If you or your organization are moving to remote work, improving your existing remote working setup, or considering a distributed workforce, I can help.
I have been a remote worker, at least part of the time, for my entire career. I helped design and test a remote work program for a former employer. It’s not as daunting as it may seem, but it may help you to have a guide as you go through the process.
I like Matt’s take on distributed versus remote terminology and how to set your org up for success.
Contact me if you want some help designing your remote program, setting up your remote home office, or improving your existing program.
Tips and Resources for Remote Organizations
Don’t overthink remote work. If your company culture is solid, you hire good employees, and you communicate, you’re in good shape. Sure, you should review your policies to make sure they’re not antiquated. But don’t over-police your remote employees, either. Take a page out of the Basecamp handbook (literally, they open-sourced it).
- “Remote: Office Not Required” – My highest recommended book on the subject from the folks who made Basecamp.
- “Why Work Doesn’t Happen at Work” – Jason Fried’s Ted Talk
- “What Companies Are Getting Wrong About Remote Work”
- “Distributed Teams Best Practices”
What’s in My Remote Toolkit
I am very privileged to have what I have in my toolkit, and the opportunity to work anywhere in the world. Some of these items may not be accessible to all, but here’s my list.
- A reliable laptop – my choice is a MacBook Pro
- Excellent WiFi – I prefer to move around my home spaces and WiFi allows me to roam within my own walls. Invest in a good router.
- Headphones – I am spoiled by the BOSE Soundlink On Ear headphones. They have excellent sound, an outstanding microphone, and long battery life. I only charge them once every 2-3 days.
- A standing desk – here are my recommendations for all budgets. But standing part time or all the time has been wonderful for me.
- An outdoors extension cord – one of my favorite places to work is on the back patio when the weather is nice or it’s raining.
- Turntable – I love music. Listening to vinyl means you have to get up off your butt and change the record every so often. I prefer this to my nagging Apple Watch.
- Expedient F64 Dot Grid Notebooks – Lies flat. Nice dot grid paper.
Applications
I’ve used all of these applications on and off over the years, depending on the size of teams I’m working with or companies I’m setting up.
- Miro
- Teamwork
- Toggl
- Basecamp
- Uber Conference
- Zoom
- Free Conference Call
- Harvest
- Wave Apps
- Notion
- Whimsical