For George A. Phirippidis, the plight of the mobile businessperson is no laughing matter. In 1990, when the former sales representative could take no more of the product literature mess occupying his car trunk, he created a trunk rack that made organizing the paperwork a snap. "I quickly realized I wasn't the only person who could use a system like this," remembers Phirippidis.
What later emerged was the Car-Go-File-and a new business, Mobile Technology Products, in Fremont, California. Phirippidis' 15-employee company now boasts an impressive array of mobile gadgets and goodies for entrepreneurs and employees on the move. Handy gizmos ranging from cellular phone accessories and personal digital assistants to the Seat Pal lightweight workstation and the Soilguard vinyl trunk protector can be purchased at Fry's Electronics and GTE Mobilenet in California or by mail order; call (800) 426-3435.
Having the right products, insists Phirippidis, is key to helping road warriors reduce waste, save money, cut back on stress, and improve time management by up to 40 percent. "To be really productive," says Phirippidis, "you must have the phone in a safe place and have a workstation environment in the car. Then you need the trunk organized so you can file materials and keep extra supplies." Take a cue from Phirippidis and don't get stressed-get organized!
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This article was originally published in the February 1996 print edition of Entrepreneur with the headline: Biz Traveler.
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