How to tell when telecommuting won't work for you

By Lea Green

Published July 05, 2012

Teleworking seems like a no-brainer. It can save businesses billions of dollars in travel costs and office expenses while significantly cutting environmental emissions and paper consumption.

Yet even though the ranks of pajama-wearing keyboard jockeys are growing, the share of the U.S. workforce that telecommutes is still less than 3 percent. What will it take to get more businesses to embrace remote working? One key is to acknowledge that while telecommuting is great for the planet, it's not for everyone -- and knowing how to evaluate who's a good candidate for working remotely and who's not can be crucial to the success of a business's telecommuting strategy.

The green benefits of teleworking are undisputed: cleaner air, lower operating costs, and increased efficiency, for starters. Assuming a 40-mile roundtrip commute, each employee allowed to work from home saves the company -- and the planet -- 40,000 pounds of CO₂ emissions annually. And that's just for one day telecommuting per week.

Plus, businesses save an average of $20,000 annually for each full-time remote employee, data from The Telework Coalition shows. And many states offer incentive programs, like the Georgia Clean Air Campaign , that provide resources and funding to help develop a telecommuting policy. Employees who work at home don’t require duplicate office equipment, such as landline phones (though a smartphone is a “must have” as a telecommuter), fax machines, chairs and other office equipment that would likely wind up in landfills. Telecommuters also tend to use less paper by saving files digitally and in the cloud, thus reducing storage space, the need for larger office or storage buildings and, of course, trees.

And yet, only 2.9 million employees work from home more than half the time(not including the self-employed). Meanwhile, 40 percent of U.S. employees (approximately 50 million) hold jobs that that could be done while teleworking.

Many businesses remain skeptical about allowing their employees to telecommute. Some employers -- adhering to old-school office models -- expect employees to punch in at 9, do their work under watchful supervision, and punch out at 5, just as they themselves did back in the day. Some believe unless an employee is closely monitored, he or she will goof off.  Such thinking is not only outdated but refuted by current statistics on telecommuter productivity . Others cite fears about security breaches, although the most common concerns are easily resolvable .

Nevertheless, not all employee positions are suitable for teleworking; even those employees who can do their work from home are sometimes better offnot doing so. Employers and employees must negotiate to determine when telecommuting is mutually beneficial. Here are a few considerations that should be taken into account:

When to say no

The employee’s job simply can’t be done from home: When the equipment necessary to an employee’s job duties can’t easily be relocated off-site, teleworking is not an option. The same holds true for those who work with specialized machinery or highly sensitive data. Until technology provides concrete solutions to restrictions such as these, some employees must do their work on-site.

The employee needs a structured environment: Working from home requires an innate ability to focus, remain on track, and be productive in isolation. Research has shown that not everyone is suited for telecommuting due to individual personality types and motivators. Some employees perform best within the structure and familiarity of the office milieu. Others thrive on physical interaction with and feedback from supervisors and team members. When deciding who should and shouldn’t telecommute, managers must assess their employees’ strengths and weaknesses and be familiar with their work habits and motivations.

The employee lacks suitable teleworking tools: Accessibility is a must for a teleworker. Unless an employee is equipped with a reliable computer, up-to-date software, and suitable communication technology—such as a smartphone, laptop, email, IM, and conferencing tools like iMeet and GlobalMeet —productivity as well as fluid and timely interactions with office colleagues will be compromised. Management must decide if the budget will allow upgrading an employee’s home office so that it complies with company standards. If the employee lacks the tools—and the company is unable or unwilling to provide them—teleworking should not be considered because the success of the employee will be undoubtedly compromised.

When to say yes

The employee’s performance is not location-dependent: While some professional positions are not well-suited for teleworking, others are . Armed with the right technology, an employee whose job duties can be performed on- or off-site equally can become an effective teleworker. In fact, management might find it advantageous to let him or her work remotely. Not only does the company and the environment benefit by supporting telework, employees who work off-site are typically more productive and professionally satisfied when freed from the incessant distractions, interruptions, and politics of the office.

The employee is self-motivated and productive: Some of the qualities that mark a successful in-office employee (punctuality, dependability, productivity, attention to detail—to name a few) often suggest that he or she will also do well working from home. Employees who are self-starters, who manage their time well and meet deadlines consistently, who require minimal supervision to complete their tasks, and who are capable of effectively communicating with coworkers electronically are well-suited to working re motely. Factor in the benefits commonly associated with teleworking, and both employer and employee might find that teleworking is the best all-around choice.

