But technology is no longer a blocker. Often times companies will use this as an excuse instead of just coming out and saying "we prefer asses in seats because it looks good to our bosses".
1. Normal video chat is awful. We can't create eye to eye contact. We can't see body language. It's not very useful to build trust or bonding that way , and this is critical. There might be solutions but they're only availble to very expensive telepresence suits.
2. We haven't managed to create an informal environment via video chat , say like lunch or the water cooler.
3. Working from home requires a lot of self-discipline which is hard . Social face-to-face pressure works better as a motivator for people in general(see battle units) , and it rarely translate well into electrons.
4. Working from home is isolating, and it might be due to limits of the technology.
2. I'm not sure you need informal video chat with co-workers. #random/#ideas channels seem to do just fine.
3. Couldn't disagree more. Working from home requires the same amount of discipline as a location-dictated workplace. The difference is that a remote job is much more enlightening because there's no burden of a commute. You also don't have to put on some fake act for a lousy boss that wants you in the office at a certain time.
4. Again, I completely disagree. It's only isolating if you let it be. Get outside for a hike or a walk. Go to a coffeeshop. Find some friends to grab lunch with. I shouldn't have to point these things out. It's pretty obvious that the only way you'd be isolated is if you deliberately lock yourself in the house and never go outside.
I've worked remotely for two years now and honestly I'd have an extremely difficult time going back to location-dictated employment.
I have made friends with people I have never been ina room with. We talk about the weekend, sports, tell jokes, etc. all over video chat. If you aren't creating that informality, it's the people not the tech.
http://www.fastcodesign.com/1663105/errol-morriss-secret-wea...
That could be a major improvement for video conferencing.
#2 is solved by Slack for us... but still,
#3 and #4 is why I don't work at home. :)
http://makezine.com/projects/eye-contact-device/
I wonder why it hadn't caught up?
Also , if you turn the screen/camera 90 degrees , you may be able to capture body language.
With regards to #3/#4 would working in a local communal center, remotely to your job would work ? Is it possible to design some culture that would help with the motivation problem ?
Anyway, it feels like something that deserves a sub forum of it's own, with a community experimenting and sharing, right ?
- You need to hire people that are great self managers. This needs to be clearly communicated to the employee.
- Document everything. The internal wiki is an invaluable tool for a remote company.
- Quarterly team meetings are a requirement. You need some face to face time. Getting together at the beginning of each quarter for one week to plan is a great way to reset every 4 months.
- Send employees random gift packages and swag. This is a great way to make sure people don't fee left out.
I have taken online classes. I generally found them better than classes that thought my ass keeping their chair warm was somehow valuable.
It is hard to design a good remote environment, but it is hard to design a good anything.
