Telecommuting is certainly an interesting topic....and it has been around for
years and years, so we have some experience to learn from. It does cause
managers and employees to be more clear about performance objectives and
outcomes. That's a benefit! Of course, it also assists employees with
managing their lives. If an organization enters into it in a signficant way,
it can reduce overhead costs as well.
There are many stumbling blocks, too, for the manager and the employee.
Social connections, equipment purchase and support, trust, boundaries on
hours worked, teamwork. Alll of these can be addressed and overcome with
intention, communication and maturity.
I have some resources; designed and managed tools for employees and managers
when I was internal. I also am currently engaged in a very interesting
project with a client where we are looking at the management skills needed to
manage remote workers, whether telecommuters or in remote offices. I will be
devloping some tools and trianing for the managers. There's also a
person/organization who has been working in the area of telecommuting for a
long time, Gil Gordon. I don't know his website off-hand, but I think it is
some combiantion of the words "Gil Gordon and Associates."
The world is becoming more virtual...and that produces all sorts of
interesting imapcts. Us "talking" this way is a testimony! As I say all
too often from my remote office, "Cool!"
Andrea
Andrea Sigetich Affiliates
Organization Coaching for magnificent management and team development
Personal Coaching for amazing individual results
OrgCoach@aol.com