On September 13, she’s presenting a free webinar called Telecommute Now! How to Get Fast Approval to Work from Home where she will be sharing secrets for the easiest way to ask for a flexible work arrangement and get your managers to say YES.

In our short interview Pat and I talk about:

• the importance of knowing how to negotiate the flexible work arrangement you want and how to ask with confidence.
• the different shapes and sizes of flexible work: including telecommuting, compressed workweek, part-time, and job sharing.
• the three-ingredient formula that gets managers to agree to a telework request — even where there are barriers. She also reveals a preview of two barriers that keep people from asking for a flexible work arrangement.

Listen to this 15 minute interview to learn more:

Pat’s expert advice on flexible work has been featured in several national publications including The Wall Street Journal, US News & World Report, and also on NBC Nightly News. I’ve been following Pat’s work in this space for the last 15 years and we first spoke many years ago when I was working on my book – Lose Your Commute.

Pat’s story, and why helping people find legitimate flexible work has become her passion, is very interesting.  I suggest checking out the about page on her site to learn more.

Like Pat, it has always been my mission to help people achieve their flexible or virtual work goals. What frustrates me is that there is plenty of information available on how to start a “flexible,” work from home business, but not everyone wants to be a small business owner or an entrepreneur. A lot of people want to work a job or develop a career with a company – but also want to take advantage of the flexibility of an alternative work arrangement. Finding legitimate flexible work is made even more challenging due to the scammers and fakes who prey on honest people; taking their money and giving little or nothing in return. One way to transition to a more flexible work schedule while avoiding scams is to approach the manager at your current job about work-shifting or working from home a few days out of the workweek.

Unfortunately, there’s not much information available on how to approach your current employer about telework or other flexible work arrangements. That’s why I was excited to hear about Pat’s Flexible Work Proposal Packages and the upcoming free webinar she is offering.

FREE WEBINAR
Pat’s Telecommute Now!  webinar is being held on Tuesday, September 13th. She always provides the kind of reliable, trusted information that so many people have been looking for but don’t know where to get. In this webinar she’ll reveal the three key ingredients for getting your boss to say ‘yes’ to your request to work from home. This is based on 18 years of experience with thousands of professionals, she can tell you what changes managers’ minds. If you want to know how to get your manager to say YES, register now.

All webinar registrants are eligible to win a free copy of the Telecommuting Proposal Package. You’re entered to win automatically when you register for the free Telecommute Now! webinar.

Don’t put your dreams of a flexible work schedule on hold another minute. Cut the commute and free up time for your family, your side hustle, your life. There are only 100 slots available so click here and sign up now before it fills up.

NEXT STEPS:

• Sign up for the Free Telecommute NOW Webinar (Sept. 13th)
• Get more info Pat’s Flexible Work Proposal Packages (Templates & Strategy)
• Follow WorkOptions.com on Facebook

This post contains some affiliate links, click here to read our full affiliate disclosure.

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I was just talking with someone the other day about when I first started working primarily from my home office.  The adjustment period took at least 6 months for me to find my workflow and adjust to my space (or adjust my space to my work).  Ripley shares some essential strategies here to help make the transition easier.

Thanks for the great article Ripley . . . take it away . . .

- – - – - – - – - – - – - -

Being a telecommuter may seem like a dream come true but there are often many aspects of working from home that can cause tension, stress and even depression. For most people, transitioning from an office environment to a home office is both daunting and difficult. The office environment facilitates a social setting where you interact with your co-workers throughout the day. Working from home immediately limits your opportunity to socialize and at times can create a sense of isolation that can be hard to adjust to. Another possible change you will undergo is balancing your work and home life. This can be extremely challenging as working from home blurs the lines.

