A 'digital nomad' is a term used to describe a person who uses wireless technology in order to work from anywhere. The trend is rising in popularity, as more and more workers recognise the benefits of going virtual.

Global IT hardware company Dell have even set up an online community of 'digital nomads', with the aim of creating a common virtual base for wandering workers. Their definition is: "Digital Nomads live a lifestyle where their laptop and other electronic devices create the center of their office and/or play-space."

The idea is certainly becoming a popular one, as the company reports that their digital nomad site is receiving tens of thousands of hits a month.

Research suggests that the evolution of a digital nomad is a natural one. The internet allowed millions of people all over the world to connect, and gradually these people started working from home. Now, with widespread Wi-Fi, many have chosen to escape their home office and commune in other areas, where they can benefit from an interactive environment and bounce ideas off other like-minded individuals.

So how does the digital nomad fit in with a virtual office?

Business people with no need for a fixed office can carry out their work at home, in a café, in a hotel lobby - in fact anywhere with a wireless internet connection. But when it comes to meeting clients, sometimes it's not always acceptable to carry out a conference in this sort of location. And that's where a virtual office comes in.

With a virtual office, businesses get a professional business address, a location for meetings, and a friendly receptionist to answer calls when they're unavailable. The service is there without tying workers down to a physical office. In fact, the whole appeal of a virtual office is that businesses don't want or need a building to work in on a regular basis - much like the ethos of the digital nomad.

An article by the Washington Post sums this up perfectly. Citing Frank Gruber, an employee of AOL, the article states that his cubicle farm office in Dulles "is so drab that there's nothing more to say about it, which is why the odds of finding Gruber there are slim."

For the digital nomad, their working environment can bring many benefits. Human contact, idle chit-chat, networking opportunities, exchanges of ideas, a flexible working day, informal work wear, and - perhaps best of all - no rush-hour commute.

As reported on the Washington Post, Marilyn Moysey, another individual who chooses a virtual location over her office, says:

"There is no hope for the road system around here," while Tom Folkes, an AI programmer, is a self-confessed "extrovert working on introvert tasks". He adds: "If I’m working at home by myself, I am really hating life. I need people."

Virtual is a "win-win" for business

Mary Barnes of AOL claims in the article that the digital nomad movement is a "win-win" situation, as it boosts employee morale and enables the company to gain valuable industry knowledge, insights and contacts.

Furthermore, having a virtual office in a specific location can help to boost this notion, as employees or business owners have the option to visit the office, and even hire desks on a regular basis. This can help add a more formal touch to the 'nomad' existence - and boost networking opportunities in different business circles.

There are many benefits of a virtual office, and working from home has an abundance of merits too. But perhaps one of the best features to come out of virtual working is that employees can now be productive from just about anywhere. For business owners and start-ups this is invaluable, as it becomes possible to check emails and progress business in a variety of locations.

In the words of Frank Gruber and partner Jen Consalvo, digital nomads from Shiny Heart Ventures: "Thanks to ever-evolving technology, we can now be productive from almost any location. And while we understand that there is no place like home, we like to think we have many homes - the primary one being the World Wide Web."

For more details about setting up a virtual office to help your business venture, stabilise your digital nomad existence, or to boost your company image, speak to one of our consultants for free advice. You can also search for virtual office locations on our website at virtualofficeworld.com.