The business model may be changing permanently due to COVID-19. In the past, the majority of companies have been reluctant to allow remote work on a broader scale: There are a number of reasons ranging from cyber security concerns, to challenges maintaining a cohesive team, knowledge-sharing and fear of employees slacking off without on-premise oversight.
I’m here to tell you – telecommuting works! I’ve worked remotely for 18-years for a number of high-tech companies. And I’ve successfully managed an entire team of remote workers, while constantly making a positive impact on the company.
The most important key to successful telecommuting is showing value. In my various roles over the years, metrics have been a vital tool in showing the impact of my entire team’s performance). In a recent quarterly business review, I presented statistics that showed my department met – and most often exceeded – our goals over the past 19 consecutive quarters; an impressive statistic! And what was even better, I was able to show a direct impact to the company’s bottom line, making it hard for management to ignore those facts.
Another critical point has been expanding my skills and training in my particular focus area. Being considered an expert in your field provides your employer with a greater sense of confidence in your skills and abilities. For me, as a customer advocacy professional, it is important to be certified. I was one of the first to pass the Certified Customer Advocacy Professional course and achieve CCAP I status.
You can be successful working remotely if you follow some basic practices.
Prove your value – promote yourself and your accomplishments frequently.
Be visible – make sure your stakeholders hear from you often.
Be available – make every effort to work during the hours your corporate office and stakeholders are working.
Get involved – participate in projects where you can add value, regardless of the department.
Expand your knowledge – get certified or take courses in your field of interest. Also consider taking courses in effective presentations; you can’t underestimate the confidence level you’ll gain from that.
Limit distractions – too many distractions at home can disrupt your momentum and train of thought.
Maintain a work/life balance – this can be harder to accomplish. Working from a home office often means longer hours. Once you’re done for the day, do your best to mentally turn off work and stay away from your office and computer.
Take short breaks – be sure to get outside to take a walk and change the pace.
I’d love to hear about your telecommuting experiences. Please post a reply to this blog. If you'd like to chat, please reach out to me via LinkedIn or email.
Abby Atkinson, CCAP I
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