Working in a home office requires a unique set of skills. Tele-workers or virtual employees have additional challenges created by not being in a centralized office. Communication issues alone make it a challenging job, and recognizing these challenges will help your participants become great tele-workers.

Through Tele-work and Tele-Commuting your employees will see a great improvement in their performance and well-being. Being a tele-worker does have the advantages of flexible schedules, no commute, and saving the company money. Your participants will establish the additional skills needed to be successful in their work from home environment.

At the end of this workshop, participants should be able to:

• Know the skills required for working outside the office
• Learn keys to proper self-management
• Learn ways to manage time efficiently
• Know different methods of organization and planning
• Identify various forms of communication and their proper use
• Address and resolve challenges that tele-workers can face

Course Outline:

Module One: Getting Started

Housekeeping Items

The Parking Lot

Workshop Objectives

Pre-Assignment

Action Plans and Evaluations

Module Two: Core Skills Required 

Self-Management

Time Management

Organizing and Planning

Communication

Case Study

Module Two: Review Questions

Module Three: Self-Management (I) 

Solving Problems on Your Own

Being and Staying Motivated

You Have More Freedom, Don’t Abuse It

You and Only You are Accountable

Case Study

Module Three: Review Questions

Module Four: Self-Management (II)

Recognize and Remove Bad Habits

Reflect on Mistakes, and Learn from Them

Establish Good Habits

Be Assertive With Yourself

Case Study

Module Five: Time Management (I) 

Build a Little Flexibility Into Your Schedule

Identify and Remove Time Wasters

Working with Time Zones

Using Free Time Wisely

Case Study

Module Five: Review Questions

Module Six: Time Management (II) 

The Urgent/Important Matrix

Setting and Sticking to Deadlines

The Glass Jar: Rocks, Pebbles, Sand, and Water

Recognize When You are Procrastinating

Case Study

Module Six: Review Questions

Module Seven: Organization and Planning (I) 

Plan for Additional Stress

When to Seek Help

Being Proactive, not Reactive

Establish Priorities and Attainable Goals

Case Study

Module Seven: Review Questions

Module Eight: Organization and Planning (II) 

Setting up Your Home Office

Remove Unneeded or Distracting Items

When Technology Fails?

Develop a Normal Working Day

Case Study

Module Eight: Review Questions

Module Nine: Communication (I)

Stay in the Loop

Use the Correct Medium

Be Clear and To the Point

Virtual Communication Can Be Impersonal

Case Study

Module Nine: Review Questions

Module Ten: Communication (II) 

Open and Frequent Communication

Share Your Information

Have a Collaborative Attitude

Setting Expectations with Family and Friends

Case Study

Module Ten: Review Questions

Module Eleven: Additional Challenges 

Building Trust and Rapport

Feeling Isolated

Always in the Office

Lack of or Less Feedback

Case Study

Module Eleven: Review Questions

Module Twelve: Wrapping Up 

Words from the Wise

Review of Parking Lot

Lessons Learned

Completion of Action Plans and Evaluations