Virtual Office Resource

Do you work in a physical office that houses a number of other professionals and a branded sign on the door or the side of the building? It sounds like a funny question, but the reality today is the virtual office is nearly as common as the physical office. Technology has eliminated many of the geographical boundaries that kept us in one place, but has this approach to managing a business always been successful?

I once had a friend who needed a small part-time job and so I hired her to do research, help with editing and taking care of a few other details that I didn’t have time to complete. She could work remotely as she had two kids at home and relished being a mom. Her professionalism and recommendations suggested to me that it would be a great fit, yet it turned into a negative situation very quickly.

For this individual, the flexibility of the virtual office created a non-structured environment that she couldn’t manage. She didn’t know how to separate her demands of the home from the demands of the job. She couldn’t prioritize and she constantly missed deadlines. This individual who had once successfully run a medical office couldn’t apply the same structure in her home and she ended up going back to an office environment.

In this situation, the virtual office failed. It wasn’t the result of a lack of communication, teamwork or even physical boundaries as we still met in coffee shops to work together. Instead, it was a mismatch of skillsets and needs in terms of the optimal work environment. For other companies who have tried the remote workplace and failed, there are a number of factors that could have contributed, but one in particular is easy to fall into without realizing it until it’s too late.

Employee engagement is essential, whether individuals who work together are under the same roof or simply share the same employer. Those who work remotely need to feel the fostering of community, the ongoing connections and the shared identity. They need to understand the higher purpose and shared values if they are going to achieve the same end. They need to understand that they are a part of something bigger than themselves and that they still play important roles.

To ensure this is successful, communication is key. For a number of organizations trying to make the virtual office a success, phone.com is a key element. With an easy-to-use interface and ready integration with current phone systems or smartphones, the platform is optimal for those who want to stay in touch regardless of location.

If the virtual office is in your model or your future, be sure to put a plan in place that adequately supports your remote workers. This includes an assessment of their skills to be sure they can work remotely and an investment in the tools they need to stay connected. Check these two things off your list and you’ll be well ahead of the competition that overlooks the obvious.