Computers, the Internet and advanced communications have enabled hundreds of thousands of people across the nation to telecommute. These individuals find that they can work at home and also be more available to their families. Who are these telecommuters, and what does it take to be successful at it?
By Mary E. Shacklett
Published: December, 2005
Computers, the Internet and advanced communications have enabled hundreds of thousands of people across the nation to telecommute. These individuals find that they can work at home and also be more available to their families. Who are these telecommuters, and what does it take to be successful at it?
Telecommuters tend to fill two different niches.
The first is professionals who are computer programmers, engineers, technical writers and others whose work does not require regular attendance at the office. The second contingent of telecommuters consists of clerical personnel who provide telemarketing, insurance claims processing, customer service and other daily functions, but who again do not require physical offices in company buildings.
If you are considering telecommuting, the first thing to think about is your working style.
Telecommuting works best for individuals who are independent, self-motivated and self-disciplined. These individuals do not require constant interaction with others at work to get them going, and are able to meet work commitments without others prescribing schedules or quotas. On the other hand, persons who require a great deal of feedback and interaction from their work environment often find telecommuting to be isolating and unsatisfying. Understanding your own needs and expectations is the first step in evaluating telecommuting as a work alternative.
Determine how telecommuting will fit with your family’s needs and expectations.
On the surface, telecommuting sounds great. There is no rush hour traffic and no set schedule. You can be at home when the children return from school, or to take care of an elderly parent — and you can be available to let the repairman in. However, this does not eliminate the fact that as a telecommuter, you still have quantity, quality and time commitments for your work.
Before starting your telecommuting career, it is a good idea to sit down with family members to discuss it. This is the most challenging task for many telecommuters, whose families can easily interpret that being home means being available all of the time. Most successful telecommuters arrange their office space so it is separate from the rest of the home living space, and considered off limits to children and others. They also tend to structure specific hours during which they work — whether those hours are during the day, or at night. Without these rules and the buy-in of other family members, it is difficult to get work done.
Take stock of your equipment needs.
Most telecommuters minimally require a telephone, fax, computer, modem and Internet access. Sometimes the requirements are greater. If you are telecommuting as a fulltime employee of a company, it is likely that the company will fund the equipment investment, and provide technical support when there are problems. If you are an independent worker who contracts work to others, you will more than likely be expected to pay for your own equipment, and to keep it operational. Determine at the start what your equipment investment will be. If you are telecommuting as an independent, you will also want to visit a tax consultant to determine whether the equipment can be amortized over a multiple year period for depreciation, and whether you can take a portion of your household costs for a business expense claim.
Once you have your telecommuting home environment established: It is a good idea to consider how you will establish quality interaction with your company or clients.
If you are an engineer, a salesperson, a computer programmer or other professional, it is advantageous to maintain person to person relationships with face time at least several times per month, and perhaps once a week. This can be accomplished by arranging regular office visits. For clerical workers, face time is also important — although in some instances, less critical. The personal contact allows you and your company or clients to maintain the bonds of your work relationship.
Now more than ever, technology makes it possible to work from home. As families face both eldercare and childcare needs, telecommuting is an attractive personal and professional alternative for the independent worker.
Mary E. Shacklett is President of Transworld Data, a marketing and technology practice specializing in marketing, public relations and product management for technology companies and organizations. Prior to founding the company, Mary was Vice President of Product Management and Software Development for Summit Information Systems, Vice President of Strategic Planning and Technology for FSI International, and Senior Vice President of Marketing and Technology for TCCU, Inc. Mary has business experience in Europe, Japan and the Pacific Rim. She has a B.S. degree from the University of Wisconsin and an M.A. degree from the University of Southern California, where she taught for several years. Mary is listed in Who’s Who Worldwide and Who’s Who in the Computer Industry. She may be reached at TWD_Transworld@msn.com, or (360) 956-9536.
