Since Feb 2007 when we moved out of the city to a rural area, I've been a full-time telecommuter - initially with the two companies I had been working with on-site for the past 5 and 2 years respectively, and since July, with a company on the other side of Australia who acquired one of those companies.
The first week after the acquisition, the parent company flew all the employees and me (the only contractor) to their head office for face time, inductions, and the like. That week was SO valuable in establishing relationships with members of the team. Since then I've flown to HQ only once, and then only for 2 days - it was like meeting old friends. Because I had that face time early on, conference calls, emails, IMs, general phone calls etc. have been so much easier to deal with - they know who I am and I know who they are. So for anyone telecommuting on a long-term basis, esp. with a company who is new to you, try and schedule some time in the office early on so you can get a sense of the corporate culture, as well as the people you'll be dealing with on a daily basis. I agree with the person who mentioned speaking up in conference calls! Just make sure you mention your name as you do so, so that others who don't hear your voice every day recognise you. "Rhonda here. I think that..." I love telecommuting, but it's not for everyone. You have to be disciplined as it's easy to get distracted. And sometimes you have to be hard on those you love and say "No, I can't do that as I'm working." (My parents live an hour away now, and initially thought they could just pop over any old day of the week. My client knows which days I'm 'on deck' for them, so I had to be strict with my folks and say "not on those days".) Rhonda (living the 'tree change' and loving it!) Rhonda Bracey [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cybertext.com.au AuthorIT Certified Consultant -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Sue Heim Sent: Thursday, 22 November 2007 4:01 AM To: Cardimon, Craig Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: [TCP] Telecommuting has mostly positive consequences Again, corporate environment plays a huge role in the success of this. I don't miss "face time." I don't miss people at all. I'm on IM, email, phone calls, conference calls all day long. I don't even NOTICE that I'm not face to face with someone. When I am in the office, I do make a point of doing the rounds to say hi to most everyone (including those I may not work with often). But I disagree that face time is a worthwhile investment. It may be in the corporate culture in which YOU work, but it's not in the culture in which I work. I'm "seen" getting things done without having to be physically present. It takes a very specific type of person to successfully telecommute 100% of the time. Someone who works from home 2-3 days a week may not be successful at 100%. I just interviewed someone who works from home 2 days a week, and I don't think she'll be successful working remotely all of the time. ...sue ______________________________________________ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com _______________________________________________ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
