1. Thinking outside the office.
How to use telecommuting to cut costs.
During “The Great Recession,” companies In addition to the money saved by not paying
looked for new and creative ways to cut costs rent for these workers, being open to recrui-
in order to avoid slashing workforce — these ting and hiring remote workers from other
included reductions in benefits and compen- geographic areas greatly expands the talent
sation packages, forced unpaid vacation time, pool and offers organizations the opportunity
job-sharing options and reduced work to find potentially more qualified — and less
schedules being assigned. expensive — employees.
In addition, measures were taken to reduce real How does it affect productivity?
estate and associated facilities management
Telecommuting isn’t for everyone — companies
costs in the form of consolidation and office
and employees alike need to recognize who
closings. But, reducing space didn’t necessarily
is capable of working independently and who
mean reducing workforce. An increasingly
will be taking naps on their couch during work
attractive option became allowing employees
hours. However, for the right employees, tele-
to work offsite — otherwise know as telecom-
commuting offers flexibility and fewer disruptions
muting, e-commuting, working at home (WAH)
— two factors that greatly enhance productivity.
or becoming Nanobots (Nearly Autonomous,
Not in the Office, doing Business in their Own A good telecommuter:
Time Staff — a term coined by David Pauleen • Thrives on their driven natures and personal
and Brian Harmer of the Wall Street Journal). freedom, and is able to create a work/life
These workers stay on the job, but forfeit their balance without strict guidelines
office space to permanently or semi-permanently
• Is a self-starter and a high achiever that
work away from the office.
produces strong results with a minimum
The cost benefits of telecommuting. amount of supervision
Now that high-speed/broadband home Internet • Must be technologically self-sufficient
service is widely available, setting up a home • Needs the personal networks, knowledge
office is easier and less expensive than ever. and experience to deal with problems that
Plus, technologies such as smartphones allow arise on their own
employees to stay connected with colleagues
and clients from virtually anywhere.

2. Thinking outside the office.
A good manager for telecommuters: In addition, it is important to make sure your
• Enters into telecommuting arrangement telecommuters feel like they are still part of
without reserve your team. Communicate with them frequently
(without being overbearing) — keep them in
• Does not resent the loss of direct control
the loop on important work issues, but also take
• Sets clear expectations with an final due date the time to check in with them on a personal
• Has a trusting relationship with e-commuter level. Ask them to be in the office for weekly
or quarterly staff meetings to help them stay
• Must posses a clear understanding of who
connected and offer their input. If face-to-face
would and who would not make a good
meetings are difficult to arrange, establish
candidate for e-commuting
a time to speak with them over the phone
Managers who are still concerned that time once or twice a week.
spent out of the office is unproductive should
consider a performance-based pay system. Making telecommuting work.
This way telecommuters can be evaluated — In addition to having the right work ethic,
and compensated — based on what they do successful telecommuters must have the
rather than where they do it which gives them right resources. To help telecommuters be
an incentive to be productive. as accessible as office workers, make sure
they have the following tools:
Telecommuting as a retention tool.
• A high-speed/broadband Internet connection
Not only can telecommuting save the company
• VPN access to your network that works with
a considerable amount of money on things like
multiple operating systems
utilities and maintenance, it can also be used
as an incentive or retention tool, especially • A phone system that allows for remote access
when bonuses are not available. More and to voice mail voice-mail, call forwarding and
more workers are seeking flexible schedules easy teleconferencing
to achieve a greater work/life balance, and • An instant-messaging (IM) system that allows
offering the option of telecommuting can go your team to stay connected from any location
a long way in boosting employee satisfaction.
• Easily accessible and manageable
However, it is important for managers to enter
project-tracking software
into a telecommuting arrangement without
uncertainty. When employees sense that their Perhaps the most important way to ensure
employer is reluctantly allowing them to a successful telecommuting arrangement is to
telecommute, it can have an adverse impact clearly define responsibilities and expectations
on morale. No employee wants to feel that for telecommuters. When you set goals for
their manager is wary of their work ethic or talented people and provide them with all the
time-management skills. right resources, they’ll prove they can succeed
in any work environment.
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