Connecting to HP’s publisher via Skype
A Message from High-Profile Monthly’s founder, Michael Barnes
HP staff members have been working from home since telecommuting became popular at the end of the 1990s. Our staff operates primarily from home offices in various towns in Massachusetts, Colorado, Florida, New Hampshire, and Vermont. We are rarely together in one office, but meet frequently through individual and group sessions via Skype. Here are five useful tips from the HP crew about working from home:
1. Talk with your family and explain your working hours and your time for family hours, and keep to them. You will probably have to do this more than once. It’s OK to remind them.
2. Set up a specific area for your virtual office. Have your day (if not week) structured to complete the tasks you must do.
3. Stay connected by checking in regularly with your team members on a conference app like Skype or Zoom, via video chat and texting.
4. Take breaks to maintain a healthy work/life balance. Step outside, even if it means standing in the doorway to get some fresh air, or taking a five minute walk to the corner. Avoid excess caffeine by replacing that extra cup of coffee with water to stay hydrated.
5. Plan on having extra time and make the most of it. If you have a two-hour, round trip commute to your office, that’s 10 hours a week of extra time available for work or other activities.
Our editors have been telecommuting from Maine and Florida for years beyond normal retirement and haven’t missed a single issue. You can do the same thing.
Most of us are familiar with doing some work remotely. I hope you find these tips helpful for the long term. Your comments and suggestions are welcome. Submit your thoughts to [email protected] or contact me directly via my Skype handle, editormb.
