Strategies for Staying in Touch in the Virtual Workplace

Communicate from home like you are at work

Communicating with your team requires effort.  This is especially true when working from home, communicating virtually.  Here are some strategies to keep you communicating from home the same way that you communicate at work.

1. Make appointments

Appointments are a mainstay at work so why not from home.  It ensures that key people are available, allows time for prep work and makes for a more productive use of the time.

2. Stay focused in phone conferences

Conference calls can get long and easily stray off topic.  Stay focused, contribute regularly and keep multitasking to a minimum. 

3. Attend weekly staff meetings

Staff meetings occur regularly at work.  Make it a point to attend meetings that you know are attended by other team members and coworkers.

4. Stay online as much as possible

A quick response to an email or message is a clear indication that you are working and being productive.  Stay online during your posted office hours and make it a point to respond with a sense of urgency.

5. Be assertive

Make the first move.  Waiting for other people to contact you gives the impression that you only work when required.  Ask for information that you consider important and proactively move on ideas and concepts as they surface.  

Posted by Vince Whelan, Senior Consultant OLS