Be productive on the road

Sales reps spend an average of five hours a day in their vehicles, according to Mobile Technology Products, Fremont, CA.

The company publishes a 20-page booklet for salespeople that includes 66 tips on working more efficiently and safely from a mobile office.

Here are some of the tips provided by George Phirippidis, president of Mobile Technology Products:

•Â Carry spare laptop batteries. Your batteries may die when you need them most.

•Â Store your cell phone out of sight when you're not in the car. This will reduce your risk of theft.

•Â Use an in-car cellular phone holder. This will keep your phone secure and make it easy to access.

•Â Keep the majority of your paperwork, samples and product literature in your trunk. This keeps your car interior clean and reduces the risk of theft or break-in.

•Â Organize an area in your trunk for emergency supplies.

•Â Clean out your trunk monthly. Purge outdated material and update your product files.

•Â To help prevent leg and back fatigue, position the driver's seat so that your right leg is slightly bent when placed on the pedal. If your leg is fully extended, you may pull the muscles in your rear leg and lower back.

•Â Store any heavy items toward the end of your trunk to reduce the risk of back injury when lifting the items.

•Â Consider using a voice organizer to record ideas that come to mind while you're driving.

•Â Schedule regular maintenance and tune-ups for your car. This can save you time and money later. PR

The booklet is available for $10 directly from Mobile Technology Products' mail-order catalog by calling (800) 426-3453 or via their Web site at http://www.mobilegear.com.