5 things you need to know about remote working
Well here I am again. Sitting at my desk in the French Alps as I watch people hurtle and flounder on the black ski run into town. This is my second ski season as a remote consultant and it already feels so natural. For those of you contemplating remote working here’s my top tips from season 2. The reality isn’t as glamorous as you might think but it’s worth the sacrifices all the same.
- Remote working can rarely be 100% all the time
If you’re working on a major project remote working is possible. With the power of zoom video conferencing, fibre broadband and flexible hours you can make it work. My only caution would be to develop a knack for being able to identify when it might be time to hit an airport. Working with clients in Ireland, US, Norway and Germany, being on site isn’t very feasible unless you plan to spend your days shuffling through airports. BUT and it’s a very big but, you need to be able to identify when a face to face meeting is essential. You need to be able to anticipate how a client is thinking and feeling and whether your actual bodily presence in a meeting could make all the difference. For me, Geneva airport is only 3 hours away and I’ve already made two trips. You need to balance your desire for remote working for a few months versus the needs of client work. Also it’s worth remembering the joy you experience as you return home!
2. Plan your day like a military operation
This is relatively easy for me in that I’m an hour ahead of the UK, have clients 8 hours behind in the US and have chair lifts and bubbles that have set opening and closing times. I plan my day and week to take into account the life I want and the work I need to deliver. Only last week I organised my diary so that I could work flat out all day and reward myself with a evening tour up the mountain and an overnight stay at a remote refuge. By planning out my days I can ensure a healthy balance between work and play.
3. Don’t feel guilty about the life you have chosen
You might not suffer this but I often feel guilty about being able to enjoy and embrace remote working. I often feel for colleagues who might be unhappy in offices or jobs they don’t enjoy. I tend not to post happy images of myself on social channels for fear of offending someone. It’s important to realise that while you feel lucky, not everyone is jealous about the choices you have made. Many clients admire my decision but can’t quite fathom why I would want to live my life in a cold mountain ski resort surrounded by tourists. If you feel happy, embrace it and share it with friends.
4. Choose clients who trust their employees and therefore will trust you
Never work for clients who do not let their own staff work from home on the odd occasion. In my experience companies that don’t trust their employees will not trust you. Yes, they may pay well but you’re supporting a culture that deprives people of flexible working and hours. Clients know I’m happy to jump on a plane or drive across Europe. Prospects I meet during the winter months appreciate my decision and are honest about whether our ways of working align. If you find yourself struggling to secure work, then the best approach is to be brutally honest with prospects. Ask them to give you a test run and if they’re not happy they can simple let you go.
5. Be cognisant of perceptions related to remote working
Some will think you sit around watching Netflix. Many will believe your working day to be short and few with realise that you’re probably working much longer hours than you would back at the office. If you’re worried about perception then don’t give it oxygen. If you have set up a conference call for 12 CET make sure you join on time. If you live somewhere remote make sure the WiFi is reliable. Don’t have calls going unanswered or emails ignored. They even have working 4G on glaciers in France so there really is no excuse. Be mindful that being unreliable makes people fear remote workers.
As you can see today is what we call a bluebird day. No wind, wonderful sunshine and skis in my locker. Today is a workday and a long one at that. After a series of calls I will sit back and watch the piste bashers doing their work as their headlights light up the slopes. Maybe I’ll ski tomorrow or maybe I’ll have my head stuck in a strategy deck. Both I enjoy and I guess that makes me very lucky.
If you’re thinking about embracing remote working then give me a shout. I’m happy to share my experience and learnings with others.
A bientôt!
