Telecommuting – The New Norm?

At a time when the economy is slow and money is tight, what can firms do to reduce costs and increase their profit margin? The answer is in eliminating so-called fixed costs such as rent, electricity, and office space – otherwise referred to as Telecommuting.

More and more firms are catching on to the idea, allowing employees to work from home or another space of their choice. Austin-based firm Ariesnet Inc. has operated as a virtual office for six years now. While CEO Cruce Sanders was originally unsure how long the firm would be able to sustain a telecommuting workforce, he now has complete faith in the system.

Sanders said “We’ve learned we can be more productive, more profitable and more nimble. Our team members – programmers, project managers, consultants – get to live flexible lives while our clients experience high-quality, high-availability service. It’s better for all involved, including our families and the environment.”

According to a survey by the Austin Business Journal, half of the CEOs in the Entrepreneurs’ Organization allow telecommuting, while another 41 percent said it could be an option in the future. Only 9 percent said telecommuting was not an option.

If you are one of those companies considering telecommuting, here are 5 tips to help successfully manage your virtual office:

Set Expectations
Specify and document what is expected of telecommuters. Set up guidelines for how, when, where, and how well projects are to be completed.

Agree on a Schedule
Obviously telecommuting allows more flexibility than a typical 9-5 workday. However, a basic outline detailing days worked, hours worked, and breaks should be established.

Evaluate Performance
Focus on the results rather than the activities. Are your employees completing their projects in a timely manner? Is the work product of good quality? If so, you’ve probably found a good balance.

Maintain Communications
Just because you don’t communicate face-to-face anymore does not mean you should slack on overall communication. Keep an open line of communication about events, information, deadlines, and meetings.

Assess and Adjust as Necessary
Feedback is critical. Find out what the staff thinks is working and what needs improvement. Consider the responses and make appropriate adjustments.