Show #3: Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail

This week we took a look at the differences between business continuity and disaster recovery as well as some strategies and technology to help you and your organization prepare. Thanks to Brian Donahoo from Citrix Online for joining us as our guest on the show.

If you missed the show you can listen in below or download the MP3 file.

Show # 3: Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail (Business Continuity in the Changing World of Work)

There are many potential obstacles that can interrupt a company’s ability to do business as usual: inclement weather, natural disasters, special events, transit strikes, and skyrocketing transportation costs just to name a few. Phil and Jason talk with Brian Donahoo of Citrix Online, makers of GoToMyPC and GoToMeeting, to explore how aspects of the digital lifestyle can address and overcome these obstacles. As the Zen proverb says . . . The obstacle is the path.

Here’s what we covered:

• News: VOIP makes phone system hurricane-resistant
• Tech Talk: Automating Backups (Second Copy and iBackup)
• Guests: Brian Donahoo, Vice President of Products and Services, Citrix Online
• Music: Music leading into breaks “Don’t Know Where I’m Going” compliments of Andy Simon

To listen to the show you can use the flash player below, download the MP3 file, or use one of the links for your preferred format:

• Listen with Windows Media Player
• Listen with Real Player
• Use the PLAY IN POPUP link below if you want to use our flash player and roam the web while listening.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:12 — 11.3MB)

5 Steps to Approaching your Current Employer about Telecommuting

I was interviewed by Jeff Zbar today for an article he’s writing for South Florida’s Sun Sentinal about how rising gas prices are prompting some companies and employees to explore telework as a possible solution. Jeff, aka the Chief Home Officer, will be joining us on next week’s show to talk about the pros and cons of working in a home office.

One of the questions he asked me was how employees should propose telecommuting to their employers. Although I was only able to give him a few short tips I figured I would post an article here I wrote a few years ago about that very subject.

5 Steps to Approaching your Current Employer about Telecommuting

A question I am often asked by people who would like to telecommute is, “How do I approach my manager or boss about this subject?” Many people fear that if they suggest telecommuting, or even working from home occasionally, that they will be viewed as “less than serious” about their job. Of course, if your company already has a formal telework plan in place it is much easier, but what do you do if they don’t?

Before you approach your boss or manager there are 2 main things you need to consider:

• Is my job right for telecommuting? If your job involves doing a lot of independent work such as reading, research, number crunching, report or document writing, or phone work then at least a portion of your job can be done outside the office – and might actually benefit from being away from common office interruptions. On the other hand, if your job requires a good deal of face-to-face contact or access to information or systems that are only available in the office, then your job might not be a good fit for telecommuting.

• Would I make a good telecommuter? There are certain traits that help make someone more successful at working outside the office. Successful telecommuters are usually self-starters who do not require much “hands-on” help from mangers or colleagues. They also need to be organized and possess good time management skills. If you don’t have all of these skills don’t worry, they can be developed over time.

Many companies have heard of the benefits of telework but they still have fears or misconceptions about what is involved. Here are 5 steps you can take to approach this topic professionally.

1. Go in with a plan, not a request. Do your research and be prepared to address any questions, fears, or objections that your manager and/or boss might have. Put together a short proposal including:

• Why you want to telecommute.
• From what location you will be telecommuting.
• Is the space and equipment sufficient?
• How will they know you are working?
• How many days a week you will work from a remote location. (Usually only a day or two a week to start)
• How often will you be “checking in?”
• Why do you, in particular, have the skills necessary to work from home?

2. Think like a Manager or Supervisor. Approach this proposal/conversation thinking like a manager. Don’t explain how it will benefit you; instead focus on how it will benefit the company and increase your productivity.

3. BE FLEXIBLE! Don’t initially propose this as a permanent arrangement. Explain that you’d like to try it for 2-3 months with an evaluation at the beginning, middle, and end of the trial to evaluate your progress.

4. Have measurable goals and objectives. How will they know you’re working? If you spend a lot of time preparing reports, figure out how many hours or days they usually take you to complete. If you work in a customer service position, then track how many calls you put out to clients. The bottom line is to find some way to quantify your current level of productivity so your boss or manager will have a basis for comparison.

5. Ease their fears with facts. Find recent statistics and articles about other organizations that have implemented telework programs successfully. It’s best if you can find those that pertain specifically to your job description. If you can show that other, similar companies are successfully executing telework, then the perceived risk is reduced.

I hope you found this article helpful. I cover this topic and other ways to find more flexible work and legitimate work at home jobs in my book Lose Your Commute.

What time do you work best?

One of the huge advantages of working in an “anywhere office” and having a flexible work schedule is the ability to shift your work hours to the time when you are most productive. I came across this interesting post on the Rational Rants blog on ZDnet:

Working hours: Productivity is highest on your own time by ZDNet‘s Mitch Ratcliffe — Researchers have identified “social jet lag,” the disorientation of the body clock by fixed working hours that don’t mesh with the body clock. What times would you work best?

What are your thoughts about this? Post a comment and let us know.

Google is more than a search engine

Our website spotlight from this weeks radio show was Google. I know what you’re saying . . . come on guys . . . everybody knows Google. But do you really know what they offer?

Sure everyone knows Google as one of the best and most popular search engines. But Google has a host of other services and products they offer – all of them free that really cater to living a digital lifestyle. Check out this Google Page that lists them all with links to check them out.

Here are a few of our favorites:

• Alerts – Why search the web for topics of interest when you can setup an alert and Google will email them to you?
• Desktop – A great tool to catalog and search for files and email on your computer. It actually creates a full text index of your computer so you can search for and find information as quickly as you can on the web. Also has some great tools for viewing photos and subscribing to blogs (like this one).
• Earth – Google earth is guaranteed to make your head spin and your jaw drop as you say “WOW”. Explore the world from your PC.
• Picasa – An amazing program that catalogs all the photos and graphics on your PC letting you quickly find and share them with others.
• Gmail – Google’s own web based email with a generous 2 GB of storage space and lots of great features.
• Video – Search TV programs as well as watch videos from other people on the web (or post your own).

There are lots of other goodies they have available so take a look around.

Yes Grasshopper . . . classic TV online

In talking about living a digital lifestyle during this weeks show we discussed that due to the wide spread growth of hi-speed internet access we are seeing a proliferation of entertainment media being made available online. Both music and video are now commonly available for your consumption pleasures via the web or by downloading them onto your computer or iPod.

This holds true not only for new current music and tv shows, but thanks to AOL, you can also watch some of your classic favorites online. Check out AOL’s IN2TV website.

Yes grasshopper . . . you can catch some of your favorite TVs shows from the past, all streaming online for free including some of our favorites like Kung Fu, F Troop, and Spenser for Hire. I can’t get enough David Carridine, Larry Storch, or Robert Urich. Oh my . . . how will I ever get any work done!

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