The employee has compatible tools: Technology has provided us with devices that are simple, personal, and mobile. The right hardware, software, and communication tools enable telecommuters to do their work fluidly and maintain team relationships from anywhere, at any time. Feelings of isolation or marginalization can be mitigated by keeping in touch with colleagues via phone or email and by attending meetings with videoconferencing tools such as iMeet. While it isn’t necessary or practical for a home office to be equipped with state-of-the-art printers, scanners, and fax machines, it is crucial that the employee have tools that are right for the job and compatible with current office equipment.

Should your company consider telework? Maybe, maybe not. It makes good business sense to allow select employees to telecommute, however. Managers who are uncertain of the risks and benefits might try letting employees work from home one day a week; in time—once a successful routine has bolstered trust—employer and employee can discuss a regular practice. The fact is that telecommuting is here to stay. The advantages are many, and the practitioners are growing in number every day. My advice? Give telework a try. You’ll find that the benefits to your company, your employees, and the planet merit a leap of faith.

http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2012/07/05/how-tell-when-telecommuting-wont-work-you

4 things not to do when you work from home

(MoneyWatch) COMMENTARY Lots of people work from home. According to the most recent American Time Use Survey, 21% of people do some or all of their work at home on the days they work. Of course, not all that time is used well. According to a recent study by Wakefield Research and Citrix, 43% of workers say they've watched TV or a movie while working remotely.

TV seems like an obvious no-no, but here are some other things people do when working from home that I think are big mistakes.

1. Work 100 hours a week. Yes, it's theoretically possible if you don't have to haul yourself anywhere to work all the time. Indeed, the only time log I've ever seen featuring a 100-hour workweek involved a self-employed person who worked from home (and yes, I've seen time logs from employees at major banks, consulting companies, law firms, etc.). Just because you can sit at your computer all day doesn't mean you should. Get out. Make friends. You'll be more productive and you'll be a better person if you actually have a life.

2. Laundry. Sure, you could throw in a load during a break, and fold it while you're on a conference call, but there are two problems here. One, if you have to pay so little attention during the conference call that you can do something else, why are you on that call? And two, you don't want to establish the assumption, in your family, that you should do the chores because you're at home. You're working. Unless other family members report to the office with a pile of shirts and an ironing board to get in a little ironing during meetings, you shouldn't do it either. If you want to do something to take a break, take a real break. Go outside. Go for a walk.

3. Skimp on childcare. Working from home is great if you have a childcare emergency. Many parents also find that they can build kid-time into a work-from-home schedule (I tend not to schedule calls at noon because that's when I eat lunch with my children). But that's a far cry from trying to work without childcare, or with minimal help. Sending emails furtively while you're "playing" with your kids on the playground isn't fair to the kids. Paying for high-quality childcare is an investment in your career, and being truly present when you're with your kids shows that you think they're important.

4. Dive straight from work to life. Commutes are awful, but they serve a purpose. They give you a break between the demands of your career and the demands of your family. They help you transition from one mindset to another. If you work from home, give yourself 10 minutes to decompress at the end of the day before emerging from your office.

What will you do -- and won't you do -- when you work from home?

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505125_162-57465326/4-things-not-to-do-when-you-work-from-home/

Tools that Make Telecommuting Easier

Telecommunications is an important part of any marketing company. Even for those working from home, it’s the backbone of most marketing plans mainly because the conversion rate of telecommunications are much higher than all other types of person to person advertising.

This sounds great, so why isn’t everyone doing it?

The problem is that this process can become quite complicated and expensive. If not managed properly, it can be downright overwhelming. Fortunately, there are a ton of inexpensive tools that can be used to make life much easier. Here are a few of the best:

Clearview Telecom Expense Management Software

Let’s face it, money is the most important factor of any business. The problem many new entrepreneurs have is keeping track of expenses – especially when it comes to telecommunications . That’s the reason they afraid to tap into this powerful form of marketing. Clearview Telecom Expense Management Software makes this process very easy. This software can take care away the headache of transitioning into telecom applications. The features include:

• Built and priced for all size businesses, not just for high end companies.
• Accessible from anywhere.
• Telecommunication expense reporting.

Vendor Management System

Vendor Management System  is like the above tool in that it offers expense management. However, it goes a step further and doesn’t limit users to just telecommunications. This system can be adapted to manage most aspects of a business, making it the most powerful tool in the industry.

