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Communication

Communication is an important element of successful telecommuting. If you have a job that requires a lot of interaction with others, then you should determine how the interaction will take place while you are telecommuting. Face-to-face communication while you are telecommuting is only possible through video teleconferencing. Your challenge as a telecommuter is to determine what communication strategies can best be used while you are at the Telecenter.

Alternative Methods of Communicating

Often, simple changes in your communication tools will enable you to keep the lines of communication open. Not only do you need to consider how you communicate with others, but also how others communicate with you. Suggestions for alternate methods of communicating are:

• If you communicate with peers or clients via written memos, try sending those memos over the fax machine on days you are working at the Telecenter.
• If you communicate face-to-face, use the telephone instead.
• If you are connected to electronic mail and you can access it from the Telecenter, continue to communicate through e-mail as if you were in the traditional office.
• If you communicate by telephone, advise the people who call of the phone number where they can reach you during your telecommuting days. Consider activating voice mail on your telephone line at the traditional office. Then when someone does not reach you, they may leave a detailed message.
• If you use voice mail, check it frequently.
• If someone needs to reach you regarding an urgent matter, consider wearing a beeper or using a cellular telephone.

Adjustment

As you become proficient at telecommuting, it becomes easier to communicate and explain to others how they can communicate with you. Be prepared for some frustration when people find that you are not as accessible as in the office. Sometimes when people are accustomed to face-to-face communication, it is difficult for them to think of other ways to contact you. Refer to Exercise #6 in the "Hands-On Approach" chapter. If you carefully plan your communication, you should not have difficulty.

In this day and age of electronic wizardry, there is as fast and effective way to communicate with your office, no matter how far away you are!

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