In a non-descript building in suburban Tampa, Florida, resides the nexus of Verizon Wireless’s customer experience.

It’s the experience that occurs after the new wireless customer has left the retail showroom, after the first bill has arrived, when a question arises or when it’s time for an upgrade and a live operator must get involved.

Verizon Wireless call centers belie the traditional image of row after row of non-descript workspaces.

It’s an experience handled by one of some 1,200 live operators (CSRs, or customer service representatives, as they’re called) at this six-story building just off a bustling throughway. The wireless carrier’s Florida Customer Service Center handles calls from across the state. The center is one of 24 nationwide, but it’s anything but typical.

And though it’s a call center, don’t come in thinking you’ll see row after row of stereotypical phone banks. Read More »

Mark Hayes with Fox Atlanta and Ruth King with On The Ribbon Business Network were two of the hosts we visited with during Home Office Highway '09.

Home Office Highway was created to showcase the latest in mobile technology. Among the people we met and discussed Mifi, netbooks and various accessories with were Mark Hayes with Fox Atlanta Channel 5 and Ruth King of On The Ribbon business television.

From camping overnight in the Fox TV parking lot (so to be sure we wouldn’t miss the 7am call time) to driving through Atlanta to find Ruth’s office, it was a day of adventure.

Hopefully, we left behind some valuable insights, too.

‘Home Office Highway’ RV Road Show Reveals Latest Digital Lifestyle, ‘Location Independence’ Technology

Coral Springs, FL (July 8, 2009) – Want to hit the road – but don’t think you can leave the job behind? Then take it along for the ride.

This summer, the “anywhere” office comes to life as Home Office Highway ’09 reveals the technology, tools and strategies that make taking a vacation a guilt-free and productive adventure.

The two-week road show and social media event will bring “location independence” to the open road in a recreational vehicle equipped with the latest small office technology. Hosted and produced by technology, telework and home office columnist expert Jeff Zbar, the tour will take his family throughout the American South, visiting small towns and popular tourist destinations – and revealing just how productive a traveling family can be. Read More »

What defines your perfect mobile office?

I was reading Trend Spotter this week and came across Nissan ‘s (not so) new mobile office concept vehicle. Except that it cannot sleep a soul, it’s a pretty cool active workplace.

Unveiled at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, the NV200 sports a well-hidden, full mobile office in the rear. Though its target apparently is “ocean photographers,” I could see this as a little giddyup run-about for Home Office Highway’ers and active teleworkers.

Read More »

Home Office Highway always was envisioned as a two-part program. First, a family would travel the highways and byways — and see how technology would keep a business owner connected to work back home, and vacation on the road.

Second, we wanted to share the tools we used on the road. More than 60 people entered the Home Office Highway drawing for a chance to win an Ativa wireless router, surge suppressor, USB flash drive and “Cable Burrito”; a Targus Flare laptop bag, and even a copy of the Home Office Highway booklet.

So watch the drawing and to all those who entered, accept out thanks.

… you’ll know you’re coming up on Home Office Highway.com. Graphic designer Angela L. Moses at JMM Graphics in Parkland, Fla., worked with DigiGraphics in Dania Beach, Fla., to create the vehicle signage for the ZRV.

We’re on Turn Three of pulling the tour together. A few details left to iron out. Check back in a week for the FREE downloadable booklet, Home Office Highway: Where Vocation Meets Vacation on the Open Road. It’s packed with useful strategies and tips on the technology needed to work successfully from the road — and ways to keep your work schedule and client expectations in check.

Departure Countdown: One month until the RV hits the road. The partners (Office Depot and Verizon Wireless) are in place, and the family’s getting excited.

I visited our RV partner, RV Sales of Broward, to check out the recreational vehicle we’ll call home for three weeks. While it’s no John Madden-esque luxury coach, it’ll be perfect for the tour.

It’s a 23-foot Fleetwood Jamboree. It’ll sleep our family of five comfortably, and not chug the petrol like a much bigger coach. Apparently it’ll get somewhere near 10 MPG. Now I’ll know what a once-proud Hummer owner feels like as oil tops $137 a barrel.

Now’s the time to start getting the fine-print details into place:

– Signage. I contacted a local vendor who’ll print and install laminate signage for the sides.

– I ordered a copy of Over the Road Wireless for Dummies (Wiley, 2006), and downloaded a copy of Marcia Yudkin’s Taking Your Business On The Road. Written from her two-month sabbatical across the U.S. and Canada, this is quickly becoming my must-read tome on the work-from-the-road advanture.

Much to do, and time’s running short. Have ideas, links or resources for me to explore? Send them along.