Working Remotely
And Doing It Right
scott
stroz
Section
Introduction
1
scott
strozscott@boyzoid.com
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”
scott
strozscott@boyzoid.com
What will we cover?
Working Remotely
And 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
Section
What do we mean?
2
scott
strozscott@boyzoid.com
Shared Space
Cafe
Home
What do we mean by ‘remotely’?
Working Remotely
And Doing it Right
Even here…
scott
strozscott@boyzoid.com
What do we mean by ‘remotely’?
Working Remotely
And Doing it Right
Basically, anywhere but here…….
Section
Pros & Cons
(real & perceived)
3
scott
strozscott@boyzoid.com
• 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 Remotely
And Doing it Right
“Salad isn't food; it's what food eats.”
scott
strozscott@boyzoid.com
• 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 Remotely
And Doing it Right
“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is all you need.”
scott
strozscott@boyzoid.com
• 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 Remotely
And Doing it Right
“Anyone who says money can't buy you happiness,
obviously does not know where to shop.”
scott
strozscott@boyzoid.com
“Maybe money cannot buy happiness, but, it can buy bacon, and that is
pretty much the same thing.”
Cons For The Employee
Working Remotely
And Doing it Right
scott
strozscott@boyzoid.com
• 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 Remotely
And Doing it Right
“Unlike the post man, opportunity rarely, if ever, rings twice.”
Section
Getting Started
4
scott
strozscott@boyzoid.com
• 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 Remotely
And Doing it Right
scott
strozscott@boyzoid.com
• 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 Remotely
And Doing it Right
“Common sense, like common courtesy, is, unfortunately, not all that common”
scott
strozscott@boyzoid.com
• Inconsistency is the greatest enemy of
discipline
• Work ‘regular’ hours
• Avoid temptations and distractions
• Deviate from routine only when
necessary
Discipline
Working Remotely
And Doing it Right
scott
strozscott@boyzoid.com
• 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 Remotely
And Doing it Right
“To hell with hindsight and its perfect vision.”
scott
strozscott@boyzoid.com
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 started
The Basics
scott
strozscott@boyzoid.com
• 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 Remotely
And Doing it Right
scott
strozscott@boyzoid.com
• 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 Remotely
And Doing it Right
scott
strozscott@boyzoid.com
“If necessity is the mother of invention,
laziness it its drunk step father.”
The single most important thing
you will need
Working Remotely
And Doing it Right
Makes sure it has a lock!
Section
Keys to success
5
scott
strozscott@boyzoid.com
• 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 Remotely
And Doing it Right
“Men think in 8-bit color, women think in 32-bit color.”
scott
strozscott@boyzoid.com
• 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 Remotely
And 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.”
scott
strozscott@boyzoid.com
• 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 Remotely
And Doing it Right
“Beer is like the blue jeans of the beverage
world. It goes well with everything.”
scott
strozscott@boyzoid.com
• 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 Remotely
And Doing it Right
“Sometimes it does take a village to raise a child, but, unfortunately,
that means the village idiot gets to take part.”
Section
Talking to your boss
6
scott
strozscott@boyzoid.com
• 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 Remotely
And Doing it Right
“Sometimes, the first step in turning and
enemy into an ally is to stop treating them
like an enemy.”
scott
strozscott@boyzoid.com
• 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 Remotely
And 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.”
scott
strozscott@boyzoid.com
• 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 Remotely
And Doing it Right
“Bacon is so good, some vegans do not
even consider it meat.”
scott
strozscott@boyzoid.com
The best thing about
working ‘remotely’…..
Lastly….
Working Remotely
And Doing it Right
thank you

Working Remotely and Doing It Right

  • 1.
    Working Remotely And DoingIt Right scott stroz
  • 2.
  • 3.
    scott strozscott@boyzoid.com About Me • Softwaredeveloper/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”
  • 4.
    scott strozscott@boyzoid.com What will wecover? Working Remotely And 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
  • 5.
