Teleworkers come in all shapes and sizes. Some never meet their teams face-to-face while others are in the office a few days of every week. Maryanne Perrin co-founded Balancing Professionals, LLC to help companies understand that non-standard workplaces are a good investment.
Maryanne is a telecommuter in the Raleigh, Durham area and runs her company without any brick and mortar offices. She dropped by to share her experience and answer 10 Telecommuting Questions.
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do.
I’ve spent most of my career with start-up tech companies and loved it! Five years ago I started a completely different type of business (Balancing Professionals, LLC) to help organizations re-think how they work and embrace more flexible work arrangements like telecommuting, part-time and job-share positions, flexible scheduling, and non-traditional career paths. These types of arrangements offer tremendous benefits to employers and employees and are really a no-brainer when you see all the studies that support them. However, changing the workplace culture to enable them can often be challenging!
2. How long have you been a telecommuter?
I’ve been doing some aspect of my job from home for the last 15 years. Ever since I had a laptop. Now, I’m a 100 percent telecommuter!
3. Why did you start?
Like many entrepreneurs, the decision to telecommute was a bottom-line decision. For our business model, it didn’t make financial sense to have a bricks and mortar office so my business partner and I have both worked out of home offices for the last 5 years.
4. How many people do you regularly work with?
My business partner, Kella, and I are in touch frequently using a variety of technologies. I also work with job-seekers in the Raleigh/Durham area, business leaders, and a great network of women entrepreneurs who have formed an advisory board.
Some days it’s just me and the dog. Those days are very productive!
5. When was the last time you saw your coworkers face-to-face?
I saw Kella a week and a half ago when we had a full day of meetings with a community leader and our advisory group. We’ve been experimenting with technologies like CrossLoop which allows us to share computer screens without being face-to-face. It decreases our need for in-person meetings.
6. What is your desert island must-have telecommuting tool?
Definitely my iPhone. Work has gotten even more mobile now that I’m not tied to my laptop. For example I often answer emails or read articles while I’m waiting somewhere for my kids.
7. How many different ways did you communicate with your team today?
Email and text message
8. What is the one thing that really makes your home office officy?
The sound proof door!
9. Do you ever miss cubicle livin’?
While I sometime miss being part of a bigger team, I don’t miss the inflexibility associated with cubicle life. Thankfully, social networking technologies help me feel connected to a great network of really smart people without having to live in the cube!
10. What are the best pajamas for long conference calls?
For me, it’s all about the slippers and the hot cup of tea.
- Find out more about Maryanne’s company at: Balancing Professionals
- Connect with Maryanne on LinkedIn
- Follow @BalancingProf on Twitter
Thanks for stopping by Maryanne!