In order to get the most out of your telecommuting experience, it’s important to have a strategy. Here are some simple steps to help relieve the pressure and tension that working at home might create:

1. Create a specific work space. There is nothing more distracting than trying to work in front of the television or in a common area where the children might be playing or your spouse might be on the phone. If possible, turn a guest room into a home office where you can set up a desk, computer and other office supplies as well as where you can hold conference calls and teleconference calls without any distractions or disruptions. If you do not have an additional room or space, designate a space at your kitchen or dining room table so that you will not be tempted to work in front of your television set. Also, make sure to keep your space tidy and neat so that you can find any paperwork, projects or reports when needed. You don’t want to mix your work papers and information with bills, school projects and other personal items.
2. Figure out a work schedule. One of the biggest hassles when it comes to telecommuting is maintaining diligence and discipline. Although you are not tied to a clock like you might have been in an office environment, you are still responsible for getting your work done in a timely manner and being available for meetings or conference calls. You don’t want to ever appear unprofessional so pick a normal work schedule i.e. 8-5pm or 9-6pm so that you can get as much work done during the day time which will free up the evenings to spend time with friends and family as well as personal time to decompress and relax.
3. Leave work at work. In the past, this was an easy thing to do since work was at an office and you left it behind the second you headed home. Now that you work from home, this can be an easy mistake that can cost you and your family happiness and a sense of normalcy. As soon as your work day is over, get up from your desk or work space, shut off the computer, turn off the work phone and leave it all behind until the next work day. Be sure to spend time doing the things you love such as; working out, gardening, cooking, going to the movies, meeting friends for drinks or just watching television with your family. You will be more productive and be able to maintain a sense of organization when you implement this simple step.
4. Take scheduled breaks throughout the day. When working in an office environment, there are several scheduled and unscheduled breaks that one takes which helps break the monotony and gives you a quick breather. Working from home may seem like one long break as there are no co-workers or supervisors visiting your desk or demanding anything of you but you will still need to push away from your desk and give yourself a minute to clear your mind. Step outside and get some fresh air, go run an errand or just make a quick leisure call to a friend. These types of breaks really help round out your work day so that you don’t wind up feeling like you’re chained to your desk from morning till night.
5. Avoid working on the weekends. Working from home allows you a lot of freedom but it can also seem like a prison sentence since you are not getting out and about like you used to. That’s where the weekends come in. You need to utilize your weekends to the fullest by getting out and joining groups that interest you. Find organizations that cater to the types of activities you love. Schedule time with friends and family so that you are spending all of your weekends having fun rather than slaving away at your computer. Even though working from home allows you the opportunity to work seven days a week, is it really a healthy option? No. That’s why you need to treat your weekends the exact same way you did when you worked in an office setting.

Ripley Daniels is an editor at Without The Stress, which assists citizens by simplifying government-related tasks. Ripley writes about subjects dealing with passports, work visas, and many other topics.

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In this edition of the show we talked about things like how to build trust with clients you may never meet face to face, working in virtual teams, what effect technology has on the shift from employee to freelancer and the future of the “anywhere lifestyle” – being able to do the work where and when you want.If you already work where you want or if you’re thinking about it, be sure to watch or listen to this episode. It will be worth your while. We all shared some great resources and strategies for collaborating and staying productive.

Freelance Jam is the brand-new show for independent professionals who build the web. Episodes are recorded live every other Tuesday evening, offering viewers a chance to discuss and ask questions during the live show.

Be sure to catch future episodes of FreelanceJam. It airs every other Tuesday night and the show includes interviews with guests from across the web industry and beyond. Topics include freelance business, web design, entrepreneurship, working from home, killer apps, marketing, web trends, and even music!

It’s a laid back interactive discussion I know you’ll enjoy – and they keep introducing me to new music!

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I met Karl late last year we instantly hit if off.  As we talked further he told me he wanted to embrace a virtual business model for Smart Company Growth. Shortly afterward I started working with Karl to help him refine his business model and choose the best strategies and tools that would allow him the flexibility to work from anywhere, keep his costs low, and work with clients from all over the world without the expenses and headaches of all that travel.

One of the things we discussed was how to use Skype for video conferencing and remote interviews as Karl wanted to include a series of these interviews with noted authorities on his blog. So after getting the technology in place he figured what better way to kick them off than by interviewing me about the strategies and technology that help entrepreneurs, small businesses, and solo professionals to work virtually.

