Networking Tips for Telecommuters

Recently, there has been much talk in the media about the benefits and drawbacks of telecommuting. Despite some high-profile companies scaling back, continued growth in telecommuting is still projected.

Networking is one of the biggest challenges of telecommuting, but it is certainly possible with some extra effort and planning.

• Mix things up a little by working at a café, coffee shop, or bookstore once a week. You never know who you might meet by simply being out and about, and you’re still being productive.
• Join a networking group like MeetUp. This worldwide organization, with over 13 million members, brings together those with similar interests, in areas such as photography, music, entrepreneurship, travel, general business networking, and much more.
• Make a habit of going into the office periodically. Occasional face time is important, and it’s an effective way to build relationships with your co-workers and clients. Additionally, use teleconferencing tools, such as Skype, as another way to stay tied to colleagues.
• Join LinkedIn, with over 200 million members in 200+ countries. Build a profile and start by connecting with people you know. Then, ask them if they are able to help you connect with contacts who best mesh with your needs and interests.

The thought of networking makes some people cringe; it can all seem so self-serving and phony. If that’s the case for you, try changing your perspective a bit. Try networking at events and online without expecting anything in return, but rather, with the goal of helping others. It can take the pressure off, yet you may still end up meeting valuable contacts and advancing your career.

Is Working from Home Right for You? Ask Yourself These Questions.

As technology advances, more and more companies are allowing their employees to work from home, at least part-time. Also, many entrepreneurs run their businesses from home to save overhead and avoid the cost of a physical office. As someone who has worked from home for the last 7 years, I know very well that there are pros and cons to the situation.

Take it from someone who knows, working from home is a constant challenge and a daily blessing all wrapped into one. I work hard every day to make it work for me. How do you know if it will work for you? Take the quiz below to find out if you are suited for working from home.

Are you self-motivated?
When you work from home, there is no boss looking over your shoulder. There is no one to see if you are working in your pajamas or sweat pants. Productivity can be a challenge when you work from home if you don’t have the self-motivation to get the job done.

Do you have discipline?
When you are home, there are always chores calling your name. A task that should have taken you 15 minutes ends up taking an hour because you stopped to fold laundry in the middle. When you work from home, it is best to treat your job like an office job. That means no dishes, laundry, or television during work hours!

Are you easily distracted?
Kids, dogs, internet surfing, television, the book you are reading; the distractions are endless when you work from home. The people who are most successful at working from home schedule time in their day to “goof off” and enjoy the distractions of their home.

Do you mind working odd hours?
When your office is at home, you can work most any hours. I sit writing this blog at 5:30 am. I would never go into an office at this hour. I make the sacrifice to work early in the morning and late every night so that I can pick my kids up from school, go on their field trips, help them with their homework, and put them to bed every night.

Are you able to easily separate work and home life?
When you work from home you need to find a balance, otherwise you will end up resenting your work. Make the rules of how your home life will interact with your business and how your business will play a role in your family. Then make sure everyone in your home – including you – is aware of and committed to sticking to those rules.

Do you have a space that you can dedicate to an office?
It is best to have a room that you can walk away from and close the door when you are finished working for the day. However, if that is not an option, set aside a corner of a room where you can avoid distractions and concentrate to get your work done for the day.

Working from Home: Key Success Factors

Whether you are self-employed or telecommuting, the freedom and flexibility of working from home can be exhilarating, especially after years in an office environment. You’ll delight in the opportunity to think through ideas without interruption, and the flexibility of working around key personal commitments is invaluable. You may also find, though, that there can be some challenges as you make the transition to working from home. For a successful transition, consider the following advice:

Preserve the professional mindset: Get dressed and maintain a set work schedule. Align your work schedule with normal business hours, if applicable based on the job and any agreed-upon working arrangements with employers or clients. Consistent work hours are particularly important if you are telecommuting; you need to be available for the core hours your company will keep.
Be accessible: Make sure you’re accessible to your clients, boss, or coworkers. Use the advantages of technology that make communicating or working with clients from anywhere seamless, such as smart phone and/or dedicated phone land line/message service, fax machine, web conferencing, file hosting service, etc.
Maintain a workspace: Dedicate a specific physical location as your workspace and contain your work to that area so it does not overtake your home. Make sure it is private and that members of the household are aware when that space is off-limits. Have a signal when you are unavailable (e.g. door closed, sign on door).
Keep networking: Networking is a key success factor for any job, but consider it even more vital when working from home. Taking breaks in your day is necessary and combining this with networking is a smart approach. Not only may it lead to your next assignment, but continuing to exchange ideas and get input/feedback from professional colleagues will enhance the quality of your work.