.
When professionals start working from different locations, they open themselves up to tax obligations in those areas. Each state has their own rules regarding income tax for remote workers.
Not researching the requirements can come back to haunt professionals later. And the tax office does not understand when money is owed.
According to FlexJobs, 85% of workers say the ability to work remotely is more important to them than salary when it comes to evaluating a job.
But not everyone realizes that with that freedom comes a tangled mess of tax complications if you’re working for an employer in one state, living in another, and working remotely from a third.
Moral of the story? Talk to a tax professional.
Staying Connected
This goes without saying, but proper internet is essential wherever the work happens.
Missing a meeting because the Airbnb Wi-Fi couldn’t stream video is NOT what anyone wants happening on a workcation.
Good news is: infrastructure is better than ever for remote workers hoping to travel.
Many popular workcation spots rank in the top for broadband connectivity. Tokyo, Seoul, Barcelona, Budapest.
Professionalism
Last but not least. Clients and coworkers will still expect remote workers to look and act the part.
Sure, working off a surfboard might look good in person. But until it’s socially acceptable to receive business mail on a surfboard, a remote professional needs to appear professional online.
That means having a reliable company mailing address, answering phone calls professionally, and making sure there are reliable communication tools in place.
Working from Bali is cool. Letting clients know you’re living the professional life there is even cooler.
Setting Your Business Up For Location Freedom
Here’s the thing about workcations…
If you want them to be successful, you have to plan for them to be successful.
Here are a few of the easiest things you can do today to prepare for remote working adventures:
Sort Out Your Company Mailing Address
First things first. Get the mailing address sorted before leaving.
Pick a reliable company mailing address that will stay the same no matter where the business goes. A virtual business address makes professional mail reception easy and keeps everything organised from anywhere.
Invest In Tools That Work From Anywhere
Remote professionals need to invest in the right tools to keep themselves productive.
VPNs, cloud storage, video conferencing, and project management systems are all necessary to keep remote workers feeling at home anywhere in the world.
Don’t skimp on the tech.
Communicate With Clients
Take control of the conversation with clients and coworkers.
Are you in a different timezone? Tell them. Make sure everyone is aware of when you’ll be available to take calls and collaborate.
Setting communication expectations early can avoid a lot of issues down the road.
So There You Have It.
Workcations are booming. And they’re not going anywhere.
98% of professionals want to work remotely at least some of the time. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re a part of that number.
Working from anywhere is an amazing opportunity. Make sure the business is set up for success before taking the leap.
One of the best things any professional can do when preparing to work remotely is make sure the operational side of the business is locked down. A reliable mailing address, professional tax handling, and working tech can set anyone up for success no matter where in the world they are.
The world is your office these days. Ensure your business can work wherever you roam.
