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101 Tips for Telecommuters

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101 Tips for Telecommuters

Successfully Manage Your Work, Team, Technology and Family

Berrett-Koehler,

15 min read
10 take-aways
Text available

What's inside?

Working at home in your pajamas takes more than a hot computer: why you still need direction, motivation, routines, discipline, and, yes, childcare.

Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Applicable

Recommendation

Debra A. Dinnocenzo has written a friendly, informal and sometimes humorous book for people who are or want to become telecommuters. Using her firsthand experiences, the author covers a broad range of tricky issues that telecommuters face, including finding the right technology and coping with myths people hold about working from home. She provides practical information and tips you can really use. If you are a telecommuter, telemanager or home-based worker, her handbook will help you increase your skills and productivity. If you are considering becoming a telecommuter, it will tell you exactly what to expect and how you can make the transition to this new way of working. getAbstract recommends Dinnocenzo’s book to those who are telecommuting, or plan to do so.

Summary

Telecommuting

Telecommuting will probably save you from a long, frustrating commute every morning and evening, and it may give you greater flexibility to spend your time with your family. Your work attire may even be soft slippers and an old housecoat.

Although telecommuting has plenty of advantages, it is not for everyone. You will probably get lonely and miss socializing with colleagues. You may lose your motivation and your focus. Or your presence at home could create family difficulties and tensions rather than bring you closer together. You might use up all that saved commuting time by working even more hours. You may even want to hurl your computer out the window when it freezes or crashes in the middle of an important project.

Self-assessment

Succeeding as a telecommuter requires certain skills and a different way of thinking. Consider whether the idea of telecommuting fits your lifestyle and goals. Evaluate the benefits, obstacles and challenges you would face. Think through your personal preferences, your home office environment, your economic goals and your family support system. Ask yourself how you work, whether you need co-workers around...

About the Author

Debra A. Dinnocenzo has ten years of firsthand experience as a telecommuter and as senior vice president of marketing for Learning International, a sales performance and training company. She is the founder of ALLearnatives, a company that provides learning tools and resources for telecommuters and telemanagers.

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