Click below to watch the interview is broken down into 2 parts:

• Video Interview Part 1 where we talk about the shift toward mobile work, how and why companies are embracing this type of work, some of the challenges, and what  it means to work with people you don’t see every day.
• Video Interview Part 2 where we talk about some of the non-tech elements critical for success when leading virtual or distributed workforces as well as some of the key gadgets and technology that help you and your team stay connected.  We also talk briefly about my on-demand webinar The Art of Virtual Leadership and how it helps managers learn to lead virtual teams.

I hope you enjoy the interview and find it informative.  Karl did a great job and had some great insight from his own experiences about what it means to work virtually and work with clients and team members remotely.

What do you think is the biggest shift in working virtually?  Please share your thoughts by posting a comment below.

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In this initial broadcast I chatted with some folks about mobile work technology – we discussed online musical collaboration, co-working and coffee shops, why it makes sense to create your website in WordPress, CRM software, Windows vs Mac, Skype and Tokbox, multi-person video chats, the Blue Yeti microphone, Twitter Apps, and I even jammed a little harmonica!I’m thinking of doing these either weekly (or bi-weekly) to make myself available to answer any burning questions you may have about mobile work technology, cloud computing, setting up an effective home office, using social media, automating common business processes, internet marketing, and anything else about working from anywhere or growing your business online.

Let me know what you think of the idea and what time/day might work best for you.

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I came across a recent blog post today from Glen Allsopp (@viperchill) “Living Self-Employed Online: The Manual They Forgot to Give You”.  Glen shares 13 lessons from his first 18 months of being self-employed:

As some people here don’t care about making their living from the internet, I understand that this post will not be for everybody. However, if you’ve just made the leap to working for yourself, currently run your own business, or you’re looking to make your money online in the future, this article may be just what you need.

Over the last 18 months of working for myself, I’ve learned a ton of things on my journey. Not every piece of advice I took on board has helped, with many ideas quickly being discarded. From reading dozens of books, speaking with hundreds of entrepreneurs, and living this life myself for a year and a half, there are a few lessons I would like to share.

I found this post to be full of wisdom and something I wish I had read when I first made the leap.  One tip that I really liked was about choosing the most important tasks to focus on:

Identify the Most Important Tasks That Will Grow Your Business

When you have all day to work on whatever you want, it’s very easy to get caught up in things which a) aren’t helping you grow and b) not as effective as other tasks. As early in your own business life as possible, define the most important things you can accomplish each day and give them utmost priority.

He then gives examples for what those tasks are for his business.  This was really powerful for me as I often find myself jumping around trying to do a lot of things rather than focusing on a core list as he suggests. I am making a list like that now and will keep it on the corkboard that sits above my desk. From now on whenever I begin to stray or get side tracked I can look at the list and refocus.

Whether you are a freelancer, entrepreneur, small business owner, or solo-professional I think you will find his article valuable as well as his website http://www.viperchill.com where he shares lots of information about marketing online and what has worked for him.

Let’s share some tribal knowledge here – please post a comment below with some of the biggest tips or lessons you’ve learned being self-employed!

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I have found Twitter to be a great way to connect with people and in many ways it’s even more powerful than the traditional water cooler as I have connected with people from all over the globe!

Being a work at home dad, entrepreneur, and small business owner it’s hard to find the time in my schedule to get out to networking events. This is another area where social media has really been amazing – I’m able to take a more asynchronous approach to finding and starting conversations with other liked minded people I meet.  I think the key, however, is to then take those conversations to the next step and schedule a real-time phone call, Skype chat, or in person meeting when possible.

Still haven’t taken the social media plunge?  I came across a recent article that helps you get up to speed on the big three:

Here’s a quick 101 on how to best leverage the top three social networking sites — Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. via Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn? Finding the Right Fit for Your Small Business | Small Business Matters.

