Many companies, including Twitter, recommend working from home for their staff, in the wake of the coronavirus. King County, which is home to Seattle, Washington, where a dozen people have died, made the same recommendation.
New to teleworking? We have some ideas of what you will need to recreate the home office experience.
1. Good internet connection
You will not go anywhere if you cannot connect.
A word of advice: work near the router to get the best signal, or splurge on a “mesh” system like Amazon Eero ($ 99 for 1, $ 249 for 3) or Google’s Nest Wi-Fi ($ 149 for 1, $ 269 for 2) which help distribute the wifi signal evenly and strengthen it at home.
If you don’t want to spend and have a bad internet connection, there is always the last resort: the hotspot. Wireless companies allow you to connect your computer to your phone for the Internet, by going to Settings, but only for a limited time. For example, my T-Mobile plan offers 200 gigabytes of data and then slows you down to analysis once you’ve used everything. What is the size of 200 GB? Who knows. They don’t tell you. But in my experience, everything goes fast, in a day or two.
2. Dedicated area
Your home will likely be quieter and less crowded than what you have at work.
However, a dedicated private space, however small, is a good start. “Put yourself in a place where you will not be distracted by personal belongings (laundry, children, dinner preparation, etc.). This can become a slippery slope,” said San Francisco-based publicist Kat Eller Murray. This can be the kitchen table, the sofa, a comfortable place and with a place to sit for a long time.
“A good support office chair at the right height. Ergonomics is important!” notes Los Angeles area photographer Kathy Carson Newman. (Expenses $ 10,000 for a chair may seem a bit extreme, but sister publication USA TODAY Review.com found a list of more affordable chairs, ranging from $ 200 to $ 800.)
3. Take steps not to be interrupted
It could mean a sticky note at the door during calls / meetings, or “ask people not to knock or knock on the door,” notes musician Michael Gallant. “and lower the volume of the intercom buzzers if you live in a building.” Also, tell your friends and family, “because some people think that working from home means you’re on a break,” notes Melissa Hourigan, a Denver-based reporter.
4. Meetings, part 1
Your office colleagues may like to organize meetings, or potential clients may want to see your face and communicate with you. It has never been easier, thanks to a multitude of free meeting programs. But first, you will need a webcam, if your computer does not have one integrated. You can get a cheap model for less than $ 75 or use the cameras on your smartphone instead.
5. Meetings, part 2
To communicate with others, there are dozens of free programs for easy one-on-one conversations, like Apple’s FaceTime, Skype, Facebook Messenger, and Google Hangouts. Many will also allow you to call on other users. Zoom is the new essential program for companies and is also free for individuals. Meetings are no more than 40 minutes long, but Zoom calls are end-to-end encrypted, unlike Messenger and Hangout calls. (Facebook says it is looking to provide encryption to Messenger calls but has not yet deployed it.)
Gallant adds a professional video composition tip: “If you’re videoconferencing, find a place with a non-distracting background and good lighting.” It could be as simple as not sitting with the window behind you, as the brightness will cause the camera to expose for the window, not your face, turning you into a figure. Instead, turn around and be lit by the window.
6. Pro Instant Messaging Tools
Sure, you can use Facebook’s Messenger, WhatsApp or Apple iMessages to stay in touch in real time and help tame the ever-increasing email, but many companies prefer dedicated networks designed for business. The first two both start for free: the motto of Microsoft Team is “Work remotely without feeling remote”, and has a startup plan with limited file storage, or $ 5 per month for the pro version, while Slack is free and paid if you create a phone or video call, $ 6.67 per month.
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Advice:How to Request Telework Benefits: Ask HR
7. Headphones
You will need a good pair of headsets to speak on the hands-free phone. Many swear by Apple’s AirPods ($ 169) and the new AirPods Pro ($ 249), which stay in the ear more easily. A cheaper alternative is Amazon’s Echo Buds, which retails for $ 129. Michael Oldenburg, a manager at the DJI drone maker, likes them for meetings, “or just to block out the noise.”
8. Calendars
Share what you do with colleagues with a shared calendar. Free options include Google Calendar and Zoho.
9. Security
At home and at work, your phone will ring, your email will ring and, as part of legitimate communication attempts, there will be scams and scams. Be at home like you would at work.
“Hackers have never let a good crisis go to waste,” said Colin Bastable, CEO of Lucy Security, a training company. “People working from home are easily distracted, especially if they are normally used to working in the office, and they will mix work with personal messaging and web browsing. This increases the risks they may present to their employers and colleagues, by clicking on malware links. “
So, again, think before you click. And read our 11 recent steps for safer safety tips.
A telephone support will take the device out of your hands and allow you to continue working hands-free. It’s a great place to park your phone when you are speaking in a meeting and the device is charging while you are speaking. You can choose one for less than $ 10. A power strip will help you immensely, as a place to plug in the laptop, phone and headset charger and more. We bought this 12-socket Belkin power strip with surge protector for $ 22 and no longer need to search for an available outlet. Our colleague Kelly Tyko swears to have a second monitor to enlarge his laptop. It may, for example, have USA TODAY publishing software on one screen and Microsoft Teams on the other. “It takes a while to get used to it, but I find it hard not to use additional screens,” she said. “So I bought the laptop for the times when I have to travel.” She likes the Asus MB168B, a 15-inch monitor that looks like a standalone iPad, and sells for just over $ 125. You may need to make a call abroad without having access to the office telephone system. Skype will allow you to make Skype to Skype calls for free, just like Facebook Messenger, Apple FaceTime and others. What if you need to dial a phone number? Skype charges $ 5.50 for 220 minutes. Japanese application The line will allow you to make international calls for free, if you first look at an ad. “The will to not wash dishes, go to the bathroom, and eat all day instead of working,” notes Boston area writer Josh Bernoff. “It also helps to use social media to interact with other humans, but NOT WHEN YOU NEED TO CONCENTRATE.” And don’t forget to dress for work, even if you’re at home. “Prepare yourself as if you were always going to the office,” says Hourigan. “Don’t get caught in your pajamas when a videoconference appears.” Readers: did we miss something? We would love to hear from you. Let us know your favorite home office tools. Look for me on Twitter, @jeffersongraham10. Little things
11. Second screen
12. Free phone calls: how to do International
13. And above all
