Over the last year and a half I have been working primarily from my home. This option is becoming increasingly popular in the business world today. The advancement of technology such as Microsoft Lync, which allows you to hold meetings with video and talk seamlessly with coworkers through a secure instant message system, makes it easy for teams to communicate from around the state/country or even world.
Employers are seeing the benefit of recruiting talent without being limited by geographic market. Though many employers and employees are taking advantage of the rising popularity and ease of “the mobile worker”, it doesn’t come without a few headaches!
First, let me admit that I truly enjoy working from home. I am an introvert at heart and do my best work uninterrupted with only my furry co-workers to bug me. That being said, you miss out on a lot by working from home – nothing can replace the culture of working in a team environment daily.
I’ve learned a couple things over the last 18 months about working remotely…
Start the day right – the night before or while drinking your morning coffee, take a few minutes and write down the 3 things that you MUST get done that day. Whether it’s tasks that others are waiting on you for or steps in a project, this will help start your day off right.
OVER communicate – some important successful person once said “communication at its best is poor”, so make sure to let your boss and co-workers know if you’re going to be “late” to work that day or if you need to take a long lunch. This way everyone knows when they can count on you and don’t have to wonder if you are sitting in your living room watching Walking Dead re-runs.
No kids allowed – I have determined that it’s impossible to get just about anything done on a computer while a baby/toddler is at home! They can sense when someone sits down at a computer…It’s better for you to take them to a daycare/grandma/friend and give your employer your undivided attention. I know this one isn’t for everyone, but it’s a big advantage if you can!
Furry co-workers are the best – seriously, working from home is more fun with pets. That’s all.
It’s not for everyone – Although I really enjoy working from home and find that I accomplish work well and still feel connected to my team, many people I know really do not enjoy working alone. My sister, for example, would go crazy if she had to work from her home! A lot of people need the human interaction daily to do their best work.
Your own work space – I love having a spot in the house that is dedicated just to me and my job. Whether it’s a corner desk in your living room or an entire office, having a space that the family knows is your work environment and where you can keep your stuff is important.
Good technical support – Wow. I don’t know how I would work so fluently from home without the support of my tech department! I am a little computer illiterate, so when something comes up, I really appreciate being able to call my tech support and get help! I know you’re thinking “well you work for a tech support company!”. This is true, but our company provides this very same service to other businesses as well.
Trusting Team – Mavidea has a very unique culture. We focus a lot of energy on personal development and team growth. We are also small but mighty, meaning that each team member is needed and a portion of the company’s success is on each of our shoulders. At Mavidea, we trust our teammates to complete their jobs without the need for micromanagement – at the end of the day, we will be able to tell if that job hasn’t been done. You need a team like this to work from home – a team that trusts you to do your job and do it well.
I do go into our office once a week to have meetings and talk with my team, if you live close enough to your main office I highly suggest it! You don’t want to miss out on all the greatness of your company’s culture and building friendships.
Do you work from home? What do you love or hate about it? Let me know in the comments below!
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