The last week before Christmas is always a challenge in any working environment as people start to wind down for the holidays despite there still being hours left to put in at the office. As I came to the end of my second month as a remote worker, the challenge to stay focused was as large as ever and so I thought I’d reflect on how you can improve your experience of being remote whether it be Christmas, Spring or Summer!
TREAT OTHERS HOW YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED YOURSELF: It’s not about bragging about what you have done or “being seen” for the sake of it BUT it is important to keep colleagues informed of what you are looking to accomplish in the coming days, weeks and months ahead. Then make sure you follow up with a review of what worked and what didn’t. Keep in regular contact with them and hopefully they’ll remember to keep in more regular contact with you.
DO BE SEEN: Again, it’s not about being seen for the sake of it but try to get to the office when you can. And when you do make sure you have constructive, meaningful, productive conversations with your colleagues.
TEAM BUILDING: When you are with your collegues take any opportunity to get to know people. This may sound a bit fluffy but understanding a bit more about your colleagues in a non-work context can totally transform relationships.
FIND A PLACE TO BE PRODUCTIVE: When I’m doing my job well I shouldn’t be at my desk too much as I should be out visiting customers and attending events but sometimes being at home can be lonely. So, from the start of 2014 I’ve made a resolution if I don’t have meetings to try to get out at least once a week. Work in the coffee shop or café, a serviced office space or (weather permitting) from a park bench. I find that having people walking around makes me feel more productive and keeps me focused.
GET FEEDBACK: Make sure you’re getting feedback on your work and you know you’re on track with what is expected of you. It’s sometimes hard to ask but it’s important. “Do you feel I’m on track with X? Are you happy with what you’re seeing with Y?”
KNOW EVERY COLLABORATION TOOL: Use an instant messenger application to stay in touch with colleagues without clogging up inbox’s with the sort of quick question you’d normally ask across the office.
Use video conferencing teamed with visual collaboration software such as SMART Meeting Pro to allow users to create and capture ideas in the virtually unlimited interactive Unbound Workspace, as well as make notes over any available application, keeping meetings organized and making it easy to communicate outcomes.
Conferencing and collaboration applications provide both hard, quantifiable benefits and many soft, difficult-to-measure benefits to remote workers; and they are certainly far more than just a simple replacement to travel. These solutions provide better ways to communicate and work, enabling workers to do more than just exchange information, they also provide an environment for productive interaction.
BE AVAILABLE: A caution to this one: Be Available During Work Hours. Don’t overcompensate and be the person who is online at 5am or answers emails on Sunday. Just make sure that from 9 to 5 you are 100% available via SOME way that your colleagues know about.
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