What is Virtual Work?

Virtual work is a contemporary workplace strategy that consists of three primary elements: Mobile work, Distributed work, and Telecommuting/ telework. Virtual work, also known as ‘e-work,’ involves workers performing tasks which can be completed independent of any specific geographic location. Remote locations can be equipped with a variety of access and collaboration technologies depending on the specific responsibilities of the employee and which allow the employee to work just the same as if they were on site.

Three Types of Virtual Work

• Mobile Work
  Workers use multiple spaces or places to accomplish their work.
   
• Distributed Work
  Work is spread among people and/or teams, in multiple company locations
   
• Telework / Remote Work
  Work is completed at a fixed location outside the company at a home office or neighborhood work center

What Are the Benefits of Virtual Work?

What are the Benefits for the Employer?
Organizations that master virtual work can:

• attract and retain better employees without geographic limitations
• reduce employee absenteeism 
• reduce demand for office space and real estate
• improve employee performance, work & family balance 
• build a reputation as a great place to work.

© 2008 e-Work.com, Inc.

What are the Benefits for the Manager?
Managers who master virtual workplace management skills are highly effective at teaching and coaching virtual workers on work behavior, can set virtual worker performance expectations and have them routinely exceeded, and can drive the cultural change necessary to transition to the new “virtualized” workplace.

 © 2008 e-Work.com, Inc.

What are the Benefits for the Individual?
Individuals who master virtual work are skilled at maintaining connectivity and credibility while working away from the office:

• more effectively manage their time, workload and performance
• establish a highly effective, safe, secure work environment.

Individuals can also experience reduced stress and costs of commuting.

 © e-Work.com, Inc.

What are the Benefits for the Community?

• Assures that organizations remain in Northeast Ohio by attracting and retaining quality employees 
• Allows ‘under-employed’ employees to remaining in Northeast Ohio, working from home in positions more suitable to their potential  
• Improves economic development by attracting organizations to locate in Northeast Ohio 
• Lowers the carbon footprint resulting from reduced gasoline consumption and office facilities, and help the community move toward national energy independence 
• Reduces commuter traffic and demands on transportation infrastructure, resulting in reduced pollution, and improved environment and reduced traffic congestion 
• Promotes improved work and family balance and an overall improved quality of life

How to Create a Successful Virtual Work Program in Your Workplace

Executive Support and Situation Analysis
Executive support and virtual work sets the direction of the program and must be clearly articulated to assure virtual work success. Just as critical is an assessment of employee attitudes and internal obstacles to identify issues and concerns to be resolved or addressed in training and communication. Your workplace should be further evaluated through an infrastructure and site analysis to develop a clear picture of the changes needed to assure program success.

Program Vision, Plan and Roadmap
A successful program is dependent upon a clear program vision and high level virtual work goals set by executive management. This vision is converted into a plan and roadmap developed and executed by a multidisciplinary Virtual Work Team representing stakeholder departments in the organization.

Properly Developed Program and Plan
Understanding the vision and direction must be followed by a detailed planning process and effective execution.  This planning and execution should include the development of a comprehensive program charter outlining the people, resources, roles and responsibilities, boundaries, key success factors, deliverables, milestones, and timeline for the project.  This plan will also serve as the detailed roadmap to guide the cross-functional effort needed for achieving success.

Workforce and Workplace Preparation
Workforce preparation is key to program success.  Preparation should begin with program orientation and interactive training for managers that provides the guidance, tools, and resources to manage virtual office workers effectively. This training should include a well designed participant assessment and selection process. Once selected, a virtual worker’s success is greatly influenced by access to effective, interactive training that provides employees with the guidance, tools, and resources needed to thrive in a virtual work environment.  A well designed program also requires an effective internal and external communication plan for deployment over the life of the project. To maximize effectiveness of virtual workers, the organization must also provide the voice and data tools and connectivity needed to effectively, consistently perform their responsibilities.

Measuring Success and Making Adjustments
A final critical program element is the development of processes and systems that measure the progress in meeting goals set in the planning process. This should include ongoing evaluation of program results through survey instruments and focus groups, plus a well designed post-implementation program review process. Long-term program monitoring should include metrics that monitor program progress, that immediately identify issues so they can be addressed, and that allow the Team to set new directions as needed.