Business Productivity Center
The resource for informative articles, videos and tools for remote workers
A look inside the modern telecommuter's toolkit
There was a time when a telecommuter's toolkit included little more than a computer with high-speed Internet and email. These days, however, there are applications that enable home-office workers to operate as smoothly as their cube farm counterparts.
These tools promote online collaboration and are a must-have for teleworkers who frequently participate in team meetings and projects.
- Instant messaging. "Often when I outsource work to a telecommuter, I provide them with directions and files via an instant message program," says Eddy Salomon, owner of Workathomecareers.com, which employs mostly remote workers. To maximize your online compatibility, opt for a multi-chat client program that supports AIM, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo! Messenger, IRC and more.
- Desktop-sharing application. This tool allows workers in remote locations to view each other's computer screens. "I sometimes use desktop-sharing software to walk my teleworkers through a job or problem," Salomon says. "I share my screen and talk them through issues using my Skype line or instant messaging. It's another great way to save time and be efficient."
- Shared document repository. Emailing or faxing documents can be slow and cumbersome to track. An online repository acts as a shared server that remote workers can access to transfer and store files. Consider a solution that offers workflow approvals and version control.
- Web conferencing application. These applications allow participants in multiple locations to "gather around the table" and share ideas and projects visually.
Collaboration is important, but so is safety. Prepare for the worst with these safety measures:
- External hard drive. Regular backups of important documents to an external hard drive will save a lot of heartache if your computer crashes or is stolen.
- Regularly updated firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware applications. Arming your hardware and software from harmful viruses, spyware and adware is crucial. "Failure to do this can cause your computer to run slow, or worst-case scenario is that you send a virus to your employer or client," Salomon says. "You can find [spyware removal tools] for free on the Web now, so there is no excuse not to have them."
Power outage? No problem.
Nancy Kirk, an owner of two home-based businesses in Nebraska, recommends these tools to keep your home office functioning during a power outage:
- a landline with a non-electronic phone
- an extra battery (kept charged) for your cell phone
- a Web-enabled cell phone that can serve as a modem for your laptop
- a traditional phonebook
- a hand-crank radio or TV to stay connected to the news
- a hand-crank or shake flashlight
Finally, telework policies aren't "tools," but they're equally important to a successful telecommuting operation.
"I think what most mobile workers need - but don't have - is a plan," says Brandon Dempsey, vice president of SuiteCommute LLC. "Organizations and managers need to take proactive roles in their teleworkers' jobs, specifying their job descriptions and outlining their duties. Without this pre-planning, many remote workers are doomed before they ever start."
