A few days back while we were in Atlanta, I arranged an interview with Ruth King of On The Ribbon.com and the Profitability Channel online television network. Notwithstanding the ingenuity of creating a full-on TV network that runs over the Internet, we had a good chat about the powertools of the mobile home office.

Talk about preparation, Ruth had me prepare a pre-interview doc on the must-knows of our adventure. My list follows:

Choosing the Right Tech
* Internet is Critical. Period. My aircard has been invaluable. Alternatively, find a park with…
* Wi-fi or Broadband Access Card. This will provide…
* Access to Data, Documents & Email. Very important:
* My HP Compaq 2710p tablet notebook Laptop, accessories & devices that mimic the Home Office. From card readers to power strips and surge suppressors and — Ruth really liked this — my USB cable light, which illuminates my workspace without waking a sleeping family, we’ve got a fully functional home office here.

Setting Up the Perfect Mobile Office
* Consider Your Needs / Envision Your Space. All I’ve needed is the dinette table. Of course, that means the family cannot sleep there. But small price to pay.
* Create a “Portable” Office That Packs Away. That would be my Foray Mobile Workmate. Another of Ruth’s favs.
* Remember Security For Data & Devices. My cable locks provide ample protection — and peace of mind — when we’re not in the home office.
* Make the Mobile Office Portable with PDAs – and Paper. Our Verizon Dare and Voyager phones have been great. The Navigator GPS on the Dare has been a handheld wonder.

Managing Client & Family Expectations
* Tell Clients You’re Leaving. Tell ’em Again. This is key. While I took some heat from readers about my taking a “workation” at all – as mention in my recent profile on the Wall Street Journal Independence Street blog by Sarah Needleman, this three-week tour is about creating balance, not scuttling a business. Work had to be done. Balance had to be achieved.
* Reduce Workload, but Deliver Deadlines
* Remind Family This is a ‘Workation’
* Most Important: HAVE FUN!

The one I forgot is about my own expectations. All throughout this trip, I’ve tried to balance my workload with our family’s vacation. It’s been a work in progress. I continue to awaken early, which helps: Today, I filed a column and four biographies before anyone rustled from their slumber.