3 Things You Must Do If You're Using a Mobile for Business

These days your mobile phone or tablet can be used as a mini-computer when you’re away from the office, allowing you to manage your business from almost any location. Whether you're using an iPhone, BlackBerry, or Android phone (or an iPad, Galaxy Tab, or Xoom), these three things are imperative before you step foot outside the office with your mobile device.

1. Set it up with a password or passcode

If you lose your phone or tablet, would you want all the contacts, emails, and documents on it to fall into someone else's hands?

All mobile devices can be set with a password or passcode/number lock, and you should absolutely set that up—now. Typing in a short code each time you use your phone is worth it for the security in case of loss or theft.

Don't forget to set up the auto-lock, so it locks itself after a few minutes of inactivity.

2. Back it up

Yes, your phone and tablet can be backed up to your computer, so make sure to do it regularly. Your iPhone backs up to iTunes, BlackBerry backs up with BlackBerry Desktop Manager, and Android offers cloud backup with Google and third-party apps.

We recommend a backup at least weekly, so that if you lose your device (see item #1), you can be back up and running within a few hours. By keeping your device backed up, you can minimize your potential down time.

3. Know how to put it on silent mode, how to turn it off, and how to reboot it

You should know how to put your mobile device on silent mode—before your next important meeting (or your next movie, for that matter). Some devices have a hard switch, while others do it in software; make sure you can set it to silent in a few seconds.

Ditto for turning your device off. Devoting 100 percent of your attention to a potential client during a presentation, instead of being distracted by a ringing or buzzing mobile device, demonstrates respect and a willingness to focus on your client's needs.

You also need to know how to reboot your device, which is not the same as turning it off. If it's not functioning properly, a reboot often solves the problem. Learn how to do this before you find yourself unable to access valuable information on your phone or tablet because it has crashed.