The “Telecommuter’s Toolbox”

At iNET, one thing we recognize we have to be really good at, now and in the future, is working with remote employees. While we have 12 full time folks in-house, there are 5 more of us that work remotely from home. As we grow, organically and through acquisition, we’ll have to be masters at managing remote staff–since it’s likely not everyone that will join our company will be working here in the office with us.

While there’s a lot we have to do here to make staff at home feel like one of the team, there’s a lot that remote telecommuters can do to keep their sanity without co-workers to lean on (though that’s not always a bad thing–LOL). I found a great blog post the other day at Lifehack.org, where Thursday Bram describes some of these techniques in The Telecommuter’s Toolbox. If you work from home, or if you think you might want to work remotely, she has some invaluable tips that you might not have considered. Here are a few snips:

• The Meal Plan: “Planning ahead of time what we want to eat, from lunches to snacks makes it easier to shop and can help prevent a telecommuter from getting off track by having to focus on what to eat.”
• The Insurance Policy: “And even on the off chance that your employer covers your computer under their policy, you’ll need an insurance policy to cover your other stuff at risk for theft (television, etc.).“
• The Outside Office: “We’re social critters and we like working with other people around us. Coffee shops serve this purpose, as do libraries, bookshops and co-working locations.”
• The Alarm Clock: “Telecommuting is about flexibility, but without setting your ‘hours of operation,’ you may be too flexible to get your work done.”
• The Exercise Regimen: “There are a whole slew of health problems desk workers face, most of which can be mitigated by the occasional lap around the block.”
• The Business Card: “Many managers think face time is a prerequisite for promotions, not to mention raises. As a telecommuter, it’s up to you to network and build up your options for advancement.”
• The Snack Cupboard: “Stocking snacks and drinks in your home office can help you from needing distracting breaks from your work. Even better, you can stock healthier snacks and the flavors you like best.”