Accessories

Okay, so this isn’t exactly one tool. Nevertheless, having the right accessories makes telecommuting much easier. An example of an accessory that makes telecommuting better is a headset. They give a higher call quality and–let’s face it–are much better than holding a phone to your ear!

A Bluetooth is another great accessory for the same reason.

Everyone uses Skype – or almost everyone. Either way, Skype provides several free tools and several inexpensive upgrades that can be utilized to meet the requirements of those providing services from their home. Skype offers online numbers for very inexpensive rates.

Contract Logix – Last but not least, we come to Contract Logix. They specialize in storing contact information and provide a very affordable option for those trying to keep their budget to a minimum.

The idea is to find telecommunications tools that make life easier. They don’t have to be fancy or expensive. In fact, most businesses will find the lower end tools much better suited to fit their needs.

http://eco-officegals.com/2012/06/28/5-tools-that-make-telecommuting-easier/

Here’s the quickest least expensive way to cut traffic congestion

Don McKee

slideshow

Millions are being spent on promoting the proposed one percent area sales tax for economic development, transportation projects and various amenities ranging from parks to sidewalks, while a faster, less costly way to relieve traffic is being short-changed.

The TSPLOST/TIA will not do much to unclog traffic anytime soon, if ever. That’s clear despite claims by supporters of the tax plan. The focus is on moving people instead of riding the technology wave in our changing work culture.

This is the time to be educating and encouraging employers and employees to enter the teleworking and telecommuting world. Wholesale commuting via autos, buses and trains should be giving way to the far less expensive and much more efficient option of working from home or remote sites that do not require commuting, i.e., sitting in traffic, burning gasoline, polluting the air, enduring stress, etc.

Atlanta already is a leader in telework with Microsoft last year recognizing our capital as the nation’s “friendliest city for telework.” Information workers in this metro area were doing their jobs remotely five days a week per month — one day better than the national average. Atlanta had “the highest support levels from colleagues and the highest use of secure internal social networking tools to collaborate with customers.”

Georgia took a leap forward back in 2007 when it became the first state to offer telework tax credits to businesses. That helped push the number of Georgia teleworkers up by 35 percent in three years, reaching about 600,000 in 2010, the Telework Research Network reports. Currently, 20 million to 30 million Americans work from home at least one day a week, not including the self-employed. It’s the trend, the future of work for many more millions that no longer need to sit at a desk in an office in a high-rise building far from their homes.

Fully 40 percent of workers in this country have jobs that could be done at home, according to a study (Matthews and Williams) – 50 million workers that could be off the highways and streets, saving gas, money, time, air quality and more. Telework said 61 percent of all federal employees “are considered eligible for telework,” but only 5.2 percent do so regularly. 

More frequent telecommuting is already the second option of choice for employers dealing with higher gasoline prices. Thirty-three percent use that option, second to increased car-pooling, the choice of 46 percent of employers. 

“Companies are offering telecommuting as a way to give employees more flexible schedules and in some cases make up for not offering bigger raises, but also to curb office space expenses,” Telework Research’s Kate Lister told SecondAct.com. 

“The ongoing rise of telework reflects the new realities of today’s mobile information age,” said Ron Markezich, corporate vice president, Microsoft U.S. Enterprise and Partner Group. “Telework is no longer a company perk for employees but a business imperative,” he said. 

It’s time to focus on the quickest, least expensive way to cut traffic congestion – without raising taxes. 

dmckee9613@aol.com

1 in 5 Minnesota Workers Teleworks

1 in 5 Minnesota Workers Teleworks

via Blandin on Broadband by Ann Treacy on 6/18/12

Last week, Connect Minnesota released a report on telework in Minnesota. I’m a little slow on the uptake reading it because ironically, I have bene travelling to my annual summer exodus to Ireland. So I am acutely aware of the benefits of telework. To cut to the quick numbers…
According to Connect Minnesota’s 2011 Residential Technology Assessment, 22% of Minnesota adults who are employed fulltime or part-time say that they work from home, or telework.

