9/16/2011

How to Keep Telecommuters Working Efficiently From a Virtual Office

BOSTON-Yesterday, we looked at a study from CareerBuilder that examined whether or not working from home an efficient alternative to the traditional office job or a productivity killer. The conclusion: It’s a mixed bag. It depends on the motivation of the virtual office worker.

With that, Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder, offers some tips to help telecommuters work as effectively as possible from their virtual office space. So if you work from home in a virtual office, check out these tips to boost your productivity.

Keep a normal morning routine.
The CareerBuilder survey found that 30 percent of telecommuters tend to work in pajamas: 41 percent of females and 22 percent of males. The truth is you'll probably work better if you treat your mornings as if you were going to the office. If there's one good thing about a commute, it's that you get a mental transition between home and work life. Get out of bed, dress up, grab breakfast--do anything that will get your mind in the right place.

Find the best spot to work.
Even if you don't have a dedicated home office, it's important that you find the least distracting place in your home. Don't be tempted by the entertainment system or the recliner.

Stay connected to colleagues.
It's easier to slack off when you know your colleagues or managers aren't watching. If you're struggling to stay motivated at home, schedule an update meeting or call and talk shop with an office peer to get your mind back on work.

Plan your breaks.
You should never feel like a prisoner in your own home. Plan short breaks to take care of chores, play with pets, exercise, or run a brief errand. You'll be less likely to succumb to quitting work early if you structure the perks of being at home appropriately into your schedule.

Take your work to a coffee shop.
A lot of workers don't like telecommuting because they're accustomed to working around others. Working at home can be lonely. If your job allows it, try spending an afternoon in a coffee shop or library. At many spots, you'll likely find contract workers or other telecommuters toiling away, as well.

Want more virtual office tips and trends? Come back to Davinci Virtual Solutions blog every day for the latest advice and information on alternative workplace strategies.