TAO Podcast (Mobile Work Tip) - Remote PC Access

Phil talks about accessing a PC remotely using an online service called GoToMyPC.

Virtual Collaboration and Brainstorming - Use the right tools

I recently stumbled on a great article on Read-Write-Web about the “Work From Home” Generation.

They give a good overview of the pros and cons. While I agree with almost all of it, the first issue they raise as a negative is “Brainstorming is difficult”. While I agree initially it can be more challenging while you adapt to collaborating with others virtually, like anything it becomes much easier with practice. A large part of successfully brainstorming and collaboration with others across distance is choosing and “thoughtfully applying” the right technology. This is something we often talk about and stress in our workshops and books. Read more

The Virtues of Going Virtual

Many people consider the pros and cons of moving to a completely virtual office setup but aren’t sure whether it is right for them. I recently came across a blog post from Don Loper who manages a web design firm. At the end of May he made the jump from a physical office to a full virtual office. Read more about his thoughts and experience in this post - The Virtues of Going Virtual.

He also posted some thoughts about the experience a few months later in his post The Virtual Office is Complete (love the photo Don!)

Now while many of you may be thinking it’s easy for him to go with a virtual office setup because he runs a web design firm, I think you will find most of the points he makes to be true of many businesses in varied industries.

A panelist at the NICSA convention discussing the changing workplace and virtual teams

I arrived at the beautiful Doral Resort in Miami today (only a few hours South on the Florida Turnpike for me). It was a beautiful day in the mid 60’s and the sun was shining, so I really enjoyed the drive. I felt guilty guilty for a second getting ready this morning and watching the weather channel when I saw that it was -10 degrees with the wind chill in Boston today (the place I called home before moving to Florida). But only for a second . . .

I’m speaking on a panel tomorrow at the annual NICSA convention. Our session is called Looking Forward/Looking Back: Changing Demographics in the Workplace of the 21st Century.

Our panel (which lasts an hour) will be discussing:

• How to get the best candidates
• How to integrate part-time and remote employees into the culture
• How do alternative work arrangements impact the bottom line in terms of cost savings and increased productivity?

I’m looking forward to an interesting discussion. I’ll post more on Wednesday with more info on how the panel went and a summary of best practices and lessons learned.

Many advantages to a virtual office and company

I came across a great article in last Sunday’s Boston Globe called “Virtual Office is what you make it” talking about the trend of working in a virtual office and how for many entrepreneurs and startups they grow their businesses this way from the ground up.

“The future is likely to be the age of virtual businesses,” writes Anita Campbell, founder of Small Business Trends. “Forget three guys in a garage — that was your father’s startup. Today it’s three people spread out across the country or even across continents, each in their home offices or back porches with laptops, mobile phones, and WiFi.”

Check out the article for some interesting insight on virtual companies.

Show #9: Work Unchained - Work where and when you want with a virtual office

This week we explain the concept of a virtual office including the different types of virtual offices and their uses. Thanks to Guillermo Rotman of Regus for joining us as our guest on the show.

If you missed the show you can listen in below or download the MP3 file.

Show # 9: Work Unchained - Work where and when you want with a virtual office

Whether it’s a web-based collaboration service or an actual physical office that you can use on an as needed, on-demand basis virtual offices are empowering teams, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. This show will cover the ins and outs of all types of virtual offices and new ways to collaborate. Phil and Jason will be joined by Guillermo Rotman president of The Regus Group Network for the Americas, the world’s largest provider of outsourced workplaces for companies of any size.

Here’s what we covered:

• The rise of virtual offices: We look at the way that working and workplaces have changed to embrace a more mobile, flexible style of work.
• Different Types of virtual offices: We explore the different types of virtual offices and how solo professionals, teams, and companies of all size are using them to improve productivity and collaboration. Smart phones, free web-based collaboration tools, web-based virtual offices, and physical virtual offices.
• Websites and Resources:
  • Yahoo Groups and MSN Groups - setup a shared collaboration space or virtual office for free. Basic features include calendar, discussion boards, document and photo storage.
  • Webex Weboffice - Professional level web-based virtual office. Shared contacts, calendars, documents, task lists, and more. Get everyone on the same page. This is what we use at Montero Consulting.
  • How Virtual Ofices Work - Good article that guides you through some of the issues you have to deal with when setting up a virtual office. They also discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of operating solely in cyberspace.
• Guest: Guillermo Rotman, President of The Regus Group Network for the Americas, the world’s largest provider of outsourced virtual offices and workplaces for companies of any size.

