Despite the economic challenges of the last few years, 68 percent of Best and Brightest Companies to Work For applicants still managed to increase their employee base compensation in 2010, according to Jennifer Kluge, president and CEO of the National Association for Business Resources (NABR), the organization that sponsors the annual competition in several Midwest regions. “In addition, we also found that most menu-driven benefits packages and financial incentives now exceed standard perks to include items such as employee discounts with negotiated vendors (78 percent), wellness incentives (73 percent) and much more,” she said.
“This year’s competition also showed us that work-life balance issues continue to grow in importance with nearly 75 percent of companies offering their employees opportunities to telecommute while more than 90 percent offer flexible scheduling that includes everything from flex-time to job sharing, and family leave policies that go beyond legal requirements are offered by nearly 60 percent. More than 48 percent of applicants offer a phased return-to-work process for those coming back from a leave of absence,” Kluge continued.
She went on to explain that Best and Brightest Companies had a strong employee focus in other areas . . . >>Continue reading Despite Economic Challenges, the Trends of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For Make Them Viable
On October 20-21, 2011, the International Virtual Assistants Association (IVAA) will host its sixth Online IVAA Summit entitled, “VA Adventures — Learning, Exploring, Growing.” This year’s Summit is specifically designed to help new and seasoned virtual assistants and other entrepreneurs grow and streamline their business. The Summit sets sail Thursday, Oct. 20 – 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. (US Eastern), Friday, Oct. 21 – 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. with over 30 sessions available from leading experts. >>Continue reading An All Online Conference for Virtual Assistants
When you’re looking for legitimate work at home jobs it’s pretty common to come across writing gigs that note “$675/mo base” as the compensation. Ever wonder what jobs those listings are referring to?
Well, it’s likely those listings are referring to About.com’s Guide positions. If you’ve been on the Internet for very long at all you’ve probably seen About.com, the website’s been around for quite a long time. In… >>Continue reading Share Your Passion - Be an About.com Guide
Is working from home an efficient alternative to the traditional office job or a productivity killer? The results of a new CareerBuilder survey on telecommuting may bolster the arguments for both sides. While nearly one-in-five (17 percent) Americans who telecommute at least part of the time spend one hour or less per day on work, 35 percent work eight or more hours – a major increase from a 2007 CareerBuilder study in which only 18 percent of telecommuters said they worked eight or more hours. Forty percent of telecommuters work between four and seven hours per day.
See CareerBuilder’s survey results, visually! >>Continue reading Working From Home - Productivity Driver or Drainer?
I know, personally, that I’m happier as a telecommuter than I ever was working in the traditional, commuting work force. But it’s nice to see another survey confirming what I already know. Staples, one of my favorite stores since they cater to home office customers like me, notes that 86% of telecommuters say they’re more productive in their home office. They also report that telecommuters are happier and healthier, more loyal, and better balanced. >>Continue reading Staples Says Telecommuters are Happier and Healthier
Do many of the people you work with work outside of the office? How has that affected your ability to manage and/or collaborate effectively?
Register for Citrix Online’s free webinar to hear James Ware, founder of The Future of Work…Unlimited, provide insights on how the nature of work has changed to include mobile and remote employees – and the challenges this new reality creates for managers. He’ll then offer… >>Continue reading Free Webinar - Managing People You Can't See
Telework Week Recap Finds Productivity Gains, Increased Management Support, and Savings at the Pump
ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 29, 2011 – Telework ExchangeSM, a public-private partnership focused on demonstrating the tangible value of telework, today announced the results of National Telework Week, an effort that encouraged employees to telework during the week of February 14-18, 2011. Underwritten by Cisco, the post-Telework Week report, “Filling the Tank with Telework: The 2011… >>Continue reading Telework Week Pledges Filled Their Tanks with $2.7 Million in Commuting Savings; Demonstrated a Nationwide Impact
I swear, I’m not making this up. I’ve seen the Bruce Willis movie, you know, the one where robots interact for people in the futuristic world where humans live in isolation, controlling said robots from a control room inside their homes?!
I remember thinking, after watching that movie, that the idea of robotic surrogates really wasn’t that far fetched. As I type this I’m avoiding my Wii personal trainer and we’re getting xbox kinect for our big family holiday gift this year (which supposedly gives my virtual personal trainer even more information about me and my lack of controlled yoga movements).
I really didn’t think having a robotic surrogate representing me in some physical office location would be a real possibility within the year, but guess what. The future is here! >>Continue reading Anybots - The Telecommuter's Avatar
At least some of them do, thanks to Amit Gupta, Luke Crawford, and their friends. They’re credited with the creation of casual, co-working events known as Jellies!
Since its inception in 2006, Jelly groups have been forming around the world, with many people praising the added social components it affords without all the office politics. If you work at home you know that sometimes you can feel pretty darned isolated. And if you’re looking to work at home, but worried about missing the social aspect of working in an office, take heart. Jellies might just be your answer. >>Continue reading Musicians Jam - Telecommuters Jelly
