Mobile offices becoming the new normal

Contributor

Did you ever think of the day in which people would resort to moveable vehicles for personal office space?

The rise in mobile offices seems to be the order of the day, as business owners are now adjusting to these mobile vehicles because of their convenience.

Stuart DuQuesnay, the owner of Supreme Audio and Electronics Co limited, reported that he started the mobile office initiative because of his desire to bring newness and diversity to the market. “I’m always looking for new avenues to propel the company further. So, I’m always searching to see what America and the rest of the world are offering, so that I can implement it in Jamaica.”

He added that, in developing these offices, he ensures it is to the client’s liking and desire. “I have to find out what the client needs and wants. So certain special requirements that they demand, we try to build or tailor the unit specifically for that client.”

DuQuesnay reported that, in one of his recent projects, he had to transform a transit vehicle into a mobile office.

“We turned a coaster bus into a mobile office. So, we decked it out with office chairs, desk, an eating room, kitchen area, and a space in which it could transport approximately eight persons.”

He further said that, as it relates to the features of these offices, the company can offer anything mobile related.

“We have built from a pin to an anchor, meaning that we have turned a 40ft container into a mobile stage. Recently, we have done a mobile bar where we converted an entire unit to a bar area. It had light, sound, and liquor. It basically was an entire party, all that we needed was the patrons. It was just a one-stop shop.”

DuQuesnay also mentioned that more businesses are adapting to these mobile offices.

“I think the mobile office is much more convenient than the traditional office because the regular office would require an entire day or two to set up a bar, sound system, or light, but the mobile office would be ready in a matter of minutes.”

However, despite these benefits of a mobile office, he highlighted, Jamaicans are not really aware of this initiative.

“I don’t think mobile offices are well known by the Jamaican society. We are still clinging on to the traditional way of having an indoor office, and if entrepreneurs are leaving their personal office, they want to rent another office space. So, I don’t think they understand that this is an option.”

When asked how this business can reach a wide populace so that more individuals are aware of this initiative, he added he has been advertising these vehicles on social media. “We have gone to the Facebook pages, but, in order to raise more awareness, we will have to go back to the drawing board.”

He further stated that most of his clients are getting accustomed to a mobile office. “Most of our clients are adopting this form of office, and I honestly believe this is the way forward. Also, with the case of the pandemic, having a mobile office is easier to operate for better relocation purposes.”

He also mentioned that the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) is the company that powers mobile offices, and sometimes solar panels. “If we are using regular JPS equipment, we have banks of batteries and inverters and solar systems sometimes to maintain a mobile office. Also, most of our clients are committed to going green, so we don’t have to pull all this dirty energy from the grid. Hence, a mobile office is self-sustained.”

He informs that mobile offices operate the same as a normal office. “It’s just a regular office, the only thing is that it’s on wheels. So, if the vehicle is a solar-operated one, once it’s left in the sun, all the equipment will maintain enough charge and backup energy to keep files and data secured.”

He further explains that most entrepreneurs use the mobile office as part of their regular business. “Mobile office is just an extension of their regular business, and so it represents growth for the existing business, because people are still being employed.”