If you haven’t explored any of these services yet I strongly urge you to do so!  You can connect with me on all three here – Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook.

Twitter is by far my favorite – which is yours? Post your thoughts in the comments below.

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As Jason and I often say it’s about “the right tools thoughtfully applied”. Yesterday I came across a great blog post by Isaac Gube (@IAMTHEGUBE) about the tools and strategies he and his brother put into place when they launched their latest venture DesignInstruct.com – a regularly updated web magazine for designers and digital artists where you can find and learn design tips and tricks. The Brothers Gube clearly share the same philosophy as the Brothers Montero:

Design Instruct is our first real venture together. It is the first time my brother and I sought to actually build something of our own (unless of course you count all the make-believe forts we built when we were kids).

There are many challenges associated with working with someone over a long distance. However, we found that there are solutions to those challenges, and so far, we’ve managed to make it work.

via How to Make Remote Team Collaboration Work.

I love the way the post breaks down the 5 main challenges they had and describes the solutions they came up with.  When technology was needed they used free or low cost tools that can be embraced by any small business owner, solo professional, or entrepreneur.

The important thing is they did their own workflow analysis, tooks a step back, and developed a structure and approach that worked for them. The spirit and philosophy they brought to this approach echoes my own:

Working on the Internet over a long distance is definitely different than working together in the same physical location. But being different doesn’t mean that it’s a worse way to work.

Of course, it’s a different way to work, but it’s also a very effective way to work once you acknowledge the challenges and are willing to adapt.

Just think, a few years ago, working from such great distances would have been quite an ordeal, and today it is done with such great ease and effectiveness.

I strongly encourage you to read their blog post and please share some comments below about the tools and strategies you’ve found to help you collaborate and work across the web.

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Despite the long list of benefits to virtual work or telecommuting many managers are simply uncomfortable with the thought of managing remote employees.  That’s why a recent article by Fast Company really caught my eye. It describes 3 recent scenarios where managers didn’t want to provide workplace flexibility and the unfortunate results:

Managers, sticking your fingers in your ears, closing your eyes and saying “La, la, la, la” when a valuable, competent current or prospective employee presents a plan for flexibility doesn’t make it go away.

via Dont Let “Flexibility Just Doesnt Work for Me”=”I Dont Care If You Leave”…Because It Will | Fast Company.

The article shares some excellent suggestion for what managers can do when approached by employees proposing a flexible work agreement and also what employees can do if a managers shrugs off the request with the “that doesn’t work for me” rebuttal.

Managing virtual teams and offsite employees is not really a choice – it’s a reality in most business (or soon will be).  So the question isn’t will you do it – but will you do it well . . . or will you do it poorly?

I strongly urge managers struggling with this is to get some training on strategies and best practices for managing virtual teams. We’ve seen a sharp increase in the desire for this type of training which is why our workshop The Art of Virtual Leadership is now available on-demand. So no more excuses . . . learn how to lead your remote employees so you can hire and retain the best talent for your organization despite their location!

What are your thoughts?  Share your story or experience in the comments below!

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They have embraced their mobility and found it has not only saved them lots of money but also provided many networking opportunities with other similar entrepreneurs and solo-professionals.

Now, Ferraro and Marsik Friess, partners in their newly minted public relations firm Volare, have no formal office and no equipment other than their laptops and smart phones. They network like crazy, bartering for a new business logo, say, and taking advantage of coffee shops, a tearoom and other public spaces for meetings instead of renting traditional real estate. They even used Ferraro’s Bluetooth-enabled SUV for their first conference call with a client.

The article is enlightening to see the number of free workspaces they have found and other advantages to thinking and working creatively.  They said one of their biggest challenges was keeping up with new technology now that they were working on their own.  Our goal with this blog is to ease to ease that burden.  We will be increasing our reviews and tips about mobile work technology moving forward to help you choose the best tools to help you work from anywhere, collaborate with colleagues, and grow your business.

What do you find to the greatest advantages and challenges of virtual work?  Please post a comment below and share your thoughts and experience!

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