You can save on fuel costs, stay home when the weather is bad, and get your work done your own way.

So, who doesn’t love working remotely?

In my opinion, having no supervision and being physically isolated can make it easy to lose focus and put off work, which may cast doubt on your ability to work independently.

It could also cost you the opportunity to work remotely ever again. And when it comes to your chances of getting promoted at the company, the saying “out of sight,

out of mind” may apply.

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Six Tips for Remote Work

If you work remotely, here are six tips on how you can be fully present, even when you’re not physically there.

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Be Accessible

Give your manager, coworkers, and customers several ways to reach you. Email is the standard option, but

phone calls, Skype, web chat, and other messaging tools can also be faster and more personal. Don’t

put your mobile phone on silent, and keep chat apps open on your laptop. This gives the impression that you’re easy

to reach throughout working hours, which boosts your credibility and shows that you’re willing to collaborate and work together. If you happen to miss a call

or don’t see an email as soon as it arrives, get back to the sender as soon as possible.

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Embrace More Technology

One way you can improve Teamwork This means using collaboration services such as Dropbox, Basecamp, and Google Docs. Being able to

share files with colleagues quickly and easily is essential for working remotely. Sending multiple updates for large files has become

an outdated practice, as it can leave you unsure which version is the latest. Also, if you’re handling confidential documents, your company may

require you to use its own file-sharing service.

Being able to view your colleagues’ screens is also important for creative teams working remotely. Google+ Hangouts allows

users to work together on documents in Google Docs at the same time, while Skype offers screen sharing.

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Be Prepared for Technical Issues

No one will accept hearing that you missed an interview or project deadline because of “computer problems.” Stay in regular contact with the person

in charge of your IT team so they can help with things like video conferencing, backing up information and documents, providing

software updates, and other technical matters. If your company doesn’t have an IT support team and you’re handling things on your own, or if your company supports

one operating system while you use another, find a local IT service provider and make sure you have an easy way to reach them.

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Be Consistent, Not Constantly Changing

Try to keep a consistent work schedule while working remotely. That way, your manager and colleagues will know when they can expect to reach you. It’s

also important to let your manager and team know when you’ll be unavailable, both by telling them from time to time and by using the feature

Set up automatic email replies to let people know you’re currently unavailable. If you work for a large organization with multiple branches, plan your day around the time zone of

the head office, or as agreed with your remote team.

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كن محترفاً

Working from home can blur the line between your workplace and your place of rest, which may lead you to slack off on tasks you’re expected to complete or to remain

under pressure all the time. From time to time, rent office space at a major coworking company that can provide all the support

and services you need. This will help you focus entirely on doing your job professionally, without distractions at home or having to give up

the benefits of working independently.

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كن هناك، بجسدك

Even if you’re great at what you do and are consistently praised for your work, make sure you stay visible and set aside time for face-to-face meetings. If

you work remotely in the same city as your company’s headquarters, drop by regularly and attend company events whenever

you can, even if attendance isn’t required. When your company asks you to come in for an in-person interview or an all-hands meeting, arrange to meet with your team

before or afterward to catch up on what’s new. Also, regularly meeting with your coworkers—whether over coffee or

lunch—will help you maintain healthy working relationships with them.

Remote work can lead to a huge boost in productivity and greater satisfaction with your end product. Staying closely connected with your colleagues and managers when you’re not

Being physically present in the office can help you stay visible, so you’re less likely to be overlooked for promotions or miss out on exciting opportunities and assignments.

For remote workers and entrepreneurs, Dorr Businesswomen’s Center offers virtual office services, including phone and official business address services.

You can find more services on the center’s website.