| The freedom and independence of working from | | | | Tips for how to Manage Teleworkers: |
| home for professionals can be the Christmas | | | | The Virtual Office, Staying Connected: The proper |
| Wish that finally came to be. This absolute desire | | | | use of technology can assist the virtual worker in |
| to Telework requires managing strategies that | | | | feeling connected to the staff and provide them |
| adapt for the virtual workforce. In 2005 | | | | with a sense of collective problem solving. Utilizing |
| approximately 22.2 million Americans teleworked, | | | | tools such as Internet Seminars, PowerPoint, |
| that is they worked from home or another | | | | Online Meetings, Workshops and Remote PC |
| location distinct from their main office. According | | | | Access, are some of the teleworking tools |
| to The Telework Coalition, this stat increased | | | | available today. Clearly this technology has been |
| 30% from 2004. Given environmental concerns | | | | available for years and employers are just now |
| and the desire for Professionals and Companies to | | | | getting a sense of their powerful benefits. |
| seek out productive alternatives to the standard | | | | Virtual face time is another real asset of these |
| way of growing a business, this figure will surely | | | | technologies as they are able to see and hear |
| increase in the years ahead. | | | | their co-workers. The video and audio conference |
| Close examination of the advantages and | | | | call are ideal for tools for this. So finding ways to |
| disadvantages of Teleworking reveal the potential | | | | implement video conference calls, is important. |
| obstacles as well as opportunities both | | | | As indicated above, the Virtual Worker can feel |
| Management and the Teleworker may face. | | | | isolated. Therefore, management must make an |
| Fundamental advantages for the Teleworker are: | | | | active effort to stay in communication with the |
| First and foremost is the absolute savings in | | | | teleworker. It could be as simple as acknowledging |
| precious time and commuting costs. | | | | their accomplishment on a project via a |
| With the saving of time normally lost on the | | | | complimentary email, or the occasional phone call |
| commute, the Teleworkercan get off to a | | | | to say hello and review projects coming up. |
| quicker start in the morning, using that time more | | | | Probably the most important aspect of this is for |
| efficiently. | | | | management to be sincere and meaningful when |
| Reduced Absenteeism due to the flexibility factor. | | | | they contact the teleworking employee. |
| The self starter, which would be a trait of the | | | | Have the IT Department ready to help with the |
| Teleworker, would have the freedom toplan their | | | | computer crisis that may overcome your virtual |
| work tasks to perfectly fit their day. | | | | worker. Just because they are not in the office, |
| Without the commute and with the ability to | | | | doesn't mean their broken computer drives them |
| tackle their tasks without intrusion, the | | | | less crazy. |
| Teleworker may experience higher job | | | | Choose the Right Type of People to be |
| satisfaction. | | | | Teleworkers: Sounds simple right. Choosing the |
| Disadvantages the Teleworker may face: | | | | independent minded, self starter who can take a |
| Without a separate home and work environment, | | | | task from A to Z without their hand being held |
| the Teleworker may come to feel theyare never | | | | through the process, is a great start. If you're not |
| away from their work. | | | | making a lateral move with someone, and are |
| Family and all the distractions that come with | | | | hiring for a Telework position from the outside, |
| them are inevitable, therefore the | | | | people with a background in consulting, |
| Teleworkermust learn to fairly divide their time | | | | Independent Contracting, Sales and Marketing are |
| between the two. | | | | a brief example of individuals who can possess |
| Strangely enough, overworking when working | | | | the fundamental traits for Teleworking. |
| from home can happen. The Teleworker does not | | | | Management must Trust their Decision that they |
| begin nor end their day the way the average | | | | Selected the Right Person for a Telework Position: |
| worker does, so their is discipline required in | | | | If you call and the teleworker is not at their desk, |
| knowing when to "shut down". | | | | don't assume they're "loafing around". They could |
| Being away from the office can cause the | | | | be taking a break, stretching their legs, or having |
| Teleworker to be less aware of changes in the | | | | lunch. Distractions at the office are plentiful, such |
| company. | | | | as personal emails, water cooler chit chat, |
| The Teleworker may be concerned that they will | | | | be-laboring issues, and more, so always keep in |
| not receive their proper share of guidance and | | | | mind that getting the job done is a lot more |
| expertise from management, being that they are | | | | important than where the job gets done. Trust |
| not physically visible everyday. | | | | your decisions, and allow your Teleworker the |
| Of course, there's the feeling of being isolated | | | | space you've given them. |
| that can overwhelm as well. | | | | |