Since 1991, Michael J. Dziak has been a telework consultant, author and trainer.  Michael has helped dozens of companies and thousands of knowledge workers become successful in their telework experience.  He founded the Metro Atlanta Telecommuting Advisory Council, and has been featured in Computer Week Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, the USA Today, CNN and more.  Michael is the Chief Operating Officer at e-Work.com.

I met Michael at the Telework Summit in Atlanta, Georgia, last November.  Despite his years of knowledge and experience, Michael was very approachable and we had a great conversation.  e-Work.com offers e-learning courses, management tools and expert consulting services to develop, test and deploy a successful virtual work, remote work or telework program. e-Work.com principles have over 30 years experience at large at small organizations.  Telecommuting Success shares that experience with you.

One fact to keep in mind is that this book was published in 2001.  As with any IT literature, it’s hard to not be outdated on the day it’s released.  Does Telecommuting Success stay current and applicable?

Chapter 1: Working in the New Workplace

Telecommuting Success

Michael says there’s a new economy (and since this book has been published, an even newer economy).  The new economy creates a new workplace, which requires a new kind of worker.  The byproduct of all of this is telecommuting.  Michael introduces us to the characteristics of “power telecommuters.”  Do you want to propose telework to your employer or your team?  This chapter includes a great chart of telecommuting benefits paired with real life results.

Chapter 2: Positioning Yourself As a Power Telecommuter

Michael goes into more detail about the characteristics of the power telecommuter, and what it takes to become one if you currently aren’t able to work remotely.  Michael helps you see things from a company’s perspective.  He includes a great quote from Eddie Cain at TManage:

“Making a business case for the option to telecommute will only merit consideration if the argument does not appear to be self serving.  The organization has to benefit, or the effort is wasted.”

That’s a little like my daughters asking me to play in the snow for a few hours.  It’s cold, wet, and I can’t throw the snowballs hard.  Of course, there’s some intrinsic joy in watching my kids gallop about pelting me with handfuls of snow.  Your boss, however, will not be looking.  That’s entirely your job.  This chapter also contains steps for setting up your telework program and tracking your work.

Chapter 3: Maximizing Contemporary Technology Tools

Michael says, “The further you fall behind in technology, the harder it is to catch up.”  You’ll benefit from Michael’s technology “rules.”  To some them up, I’d say you better get used to upgrading your computers, phones, and hovercrafts on a regular basis.  Michael helps you think through the following details of telework:

• Main office technology platforms
• Remote-capacity bottlenecks
• Connection services
• Equipment service and support
• Accessibility

That’s a lot to consider, but again, Michael’s included a handy chart to help you assess your communication needs.  He also provides ten ways to prevent technology gaps.  Some of these examples feel a little dates (ie. buying 64MB of RAM for $600), but the logic behind his suggestions are sound.

Chapter 4: Making the Most of Your Home Office

Studies have shown that less than 50% of employers provide the equipment, furniture, and services for teleworkers.  Whether or not that’s good or bad, it does place a lot of responsibility on the employee to make these decisions.  There’s some good practical advice here on how to go about planning your home office.  Just be careful when you read this part of the book because I kept feeling the urge to drive to Ikea.  Other topics brought up include security, electricity, emergency planning, and taxes.

Chapter 5: Creating the Ideal Telecommuting Environment

This chapter is the telework trainer for you, your coworkers, your boss, and your family.  Believe me, a book could be written on training your toddler to understand you are at work even though you are home.  But my three year old has it down, and when she has friends over during the day, she is like my office sentinel… “Stay away from my daddy!  He’s really working hard right now!”  Michael wants to make sure you don’t stress out.

Chapter 6: There Is No Substitute for Good Communication

Have you ever misinterpreted an email before?  Or did your uncanny wit elude your coworker?  Communication is a crucial skill for successful telecommuting.  Michael says there’s no substitute for good communication.  There’s an etiquette to remote communication too.  A lot of this material is general knowledge, but often forgotten.  The “email do’s and don’ts” is a great refresher.  There’s also voicemail etiquette, and I have to say, the last voicemail I received from Michael was elegant, informative, and to the point.  PLEASE READ THIS SECTION!  Whoops, I just broke the all caps rule…

Chapter 7: Fitting in While Working Away

If for nothing else, I think teleworkers of all types will appreciate this chapter.  How do you remain visible and plugged in to your company?  As a telecommuter, you’ll always have skeptics, so don’t slack off… and don’t joke about it either.  Be professional, prompt, and organized.  Your availability should not be a mystery.  Phil Montero says,

“Have an established schedule for checking voicemail and email.  This promotes better communication and avoids any confusion about the timeliness of messages being delivered.”

Being reachable is just one of Michael’s many suggestions on how to stay visible.  This is also referred to as being a “transparent telecommuter.”

Chapter 8: Positioning Yourself for the Future

“You can always be a better telecommuter,” Michael says.  This chapter is for those of us out there worried that telework is career suicide.  The chapter shares how to regularly shine in performance and evaluations. It recaps the previous seven chapters, but also adds a few more suggestions: planning for your future, identifying what managers are looking for, updating your skill sets, and finding that telecommuting job.

Worth a Read?

As far as the concern about being outdated?  No worries.  The advice is still solid today.

If you are a telecommuter, a wishful thinker, or a manager of either of those, this book will prove to be a great resource for you.  If you’re an executive planning your telework program, it’s a no brainer: Telecommuting Success is for you.  It’s loaded with practical advice from a seasoned expert.  I enjoyed the practical approach to this book.  You could pick it up, skim a chapter, and already have better direction in your career as a teleworker.

More Info

e-Learning course

While you can still buy a copy of the book, it’s a little hard to find large supplies of the book right now.  If you like the sound of Telecommuting Success but need to share its information with a large group, take a look at e-Work.com’s training program and services.  Many of the book’s key learning elements are covered in depth by e-Work.com’s employee e-Learning course.