Telework Services
VirtualWorks! offers a wide range of services and products to
help both teleworkers and organizations involved in telecommuting. Learn
more about:
The
growth in telework
Skills
for telecommuting
Assessing
teleworker readiness
Telecommuting
program design services
Training
workshop & seminars
If you’re here to explore
the job market for telecommuters or to find out if you would make a
good teleworker, visit our sponsored site:
www.jobstelecommuting.com
VirtualWorks!
specializes in working with organizations with geographically dispersed
people or teams. VirtualWorks! guides organizations through the steps
necessary to successfully implement and maintain successful telework
programs, virtual
teams and other configurations of remote work. We specialize
in tools for training
employees, teams and leaders that ensure effectiveness regardless of
geographic location. We provide resources for selecting
and training employees, teams
and managers to ensure their effectiveness when geographically dispersed.
Our offerings are customized to meet the specific needs of each organization
and situation. Therefore, the design of each project and program is
unique.
For information about the growth in telework, visit the Telecommuting
Trend page in our Telecommuting Resource Center:
For more data on productivity studies in connection with telework, visit:
Telecommuting
is typically a positive experience and just about everyone who does
it reports they are more productive and effective when telecommuting.
Organizations also gain through improvements in productivity, cost-savings,
and employee retention.
However…
There
can be pitfalls on the road to successful telecommuting. Not everyone
is prepared to telecommute in terms of motivation or ability. Not all
managers are comfortable managing
telecommuters or leading
virtual teams. Additionally, telework requires the appropriate
technology tools and infrastructure, as well as technology proficiency
for both employees and managers.
Successful telework does require a specific
combination of skills and
motivations. Some skills are different from those an employee needs
to work successfully in the “traditional” workplace. Typically,
skills and traits for effective telecommuting include:
· Time management
skills
· Self-motivation
· Strong communication skills (written & verbal)
· Supportive family/home environment
· Independence (works successfully without close supervision)
· Self-disciplined
· Strong performance record
· Technical ability/high job knowledge
· Strong work ethic
· Computer proficiency (hardware, software, peripherals)
· Low affiliation needs
Just as there are
necessary skills, there are required motivations. Prospective telecommuters
should proceed carefully (and obtain appropriate training
if they:
· Have high affiliation
needs
· Must be in an “office” to be motivated to work
· Are easily distracted by household demands (tasks, family,
etc.)
· Do not have a supportive/cooperative family situation
· Do not have reliable child care arrangements during work
hours
VirtualWorks!
offers quick and inexpensive solutions for assessing skills and motivation
before taking the plunge into telecommuting. Some people aren’t
given a choice and their employer tells them they will telework. In
these cases, consider using assessment tools to identify potential obstacles
and development needs.
If you’re reasonably sure that telework is appropriate for you
or your organization and you just want a quick “read”
on teleworker readiness, begin with the Telecommuter
Self-Assessment. For this quick, self-scored and free self-assessment,
download our:
If there are some
concerns about an employee’s ability to succeed as a telecommuter
or you want a detailed analysis
of strengths and weaknesses as a telecommuter, purchase our Telecommuter
Assessment Profile (TAP). The TAP offers detailed feedback
on twelve criteria that are critical to success as a telecommuter and,
more importantly, provides recommendations to individuals for improving
telecommuting skills and abilities. For an inexpensive assessment and
detailed feedback, order the TAP:
The TAP can be used to provide
feedback to individuals as a training needs assessment and can be adapted
to become a multi-rater instrument. If you would like information regarding
the multi-rater capability please:
Contact
us
The keys to working well from
your home office
Working at home is different,
particularly if your employees have never done it before. Think for
a moment about the current “traditional” jobs in your organization.
Consider:
· All the resources
available
· The equipment and technology used
· Co-workers
· The direction provided
When you telework you have
to, in effect, recreate that office environment in the home. Initial
questions before planning begins include: “Where do I put my office?”
or “What equipment will I need?” These are both important
questions. Having the basic equipment, phone lines, high-speed access,
and a productive office setting are crucial to long-term success.
