I saw a post – " 20 things every Internet entrepreneur should own " – and it got me thinking about what would be in my toolbox.
In no particular order, here's what I would include:
• A comfortable chair. You don't need a $1,000 Herman Miller Aeron but having a chair that feels good is important, given how much time you will probably spend in it.
• Two monitors. It will improve your productivity by providing more real estate to display Web sites and applications.
• A good desk. Another "real estate" asset to make sure your work environment is comfortable and productive.
• A computer with enough memory and processing power to be a workhorse.
• A good mouse. Think about how much time you'll spend together. It's worth the investment to buy a good one.
• Accounting and invoicing software or online services to track all the business that will hopefully come in the door.
• A back-up system in case your computer melts down. It can be an external hard drive or an online service.
• Business cards. Sure, they're old school but business cards are tangible, portable and a great way to leaving a lasting impression. A business card holder is a good accessory.
• A good briefcase or satchel. You'll probably be mobile, so it's important to have something to carry your laptop, notebooks, and other items. Again, spend more, since it will be a long-term investment.
• A Moleskin. Not particularly 21st century, but having a place to quickly write notes is always a good thing.
• A whiteboard. Do you sense a theme here? Great for brainstorming and having a place to keep track of ideas and events.
• A good printer. Depending on your needs, it can range from a simple black and laser printer to a multi-function device that includes a fax machine and scanner.
• A smartphone such as an iPhone or Blackberry. You'll likely be out of the office often, so being able to stay in touch and access the Web makes a lot of sense.
• A personal website that tells the world who you are, what you do, and how to contact you.
• A personal or corporate e-mail address rather than a Gmail or Yahoo account.
• An online e-mail account such as Gmail or Live.com that pulls in your e-mail so you can access it from any computer, anywhere.
• A Linkedin profile. It's an online resume to build up your digital presence.
Special to the Globe and Mail
Mark Evans is a principal with ME Consulting , a content and social media strategic and tactical consultancy that creates and delivers 'stories' for companies looking to capture the attention of customers, bloggers, the media, business partners, employees and investors. Mark has worked with three start-ups – Blanketware, b5Media and PlanetEye – so he understands how they operate and what they need to do to be successful. He was a technology reporter for more than a decade with The Globe and Mail, Bloomberg News and the Financial Post. Mark is also one of the co-organizers of the mesh, meshUniversity and meshmarketing conferences .