To listen to the show you can use the flash player below or download the MP3 file. Use the PLAY IN POPUP link below if you want to use our flash player and roam the web while listening.

Advice to help you weather any storm - from Office Depot

As we discussed in our radio show a few weeks back, disaster recovery and business continuity is about developing an effective response to a crisis - and preventing that crisis from becoming a full-fledged disaster. Having a sound contingency plan can enable your small business to successfully “weather” any storm - be that a hurricane, tornado or flood, as well as a technology disaster, such as a computer virus or a power outage that can happen at any time and without warning.

Check out this excellent resource compliments of Office Depot. It has lots of great information about disaster preparedness as well as a very useful downloadable brochure with tips and checklists to help you develop a strategy for this important business consideration.

Show #8: Juggling your life is not a circus trick

This week we discussed work life balance and work life integration. Thanks to Gil Gordon for joining us as our guest on the show.

If you missed the show you can listen in below or download the MP3 file.

Show # 8: Juggling Your Life is Not a Circus Trick

With all of the tools and strategies we embrace on our show, and that comprise the concept of The Anywhere Office there is the danger that your Anywhere Office can become an everywhere office blurring the boundaries between your work and your personal life. This week we were joined by Gil Gordon, telework guru and author of “Turn it Off“, to discuss strategies for work life integration and work life balance.

Here’s what we covered:

• The challenges with work life balance: The differece between work life balance, intergration, and harmony. Grass roots movements versus top down approach to flexible work benefits.
• In the News:
  • Importance versus Satisfaction - In this article from Network World salary survey respondents rate the job-related items that are most important to them, and then tell how satisfied they are with each one. Very interesting.
  • Work-life Balance: Ways to restore harmony and reduce stress - If your work life and personal life are out of balance, your stress may be running high. Here’s how to reclaim control.
• Website Spotlight:

  • WorkLifeBalance.com - Tips, articles, newsletter, and training for work life balance. Has an excellent definition of work-life balance. Here is the diagram of the Four Quadrants we mentioned.
• Guest: Gil Gordon - Telework Expert, President of Gil Gordon & Associates, and author of “Turn it Off“

To listen to the show you can use the flash player below or download the MP3 file. Use the PLAY IN POPUP link below if you want to use our flash player and roam the web while listening.

TAO Podcast - Home Office Tips

Welcome to the first episode of The Anywhere Office Podcast. This podcast will be separate and shorter than our full radio show archives. The podcast will feature both video and audio posts relating to living a digital lifestyle and the changing world of work. We will include short segments from our live weekly internet radio show which airs Wednesdays at 2PM EST.

This episode contains our Top 5 Home Office Tips which we covered this past Wednesday on the show. Visit www.TheAnywhereOffice.com and click archives to listen to the complete show. While you are there be sure to visit our blog and post comments and feedback as well.

TAO Podcast Theme Music - Begin by Andy Simon

Show #4: Work is something you do, not some place you go

This week we took a look at pros, cons, and tips for working in a home office. Thanks to Jeff Zbar and Andy Simon for joining us as our guests on the show.

If you missed the show you can listen in below or download the MP3 file.

Show # 4: Work is something you do, not some place you go

Joined by musician and freelance audio engineer Andy Simon and Chief Home Officer Jeff Zbar, we will tackle the pros, cons, what fors and how tos of setting up and thriving in a home office. Whether you’re a solo professional, freelancer, telecommuter, day extender, or just someone who has a dedicated workspace at home - you don’t want to miss this broadcast!

Here’s what we covered:

• Top 5 Home Office Tips: From our book 2-Minute Home Office Tips. You can also download a free tip book on our resource page.
  
• Website Spotlight: Stetch and excercise with MyDailyYoga.com
• Tech Talk: Programs and services to share large files with others
  • IM programs like Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, or AOL Instant Messenger
  • YouSendIt.com
  • Avvenu
  • Pando
• Our Guests:
  • Jeff Zbar the “Chief Home Officer” - Journalist, Author, Speaker, and Consultant
  • Andy Simon - Musician and freelance audio engineer
• Music: Music leading into breaks “Don’t Know Where I’m Going” compliments of Andy Simon

To listen to the show you can use the flash player below or download the MP3 file. Use the PLAY IN POPUP link below if you want to use our flash player and roam the web while listening.

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