Not quite there yet?  That’s OK – you’re not alone – and we’ve got you covered!

Below are some useful disaster preparedness resources including websites, an episode of our radio show, a free business continuity teleseminar,  and some recommended tools to help you weather any storm.

AUDIO (Radio Show Archive):

Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail (Business Continuity in the Changing World of Work)
There are many potential obstacles that can interrupt a company’s ability to do business as usual: inclement weather, natural disasters, special events, transit strikes, and skyrocketing transportation costs just to name a few. In this episode from our radio show archive we took a look at the differences between business continuity and disaster recovery as well as some strategies and technology to help you and your organization prepare. Jason and I talk with Brian Donahoo of Citrix Online, makers of GoToMyPC and GoToMeeting, to explore how aspects of the digital lifestyle can address and overcome these obstacles. As the Zen proverb says . . . The obstacle is the path.

FREE TELESEMINAR:

Riding the Storm Out (Tips to develop a business continuity plan)
Consider this, almost 40% of small businesses that close due to a disaster event never re-open.

What would you do if the building your business is located within was damaged or destroyed in a disaster? Where would you go to continue providing your business services? Would you have the resources, databases, contact information and other necessary items to adapt to these changes?

The best time to respond to any disaster is before it happens. A well thought out business continuity or disaster recovery plan can ensure that you are prepared for any contingency. Our panel of South Florida experts discuss best practices, strategies, and tools to ensure your business can weather any storm or business interruption.

CLICK HERE for the Downloadable Audio and Handouts

WEBSITES:

Ready.gov
The website for The Department of Homeland Security’s Ready Campaign. This site has comprehensive information about all aspects of Disaster Planning, Business Continuity, and Continuity of Operations planning. It is broken down into 3 main areas Ready America, Ready Business, and Ready Kids.

National Hurricane Survival Initiative
A coalition of a number of organizations including National Hurricane Center, National Emergency Management Association, The Salvation Army, and others. This is an exceptional site – well designed and full of resources.

Office Depot’s Disaster Preparedness Strategy
An excellent collection of articles and resources on how small business owners can prepare for unplanned interruptions. This site will get you up to speed and help prevent a crisis from becoming a full-fledged disaster.

Hurricane Preparedness
The official site of Hurricane Preparedness Week. Hosted by the NOAA and The National Weather Service.

FloridaDisaster.org
Florida Division of Emergency Management website about Business Disaster Planning. They have an online tool that walks you through creating a Business Disaster Plan in about 15 minutes.

MOBILE WORK AND VIRTUAL OFFICE SERVICES I RECOMMEND:

GoToMyPC Remote Access Service
Even if something prevents you from making it to the office, you can use your office PC just as if you were sitting in front of it. For a free trial CLICK HERE.

GoToMeeting Web Meeting and Conferencing
Web conferencing can be used for team meetings, webinars, sales demos, training, consulting, brainstorming, and much more. No worries if the office is closed due to storms or inclement weather. You and your clients and co-workers can even collaborate on documents in real time.

Skype (Audio and Video Conferencing/Screen Sharing):
One of the best tools for web-based video and audio conferencing.  Even has simple screen sharing and it’s Free!. If a disaster or storm prevents travel or anytime you work with others across distance – add this to your toolbox! To learn more about the power of skype check out my article “How to Embrace Skype to be a True-Blue Mobile Entrepreneur” over at VirtualBusinessLifestyle.com.

Regus BusinessWorld Gold Card (6 months free)
Having to evacuate, or losing access to your office or workplace are only a couple of the scenarios where a virtual office or touch down space can be an invaluable resource. Regus is the world’s largest provider of outsourced workplaces for businesses of any size.  A Regus businessworld Gold card gives you many privileges, including complimentary access any of their 1,100+ global business lounges and cafés, with complimentary internet and refreshments.
CLICK HERE to get a FREE 6 Month Regus Businessworld Gold Card

Wi-Fi Center and Hotspot Locator
If you’ve lost internet service at home or the office use our Wi-Fi center to find hotspots so you can get online from coffee shops, airports, bookstores, cafes, and other public locations. Quickly find a place to use your laptop, tablet, or mobile device and get online.

I hope this collection of disaster preparedness and business continuity resources and tips helps you develop a more flexible business approach so you can deal with whatever emergencies or business interruptions might come your way.  With some forethought and a strategy you can ensure that you are prepared.

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The biggest problem is that most organizations take an ad-hoc approach to workshifing, which has been thrust upon them. The business landscape began to change; they increasingly found themselves working across time and distance with team mates, remote offices, clients, vendors, and other outsourced professionals. And they mostly left individual employees, project teams, and offices to decide for themselves how best to conduct business. Virtual teamwork was not deliberate, and not undertaken with any real strategy.

