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Telecommuting -
Making it Work
Nimish Thakkar, MS, MBA,
CCMC, CPRW
While
telecommuting options are a dream come true for many employees, the
downsides of telecommuting often make it hard for even the most
dedicated professional. We have outlined a few tips to enable you to
enjoy the perks of telecommuting while minimizing the disadvantages.
Don’t forget you can still visit the office
If telecommuting is a full time benefit offered by your employer, you
are in an enviable position but don’t forget you can still visit the
office a few times every week. Whether to submit a report or to attend
a meeting, showing your face once in a while helps you refresh
connections and allows you to be on the radar, especially for
promotional considerations.
Host bonding events and in-person client meetings
Even if you can’t visit office regularly, host bonding events for your
company’s staff and clients. From grab-a-cookie meetings to mini
workshops and networking events, the opportunities (and excuses) for
bonding are endless. Regular people contact will keep you motivated
and connected while still allowing you to reap the advantages of
telecommuting.
Be your own PR machine
If you are telecommuting more than a few days a week, it is very easy
to slip off the radar and go unnoticed even when you deliver
significant results. On achieving every milestone, drop in an e-mail
to key stakeholders and concerned senior management staff. If you are
afraid of sounding egotistical, give your e-mails the tone of an
update or a “thank you for your guidance”.
Create a work zone
Most telecommuters complain of being unable to resist the temptation
of quickly responding to an e-mail at midnight or taking away family
time during weekends to get an edge on important project. Don’t forget
why you opted for telecommuting in the first place. Create your own
work zone where you can be undisturbed while working but don’t
hesitate to lock that area after regular office hours.
Take regular walks
Lunch hour is your time, so don’t miss out on refreshing walks and
short breaks.
Attend workshops, training sessions, and conferences
It is very easy to lose touch and miss out on professional development
opportunities if you are working alone. Sometimes, the competitive
spirit weakens if you don’t see peers upgrading their skill sets. Set
aside a professional development budget and calendar to keep your
skills up to date.
While telecommuting options are a desirable benefit, it is important
to manage your work from home opportunities wisely. Following the tips
outlined in this article and a few others you can get the most out of
your telework while still not missing out on the advantages of onsite
work.
Nimish Thakkar is a certified career coach, outplacement consultant,
and resume writer with ResumeCorner.com and SaiStrategies.com. Thakkar
holds two graduate degrees, including an MBA. He has worked with
thousands of clients and has authored over 100 articles.
Related Articles:
Telecommute Work Resources
Telecommute Jobs
Telecommuting
Career Management
Networking
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