VirtualWorks! offers a series of resources to help you cut through the
clutter and streamline the move to telecommuting. To access information
that will assist you in your planning and telework start-up, visit our
free:
We also offer
a series of mini-books and booklets that are designed to answer specific
questions your employees may have with practical, concrete answers that
can put to use immediately.
To help you determine which resources will best meet your particular
needs, consider these options:
Telecommuting
Mini-Books
These
consist of a series of detailed tips on a specific topic and are drawn
from Debra Dinnocenzo’s highly praised book, "101
Tips for Telecommuters." These mini-books are available
from VirtualWorks! as electronic downloads. If you like detailed
answers and thought provoking comments, then mini-books will be best
for you. The following mini-books are available:
Working
Well in Your Home Office
Working
Well with Your Family
Working
Well with Your Team
Working
Well with Your External Partners
Working
Well with Tools and Technology
Telecommuting
Booklets
These are much
shorter and consist of a series of short, practical “tips.”
Booklets are available as electronic downloads. If you like sound bites,
short quotes or something your employees can glance at quickly and get
some easy-to-implement ideas, then booklets are for you. The following
booklets are available:
Tips
for Teleworking Productively in Your Home Office
Tips
for Teleworking while Managing Family Issues
Tips
for Teleworking Effectively with Your Remote Team
Tips
for Teleworking Efficiently through Effective Outsourcing
Tips
for Telecommuting Wisely with Technology
VirtualWorks! also provides
customized printed versions of mini-books
and booklets. For more information on customization:
Contact
us
The
Book
If you want the most information for the best value, you’ll want
to read the entire book. Order this valuable resource packed full of
useful information for teleworkers to begin your journey to successful
telecommuting:
Telecommuting
Program Design
VirtualWorks!
offers consulting services and telecommuting program design services
in the following areas:
Feasibility
/ Benefit Assessment
Telework is
not for every organization or person. When an organization is considering
virtual work options, VirtualWorks! can conduct an initial feasibility
assessment to determine the organization's state of readiness. The assessment
considers culture, technology, people and ROI issues.
Program
Design / Pilot
VirtualWorks!
can assist you with every phase of implementing an effective telecommuting
program from the design of the program, policy development, communications,
measurement and initial pilot efforts.
Selection
VirtualWorks! can help organizations
identify the positions that are suitable for telework, as well as individuals
who are likely to telework successfully. We provide self-assessment
tools to help individual employees evaluate their interest and skills
for telework.
Program
Evaluation
We believe all programs should
have measurable outcomes predefined as part of the implementation process.
VirtualWorks! can design program evaluation processes using evaluation
methodologies appropriate to the organization and its needs.
Teleworker
Training
Training for new teleworkers
is essential for an efficient start-up to working remotely. Topics typically
addressed in this training include: dynamics of distance communication;
home office layout and equipment; expectation setting; staying connected;
implications for families; and collaboration from a distance.
Visit our Workshops
and Seminars page to learn more about specific training
options for teleworkers.
Telemanager
Training
One of the keys to a successful
telework implementation is the training of those who will manage teleworkers.
This training typically addresses setting expectations; measuring success;
managing performance; staying connected; coaching from a distance; and
handling difficult situations.
Visit our Workshops
and Seminars page to learn more about specific training
options for telemanagers.
Virtual
Team Training
This training
is targeted to teams whose members are often away from the office or
who work remotely. Participants discuss factors that are critical to
geographically dispersed team success. Skills are developed for building
trust; setting expectations; communicating effectively and efficiently;
and achieving goals.
Visit our Workshops
and Seminars page to learn more about specific training
options for virtual teams.
For additional information, visit our Virtual
Team Services page or explore the following tools for virtual
teams:
The
video-based training program:
Bridging
the Distance: Virtual Teams on the Road to Results
The booklet for leaders and teams:
Guide
to Building Virtual Teams
The booklet for members of remote teams:
Tips
for Teleworking Effectively with Your Remote Team
The mini book for team members:
Working
Well with Your Team