If you’re in this boat – what are you to do? You can’t just stop the flow of business and start over with a brand new plan. But you also can’t just lumber forward and say to your people, ‘Work virtually better.’ What you CAN do is take a step back to get a perspective on your process and workflow in order to isolate and highlight areas for improvement and adjustment. One way to accomplish this is by conducting  my ICC Workflow Audit™ which helps you take a look at your needs for Information, Communication, and Collaboration in order to guide you in choosing and throughtfully apply the right technology and guidelines for your organization or team.

I recently partnered with Citrix Online to discuss this topic in a free webinar – Work Unchained: The Competitive Edge of the Anywhere Office®. We had a great turnout for the event and some interesting discussions.  If you missed it you can watch it on-demand.

For more information on how to implement the ICC Workflow Audit™, read my white paper or my guest post on their blog Workshifting.com

I’d love to hear your thoughts on how you or your organization have adopted to virtual teamwork.  Please post a comment below and share your stories and feedback!

Like this Post? Check Out These...

1. Free Webinar: Work Unchained – The Competitive Edge of the Anywhere Office® If you have employees working remotely or are just getting...
2. Join me Thursday – Bloomberg BusinessWeek Free Live Webcast on Video Conferencing I’ve been invited by Bloomberg BusinessWeek to be a panelist...
3. Show #9: Work Unchained – Work where and when you want with a virtual office This week we explain the concept of a virtual office...

Work Unchained: The Competitive Edge
of the Anywhere Office®
Thursday, April 29 at 11 AM (PDT) / 2 PM (EDT)

Business as usual no longer involves working in a traditional workplace at set hours. Today’s workforce is more mobile than ever, and every day more people are working from virtual offices, client sites, home offices, coffee shops, airports, hotels, and any number of remote workplaces. Companies that take an ad-hoc approach to this work-style struggle, while those with a strategic, planned approach reap the benefit and flexibility of distributed work.

I partnered with Citrix (makers of GoToMyPC) to deliver this free Webinar. Learn how to evaluate your own organization’s workflow to strategically turn your ordinary office into The Anywhere Office®.

Attend to learn:

• Why workshifting provides a critical competitive edge
• Common mistakes to avoid when enabling a mobile workforce
• Best practices for evaluating your organization before implementing a workshifting strategy
• And more…

Click here to reserve your complimentary seat

I’m looking forward to the presentation and I hope you’ll join us!

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3. TAO Podcast (Mobile Work Tip) – Free Conference Calls In this Mobile Work Tip Phil talks about using free...

Today, in part 13 (the final part) of our telework podcast series our panel of experts answer any remaining questions from those who attended the teleseminar on how to start an effective telework program.

So listen in to Part 13: Q&A

Armed with the ideas, tips, and best practices we shared over the 13 sessions you can develop a telework plan that will dynamically change where and how you and your people work. We wish you the utmost success in embracing telework in your organization and enjoying all the benefits it has to offer!

.

OUR PANEL OF EXPERTS:

Jeff Zbar : Founder of ChiefHomeOfficer.com (and faciliator for our discussion on telecommuting).

Rachel Hastings: Vice President of WFC Resources Inc.

Phil Montero: CEO of Montero Consulting and Founder of YouCanWorkFromAnywhere.com and TheAnywhereOffice.com.

Want the whole story?
Listen to all 13 parts of Telecommuting in the 21st Century.

We hope you find this audio series useful – please take a moment to post a comment and share your thoughts and feedback with us below!

Subscribe (in the right hand column) to be sure you don’t miss anything!

Like this Post? Check Out These...

1. Telecommuting in the 21st Century: How to Implement or Improve Virtual Teams and Flexible Work in Your Organization (Part 5: Common Telecommuting Pitfalls) Welcome to Part 5 of our 13 part audio series...
2. Telecommuting in the 21st Century: How to Implement or Improve Virtual Teams and Flexible Work in Your Organization (Part 7: Where Do We Start?) Welcome to Part 7 of our 13 part audio series...
3. Telecommuting in the 21st Century: How to Implement or Improve Virtual Teams and Flexible Work in Your Organization (Part 12: Next Steps) Welcome to Part 12 of our 13 part audio series...

After discussing some of the various issues over the past 12 parts of this podcast today we will be discussing how to take the important “next steps” to get the ball rolling and implement telecommuting in your organization.

In part 12 of our podcast we look at the “next steps” to moving forward with you telework plan.

So listen in to Part 12: Next Steps

.

OUR PANEL OF EXPERTS:

Jeff Zbar : Founder of ChiefHomeOfficer.com (and faciliator for our discussion on telecommuting).

Rachel Hastings: Vice President of WFC Resources Inc.

