How to be a Successful Remote Employee

Tis the season for winter weather delays. Although everybody loves a winter wonderland, many businesses struggle with winter commuting and productivity. Remote desktop technology takes the pressure of traffic off employees and keeps them safe from icy roads.

Beyond bad weather this technology can be used in many situations, such as traveling salespeople or extended maternity.  Some businesses have hired permanent remote employees to cut back on office space costs. In fact, 40% of IBM’s employees are out-of-office, which saves them a bundle on real estate costs. Here are a few tips to being an effective remote employee:

Not Dressed for Success

• Constant Contact: Stay in constant contact with your office. Make sure your instant messenger is logged in and your cell phone is fully charged. You are working hard and make sure your office knows. Set up weekly video chats for face time with the boss.
• E-mail Etiquette: Review proper e-mail etiquette and answer e-mails promptly. E-mails and IMs are minefields of miscommunication so be careful that you are clear and concise.
• Create an Online Office:  A plethora of online tools are ready to help keep you connected with your coworkers. Use Google Docs to create documents that are easy to share and collaborate on. Dropbox is an online storage program that lets you save projects so you can work on them from any computer. If you are working on a group project the site “Bubbl.us” is great for brainstorming and comparing ideas.
• Dress for success: I know it’s tempting to spend the day in your pajamas but studies show people that dressed in work appropriate attire were happier and more productive. So no bunny slippers during that important conference call.
• Stay Consistent: Working from home is not a free ticket to sleep in. Keep normal working hours and be aware of time-zones and holidays.
• Remote Work Agreement: To keep things working smoothly write up an agreement that specifies expectations from both parties. It helps clarify your hours and clearly defines your role as a remote employee.

Remote desktop technology is a growing phenomenon and has many benefits for any business.  Computerbilities offers competitive rates on configuring these technologies for various businesses. Remote Desk Protocol (RDP) comes standard in Windows XP and under the managed service package our technicians can keep remote desktops running efficiently.