working remotely and doing it right
TRANSCRIPT
Working RemotelyAnd Doing It Right
scottstroz
SectionIntroduction
1
scottstroz
About Me
• Software developer/architect for
Booz Allen Hamilton
• Working remotely for over a
decade
• Full time for over 8 years
• Avid, but not very good, golfer.
• Proud parent of these 2 guys →
Obligatory ‘I ♥ me’ Slide
“I appreciate that the glass is half-full, but, would enjoy it so much more were it not half-empty”
scottstroz
What will we cover?
Working RemotelyAnd Doing it Right
• What do we mean by ‘remotely’?
• Pros/Cons of working remotely
• For you and your employer
• ‘Building’ your home office
•What you need to get started
• Keys to success
• How to talk to your boss
SectionWhat do we mean?
2
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Shared Space
Cafe
Home
What do we mean by ‘remotely’?
Working RemotelyAnd Doing it Right
Even here…
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What do we mean by ‘remotely’?
Working RemotelyAnd Doing it Right
Basically, anywhere but here…….
SectionPros & Cons
(real & perceived)
3
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• Can lure talent from anywhere
• Increased productivity
• Better work-life balance
• Lower costs
• Office space
• Relocation
• Employee retention
• Fewer missed days
Pros For The Employer
Working RemotelyAnd Doing it Right
“Salad isn't food; it's what food eats.”
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• Increased infrastructure costs
• One-time technology cost per teleworker
• Lack of social interaction
• Disconnected from company
• Employees are not really working
Cons For The Employer
Working RemotelyAnd Doing it Right
“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is all you need.”
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• Save money
• Gas & Tolls
• Wear & Tear on vehicle
• Auto Insurance
• Tax breaks
• Greater productivity
• Fewer interruptions
• More flexibility
• Better work-life balance
• Less exposure to those who are sick
• Lower stress
Pros For The Employee
Working RemotelyAnd Doing it Right
“Anyone who says money can't buy you happiness, obviously does not know where to shop.”
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“Maybe money cannot buy happiness, but, it can buy bacon, and that is pretty much the same thing.”
Cons For The Employee
Working RemotelyAnd Doing it Right
scottstroz
• Feeling disconnected from team
• Boundaries between work and home get blurred
• Need strong dedication and discipline
• Not just from the employee
• Need to develop a routine
• Can become a hermit
Cons For The Employee
Working RemotelyAnd Doing it Right
“Unlike the post man, opportunity rarely, if ever, rings twice.”
SectionGetting Started
4
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• You need dedication
• From everyone in the household
• You need discipline
• Successfully working remotely is not easy
• You need a plan
• For everything from power outages to Internet disruption to personal emergencies
First and foremost….
Working RemotelyAnd Doing it Right
scottstroz
• Your family, roommates,
etc. need to understand
you are actually working.
• Communicate effectively
with those in the
household
• Set up barriers or cues to
when it is imperative you
NOT be disturbed.
Dedication
Working RemotelyAnd Doing it Right
“Common sense, like common courtesy, is, unfortunately, not all that common”
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• Inconsistency is the greatest enemy of
discipline
• Work ‘regular’ hours
• Avoid temptations and distractions
• Deviate from routine only when
necessary
Discipline
Working RemotelyAnd Doing it Right
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• Have a contingency plan for everything
• Power outages
• Internet outages
• System failure
• Backups
• Have a general plan for your week
• Update as necessary
• Have a specific plan for your day
• Touch base daily
• Daily scrum works great
Planning
Working RemotelyAnd Doing it Right
“To hell with hindsight and its perfect vision.”
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Desk should have
enough room for you
to work comfortably.
Be careful, too big of a
desk may attract
clutter.
Desk
Chair should be
comfortable, but also
durable. Don’t buy
one until you have
tried it.
Chair
You need a reliable
way to communicate.
If using mobile phone
as primary, make sure
you have good
coverage.
Phone
Kind of hard to do
development work
anywhere without a
computer. Make sure
you have off site
backup.
Computer
Getting startedThe Basics
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• Reliable, high speed Internet connection
• Dedicated space – big enough for you to work
• Windows are a plus!
• UPS for network equipment
• Alternate site
• Make sure you know their hours of operation
Other things you will need/want
Working RemotelyAnd Doing it Right
scottstroz
• Other communication tools
• IM, Email, Video conferencing, alternate phone
• Backups
• External hard drives
• Offsite services
• Version Control
• Headphones
Other things you will need/want
Working RemotelyAnd Doing it Right
scottstroz
“If necessity is the mother of invention, laziness it its drunk step father.”
The single most important thing
you will need
Working RemotelyAnd Doing it Right
Makes sure it has a lock!
SectionKeys to success
5
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• Set and enforce boundaries/rules
• Wake/start work as consistent time
• GET DRESSED!!!
• Communicate with boss/client on regular basis
• Daily ‘scrum’ works great
• Take regular breaks
• Start/maintain after work activities
• Learn how to ‘turn off’ work
Get into a routine
Working RemotelyAnd Doing it Right
“Men think in 8-bit color, women think in 32-bit color.”
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• Make sure you communicate
effectively and consistently.
• If there is an issue/emergency, let
your boss/client know as soon as
possible.
• Notify boss/client when you will be
away from your desk.
• Regular face to face time
• Even if over video chat
Maintain Communication
Working RemotelyAnd Doing it Right
“We have the right to 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness', not 'life, liberty and happiness'. You need to work for the happiness, it should not be given to you.”
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• Don’t deviate from routine unless absolutely necessary
• Inconsistent start/end times
• Too much ‘away from keys’ time
• Long lunches
• Working in PJs
• Go outside!!!
Avoid bad habits
Working RemotelyAnd Doing it Right
“Beer is like the blue jeans of the beverage world. It goes well with everything.”
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• Meet Deadlines & complete tasks
• Manage expectations as work
progresses
• Be on time for meetings
• And be dressed if video meeting
• Answer phone/IM/Email in timely
fashion
• Be proactive
• Maintain clean work area
Be Responsible
Working RemotelyAnd Doing it Right
“Sometimes it does take a village to raise a child, but, unfortunately, that means the village idiot gets to take part.”
SectionTalking to your boss
6
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• Discuss the advantages to the company/project first
• Use ‘us’ and ‘we’ rather than ‘I’ and ‘me’
• Suggest a ‘trial’ of maybe one day a week for a few months
• With possibility of expanding
• Have your plans ready to discuss
Start With the ‘Pros’
Working RemotelyAnd Doing it Right
“Sometimes, the first step in turning and enemy into an ally is to stop treating them
like an enemy.”
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• They will come up – talk about them
• Discuss about how your plans can mitigate them
• Show your contingency plans for
Internet/Power/communication disruption
Don’t Ignore the ‘Cons’
Working RemotelyAnd Doing it Right
“If you gave some people $25,000 in small, unmarked, non-sequential bills, in a greasy paper bag, they would complain about the bag.”
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• Follow your plan exactly
• At least initially
• Meet deadlines
• Be on time for meetings
• Work your butt off
• You may need to over-produce to shed stereotype of ‘working from home’
• Don’t ruin it for everyone else
Work the Plan
Working RemotelyAnd Doing it Right
“Bacon is so good, some vegans do not even consider it meat.”
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The best thing about working ‘remotely’…..
Lastly….
Working RemotelyAnd Doing it Right
thank you