Phil Montero: CEO of Montero Consulting and Founder of YouCanWorkFromAnywhere.com and TheAnywhereOffice.com.

Want the whole story?
Listen to all 13 parts of Telecommuting in the 21st Century.

We hope you find this audio series useful – please take a moment to post a comment and share your thoughts and feedback with us below!

Subscribe (in the right hand column) to be sure you don’t miss anything!

Like this Post? Check Out These...

1. Telecommuting in the 21st Century: How to Implement or Improve Virtual Teams and Flexible Work in Your Organization (Part 13: Q&A) Welcome to Part 13 – the final part of our...
2. Telecommuting in the 21st Century: How to Implement or Improve Virtual Teams and Flexible Work in Your Organization (Part 7: Where Do We Start?) Welcome to Part 7 of our 13 part audio series...
3. Telecommuting in the 21st Century: How to Implement or Improve Virtual Teams and Flexible Work in Your Organization (Part 8: Managing Expectation) Welcome to Part 8 of our 13 part audio series...

When approaching telework it’s important to look at some of the key business issues and consult the right professionals before jumping in. Today we will be discussing some of the Legal, HR, and Tax implication regarding telework.

In part 11 of our podcast we look at some of the considerations and planning involved for the business side of telecommuting.

So listen in to Part 11: Legal, HR, and Tax Issues

.

OUR PANEL OF EXPERTS:

Jeff Zbar : Founder of ChiefHomeOfficer.com (and faciliator for our discussion on telecommuting).

Rachel Hastings: Vice President of WFC Resources Inc.

Phil Montero: CEO of Montero Consulting and Founder of YouCanWorkFromAnywhere.com and TheAnywhereOffice.com.

Want the whole story?
Listen to all 13 parts of Telecommuting in the 21st Century.

We hope you find this audio series useful – please take a moment to post a comment and share your thoughts and feedback with us below!

Subscribe (in the right hand column) to be sure you don’t miss anything!

Like this Post? Check Out These...

1. Telecommuting in the 21st Century: How to Implement or Improve Virtual Teams and Flexible Work in Your Organization (Part 13: Q&A) Welcome to Part 13 – the final part of our...
2. Telecommuting in the 21st Century: How to Implement or Improve Virtual Teams and Flexible Work in Your Organization (Part 7: Where Do We Start?) Welcome to Part 7 of our 13 part audio series...
3. Telecommuting in the 21st Century: How to Implement or Improve Virtual Teams and Flexible Work in Your Organization (Part 12: Next Steps) Welcome to Part 12 of our 13 part audio series...

When implementing telework many managers and HR departments are concerned about how to ensure workers health and safety are protected adequately, outside of the normal office environment. When working from a home office it is really a shared obligation. While companies have a responsibility for their employees safety while “at work” employees are also responsible for maintaining a safe home environment.

In part 10 of our podcast we look at some of the considerations and planning involved to ensure safety and reduce risk for your telecommuters.

So listen in to Part 10: Keeping at home workers safe

.

OUR PANEL OF EXPERTS:

Jeff Zbar : Founder of ChiefHomeOfficer.com (and faciliator for our discussion on telecommuting).

Rachel Hastings: Vice President of WFC Resources Inc.

Phil Montero: CEO of Montero Consulting and Founder of YouCanWorkFromAnywhere.com and TheAnywhereOffice.com.

Want the whole story?
Listen to all 13 parts of Telecommuting in the 21st Century.

We hope you find this audio series useful – please take a moment to post a comment and share your thoughts and feedback with us below!

Subscribe (in the right hand column) to be sure you don’t miss anything!

Like this Post? Check Out These...

1. Telecommuting in the 21st Century: How to Implement or Improve Virtual Teams and Flexible Work in Your Organization (Part 5: Common Telecommuting Pitfalls) Welcome to Part 5 of our 13 part audio series...
2. Telecommuting in the 21st Century: How to Implement or Improve Virtual Teams and Flexible Work in Your Organization (Part 13: Q&A) Welcome to Part 13 – the final part of our...
3. Telecommuting in the 21st Century: How to Implement or Improve Virtual Teams and Flexible Work in Your Organization (Part 12: Next Steps) Welcome to Part 12 of our 13 part audio series...

One common concern when allowing people to work from home, or anywhere outside the office, is the security of company data.  With more people using laptops, smartphones, and other portable computing devices company data is often used and accessed from multiple locations. While security should certainly be a concern when setting up a telework program – don’t let fear prevent you from taking advantage of all the flexibility this way of working has to offer.  With proper planning and forethought you can have the technology and policies in place to ensure your people can work from anywhere while still keeping your company data secure.

In part 9 of our podcast we’ll be discussing security and confidentiality while looking at how to keep your data safe when people are working from remote locations.

