The Importance Of Staying Connected

In the "office-optional" business model, top organizations know it's critical to achieve meaningful communication, a feeling of camaraderie and company cohesiveness. This article will explore the virtual employee trend, it's unique communication characteristics and needs as well as review several high and low-tech ways to stay in touch.

Telecommuting is no longer the wave of the future; it's here and it's taking the world by storm! With improvements in networking technology, e-mail, instant messaging, smart phones and web/video conferencing, companies depend on their employees' productivity in, en route to, and outside of the office. In fact, many businesses expect, or at least encourage, employees to work from home on a regular basis. What is surprising is that some innovative companies are totally virtual, where all work takes place at home, the neighborhood espresso shop, or anyplace that saves commute time, gas, and office space.

Communicating in a Virtual World

So what's different about being a virtual employee? In a word: everything. One of the biggest issues facing the virtual world is a lack of meaningful communication. The ability to remain connected with coworkers and management in a way that minimizes personal and professional isolation is a major hurdle. Without a brick-and-mortar business office, complete with cubicle farm and daily water cooler chats, how are teleworkers to maintain a feeling of camaraderie and company cohesiveness? This article will explore the unique communication characteristics and needs of this trend as well as review several high-tech and low-tech ways to stay in touch.

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