  • 7.
    scott strozscott@boyzoid.com Shared Space Cafe Home What dowe mean by ‘remotely’? Working Remotely And Doing it Right Even here…
  • 8.
    scott strozscott@boyzoid.com What do wemean by ‘remotely’? Working Remotely And Doing it Right Basically, anywhere but here…….
  • 9.
  • 10.
    scott strozscott@boyzoid.com • Can luretalent from anywhere • Increased productivity • Better work-life balance • Lower costs • Office space • Relocation • Employee retention • Fewer missed days Pros For The Employer Working Remotely And Doing it Right “Salad isn't food; it's what food eats.”
  • 11.
    scott strozscott@boyzoid.com • Increased infrastructurecosts • One-time technology cost per teleworker • Lack of social interaction • Disconnected from company • Employees are not really working Cons For The Employer Working Remotely And Doing it Right “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is all you need.”
  • 12.
    scott strozscott@boyzoid.com • 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 Remotely And Doing it Right “Anyone who says money can't buy you happiness, obviously does not know where to shop.”
  • 13.
    scott strozscott@boyzoid.com “Maybe money cannotbuy happiness, but, it can buy bacon, and that is pretty much the same thing.” Cons For The Employee Working Remotely And Doing it Right
  • 14.
    scott strozscott@boyzoid.com • Feeling disconnectedfrom 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 Remotely And Doing it Right “Unlike the post man, opportunity rarely, if ever, rings twice.”
  • 15.
  • 16.
    scott strozscott@boyzoid.com • You needdedication • 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 Remotely And Doing it Right
  • 17.
    scott strozscott@boyzoid.com • 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 Remotely And Doing it Right “Common sense, like common courtesy, is, unfortunately, not all that common”
  • 18.
    scott strozscott@boyzoid.com • Inconsistency isthe greatest enemy of discipline • Work ‘regular’ hours • Avoid temptations and distractions • Deviate from routine only when necessary Discipline Working Remotely And Doing it Right
  • 19.
    scott strozscott@boyzoid.com • Have acontingency 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 Remotely And Doing it Right “To hell with hindsight and its perfect vision.”
  • 20.
    scott strozscott@boyzoid.com Desk should have enoughroom 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 started The Basics
  • 21.
    scott strozscott@boyzoid.com • Reliable, highspeed 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 Remotely And Doing it Right
  • 22.
    scott strozscott@boyzoid.com • Other communicationtools • IM, Email, Video conferencing, alternate phone • Backups • External hard drives • Offsite services • Version Control • Headphones Other things you will need/want Working Remotely And Doing it Right
  • 23.
    scott strozscott@boyzoid.com “If necessity isthe mother of invention, laziness it its drunk step father.” The single most important thing you will need Working Remotely And Doing it Right Makes sure it has a lock!
  • 24.
  • 25.
    scott strozscott@boyzoid.com • Set andenforce 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 Remotely And Doing it Right “Men think in 8-bit color, women think in 32-bit color.”
  • 26.
    scott strozscott@boyzoid.com • Make sureyou 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 Remotely And 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.”
  • 27.
    scott strozscott@boyzoid.com • Don’t deviatefrom 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 Remotely And Doing it Right “Beer is like the blue jeans of the beverage world. It goes well with everything.”
  • 28.
    scott strozscott@boyzoid.com • 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 Remotely And Doing it Right “Sometimes it does take a village to raise a child, but, unfortunately, that means the village idiot gets to take part.”
  • 29.
  • 30.
    scott strozscott@boyzoid.com • Discuss theadvantages 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 Remotely And Doing it Right “Sometimes, the first step in turning and enemy into an ally is to stop treating them like an enemy.”
  • 31.
    scott strozscott@boyzoid.com • They willcome 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 Remotely And 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.”
  • 32.
    scott strozscott@boyzoid.com • Follow yourplan 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 Remotely And Doing it Right “Bacon is so good, some vegans do not even consider it meat.”
  • 33.
    scott strozscott@boyzoid.com The best thingabout working ‘remotely’….. Lastly…. Working Remotely And Doing it Right
  • 34.