So listen in to Part 9: Security and Confidentiality

.

OUR PANEL OF EXPERTS:

Jeff Zbar : Founder of ChiefHomeOfficer.com (and faciliator for our discussion on telecommuting).

Rachel Hastings: Vice President of WFC Resources Inc.

Phil Montero: CEO of Montero Consulting and Founder of YouCanWorkFromAnywhere.com and TheAnywhereOffice.com.

Want the whole story?
Listen to all 13 parts of Telecommuting in the 21st Century.

We hope you find this audio series useful – please take a moment to post a comment and share your thoughts and feedback with us below!

Subscribe (in the right hand column) to be sure you don’t miss anything!

Like this Post? Check Out These...

1. Telecommuting in the 21st Century: How to Implement or Improve Virtual Teams and Flexible Work in Your Organization (Part 13: Q&A) Welcome to Part 13 – the final part of our...
2. Telecommuting in the 21st Century: How to Implement or Improve Virtual Teams and Flexible Work in Your Organization (Part 5: Common Telecommuting Pitfalls) Welcome to Part 5 of our 13 part audio series...
3. Telecommuting in the 21st Century: How to Implement or Improve Virtual Teams and Flexible Work in Your Organization (Part 12: Next Steps) Welcome to Part 12 of our 13 part audio series...

In rolling out a telework program it’s critical to have realistic expectations for involvement and output.  You need to have a clear idea of what success looks like so you will know when you have achieved it and have proper feedback channels in place so you can determine what areas might need more work or attention to fine tune your program. Don’t overlook the importance of training to help your people adjust to this shift in work and management style. You also want to make sure managers and teleworkers understand what is expected of them.

In part 8 of our podcast we  will be discussing how to manage expectations and the importance of having clear measurable objectives, getting feedback, and providing training.

So listen in to Part 8: Managing Expectation

.

OUR PANEL OF EXPERTS:

Jeff Zbar : Founder of ChiefHomeOfficer.com (and faciliator for our discussion on telecommuting).

Rachel Hastings: Vice President of WFC Resources Inc.

Phil Montero: CEO of Montero Consulting and Founder of YouCanWorkFromAnywhere.com and TheAnywhereOffice.com.

Want the whole story?
Listen to all 13 parts of Telecommuting in the 21st Century.

We hope you find this audio series useful – please take a moment to post a comment and share your thoughts and feedback with us below!

Subscribe (in the right hand column) to be sure you don’t miss anything!

Like this Post? Check Out These...

1. Telecommuting in the 21st Century: How to Implement or Improve Virtual Teams and Flexible Work in Your Organization (Part 13: Q&A) Welcome to Part 13 – the final part of our...
2. Telecommuting in the 21st Century: How to Implement or Improve Virtual Teams and Flexible Work in Your Organization (Part 5: Common Telecommuting Pitfalls) Welcome to Part 5 of our 13 part audio series...
3. Telecommuting in the 21st Century: How to Implement or Improve Virtual Teams and Flexible Work in Your Organization (Part 12: Next Steps) Welcome to Part 12 of our 13 part audio series...

When looking to roll out  telework or flexwork in your organization it often helps to start with a pilot program.  This can help you gather important feedback, make sure you have the right technology in place, and help you recognize any speed bumps that might arise when expanding your program throughout the rest of your company. The size of your company will dictate how formal and involved this process needs to be. However having some type of trial period is always a good way to start.

In part 7 of our podcast we look at steps for successful telework implementation and how to get started.

So listen in to Part 7: Where Do We Start?

.

OUR PANEL OF EXPERTS:

Jeff Zbar : Founder of ChiefHomeOfficer.com (and faciliator for our discussion on telecommuting).

Rachel Hastings: Vice President of WFC Resources Inc.

Phil Montero: CEO of Montero Consulting and Founder of YouCanWorkFromAnywhere.com and TheAnywhereOffice.com.

Want the whole story?
Listen to all 13 parts of Telecommuting in the 21st Century.

We hope you find this audio series useful – please take a moment to post a comment and share your thoughts and feedback with us below!

Subscribe (in the right hand column) to be sure you don’t miss anything!

Like this Post? Check Out These...

1. Telecommuting in the 21st Century: How to Implement or Improve Virtual Teams and Flexible Work in Your Organization (Part 5: Common Telecommuting Pitfalls) Welcome to Part 5 of our 13 part audio series...
2. Telecommuting in the 21st Century: How to Implement or Improve Virtual Teams and Flexible Work in Your Organization (Part 13: Q&A) Welcome to Part 13 – the final part of our...
3. Telecommuting in the 21st Century: How to Implement or Improve Virtual Teams and Flexible Work in Your Organization (Part 12: Next Steps) Welcome to Part 12 of our 13 part audio series...