Stoney Roads is in an unconventional position at the moment. With a new site just launched and Ubbs happy snapping around New York with his girlfriend, I’ve been left to my own devices to direct the company (muhahaha). Having placed a large list of business objectives prior to Ubbs leaving, a game plan was required to help transcend our communication clearly across seas and timelines.

Admittedly being placed in the Microsoft Connections bloggers program means we kind of got kitted out like a James Bond of the small business world. Gadgets at our use include the pro Surface 2, Nokia Lumia’s and a heap of Microsoft software that helped us bridge the gap. So in turn, we wanted to share our top 5 tips for “What to do when your mate is living it up on the other side of the world, and you want to get shit done.”

1. Tablets

We have these little brain boxes known as Surface Pro 2s and they’re the pretty dope. They essentially take up minimal space while having a mobile keyboard that connects to the pad like a magnet. There’s nothing worse than having to lug a computer out of a bag while you go through the bloody security check at an airport. With a tablet, you avoid that all together. Did I mention ‘dat battery life? (Awesome)

2. Meetings

It needs know introduction but hell for the sake of those who live under a rock: Skype
You can video, voice call, call to land lines, send files, and group video chat for free. We semi hit the jackpot because if you get the Surface Pro 2, you also get complimented with 12 months free Wi-Fi on Skype’s servers.

3. Storage

Get a cloud storage account, like OneDrive. Simple stuff, sign up and store heaps of pictures, tunes, and working files you got to share it up. The Microsoft blokes say, as of July, if you have Office 365 you get an epic 1TB of OneDrive storage.

4. Socials

Get Kik, SnapChat and any other apps available so you can show off how dope the warehouse party in Brooklyn is. (Yeah, I’m totally not jealous)

5. Music

Shazam, Playlist and Share via Xbox Music – When you’ve got your down time in an airport etc, hear tracks out and about, Shazam them, find them on Xbox Music, Build out a playlist and share for free!

This content has been created as part of my involvement in the Microsoft Connections Program