10 Tips to help remote workers succeed inside the
office
Paul HepworthVP Engineering
A little aboutUserTesting
14 of our 87 employees are
located across 12 cities in North
America
Lets begin with the right technology
Tip 1: Use dedicated computers that allow
proactive chat
Use dedicated computers that allow proactive
chat…• Remotes can “see” in the office when they want
• Allows for the proverbial “tap on the shoulder”
• Here is what is looks like at UserTesting…
Tip 2: Use wide-angle webcams
Use wide-angle webcams…
• Remotes can see the “big picture”
• Non-verbal communication
• I would recommend….
Genius 120-degree Ultra Wide Angle Full HD Conference Webcam — $42 on
Amazonhttp://bit.ly/best-webcam-ever
Genius 120-degree Ultra Wide Angle Full HD Conference Webcam — $42 on
Amazonhttp://bit.ly/best-webcam-ever
Tip 3: Microphones are important
Microphones are important…
• Hearing is crucial to good communication
• Your internal microphone is BAD!
• I would recommend…..
MXL AC404 USB Conference Microphone
— $67 on Amazonhttp://bit.ly/best-mic-ever
Tip 4: Invest in good speakers
Invest in good speakers…
• Good sound gives equal footing in a conversation
• Poor sound reflects poorly on the person speaking
• I would recommend….
JBL Duet III Premium High Performance Speaker System — $149
on Amazonhttp://bit.ly/best-speakers-ever
Tip 5: Use permalinks for “virtual conference
rooms”
Use permalinks for “virtual conference
rooms”…• Meetings should never end
• Use bit.ly to shorten long URLs
• Give distinct names that are easy to reference in chat, email, or in person
• Mobile device friendly
Howtos for creating permalinks for “virtual conference rooms”…
• Google Hangout:http://bit.ly/never-ending-hangout
• GoToMeeting:http://bit.ly/never-ending-gotomeeting
Now, lets build the right culture on top of
the technology
Tip 6: Balance teams with co-located and remote members
If possible balance teams with co-located and remote
members…• Locals are less likely to forget remotes
• Less tempted to hold a meeting without the remotes
• Remote can compare notes & influence change
Tip 7: Invite remotes to office parties and
spontaneous discussions
Invite remotes to office parties and spontaneous
discussions…• Knowing you are always invited goes a long way
• Send remotes a pizza
• Record and share “offline” conversations
• Leverage mobile devices and bring them along
Tip 8: Provide office context to remote
workers
Provide office context to remote workers…
• Remotes should know about office layout, coffee, snacks
• Leverage your most chatty team members
• Knowing about “small things” builds confidence
Tip 9: Proactively invite remote workers
to visit the office
Proactively invite remote workers to visit the
office…• Inviting ensures that they feel support
• Let them book their own travel
• Webcam’s can’t replace in person relationship building
Tip 10: Everyone should work from home sometimes
Everyone should work from home sometimes…
• Locals build empathy
• People appreciate advantages of remote work
• Unfriendly processes and tools are found and fixed
Good luck!