The report paints a picture of folks who currently telework…
There is no significant difference between the share of men and women who telework in Minnesota. The same is true for employed men and women in Minnesota who do not telework. Teleworkers do tend to be younger, though, as a larger share of the non-teleworking workforce is age 45 or older. Teleworkers also tend to have higher education and higher annual incomes, with over one-half of teleworkers (51%) earning $75,000 or more (compared to only 28% of employed Minnesotans who do not telework). More than one in four employed Minnesotans who do not telework (26%) live in rural counties, compared to only 16% of teleworkers. In addition, many parents in Minnesota are using teleworking as a way to balance their work and home lives, as over one-half of teleworkers (54%) report having children at home, compared to only 42% of employees who do not telework. This means that approximately 310,000 employed Minnesota parents are able to spend more time at home, promoting job satisfaction and decreasing the amount of time they have to spend driving back and forth to work.
The report highlights some of the community benefits of telework…

• Nearly one-quarter of Minnesota teleworkers (23%) say they telework every day, rather than commute to and from work. On average, Minnesota teleworkers say they work from home 1.6 days per week (or 80 days per year).
• The average teleworker in Minnesota saves approximately 1,934 miles per year on their commute, the equivalent of a road trip from Minneapolis, MN to Los Angeles, CA.
• Each teleworker saves an average of $343.16 on car maintenance and prevents 1,411 pounds of CO2 emissions entering the atmosphere. Across the state, this equals nearly $196 million saved and 804 million fewer  pounds of CO2 emission.

It’s great to have the facts and figures behind telework but I wanted to couple it with some of the recent stories we’ve posted on the blog about the benefits of teleworking. One story we haven’t posted is the my own story. I’m in Ireland. I’ll be here for 6 weeks. I suspect that had I not mentioned it, few would know the difference. I’ve been doing this sort of travel for a number of years (5?) and at this point, I won’t even bother to tell half of my clients. I don’t move for work – but I can move because of my work. It gives my husband a chance to “live back home” for a while and my kids the chance to know the Irish side of their family. The only requirement? I must have broadband.
Then I think of Dick Sjoberg at the last Broadband Task Force talking about the need for skilled workers in Northern Minnesota. He mentioned that Impact 20/20 had been trying to persuade skilled employees to move to the area (which is beautiful) but found that the north woods is not for everyone. They realized that they don’t need the people necessarily, they just need the skills and often those skills can be shared online. They are now looking into options that would encourage local employers to look into telework for staff based in other locations, such as the Twin Cities.
The flip side of that coin is Fergus Falls. They  are striving to make telework part of their tapestry by encouraging local businesses to hire teleworkers, to encourage local workers to build telework-friendly skills but also by promoting themselves as a mecca for telework options. Fergus Falls has created a local telework center, they have been deploying broadband infrastructure in the area and they have actively advertised their area in and out of the state. They have found at least one company to move to the area because of the telework options and have seen much more interest in the area because of the focus.
Telework could be a way for a rural community to attract the Brain Gain demographic that is looking to move from metro to rural areas – but generally does not move for a job. They move for quality of life – but consider the possible attraction if you as a community could offer good schools, safe streets, beautiful natural surroundings and access to good jobs. It seems like a reputation worth pursuing both at the community and state level.

Behind the "brain gain:" Ups and downs of going rural

Posted at 11:43 AM on May 16, 2012 by Jennifer Vogel (0 Comments)
Filed under: Broadband, Community Development, Economic Development, Rural

"Growing up in the Twin Cities, I never thought I'd be standing under a tree someday, plucking chickens," said Karen Tolkkinen, who moved to Clitherall, in west central Minnesota, in 2010. "Oh, gosh, I felt sorry for them, especially the last one who kept calling and calling to the other chickens that were already butchered."

Raising poultry is just one of the adjustments Tolkkinen made after moving to her husband's family farm. She eats venison now and plans to generate income by selling produce at a nearby farmer's market. "I didn't realize it would be so hard to make money in rural Minnesota," she wrote in response to a query from MPR's Public Insight Network (PIN).

She is one of the people who represent what University of Minnesota Extension sociologist Ben Winchester calls the "brain gain" in research being published today. For a collection of other MPR News Public Insight Network members' experiences, go here.

"When I visit the city, I see my old friends wearing the latest clothes and they have smart phones with 4G and they go on expensive trips. I didn't realize it at the time, but when I lived in the Twin Cities, I looked down a little at poor people. You know, 'Get a job.' Well, when you're 30 miles from the nearest employer, and gas prices are $3.60 a gallon, and the job only pays $10 an hour, you really have to weigh whether that job is worth it."

And yet, she loves the "peace and beauty" of her new home. "Our farm sounds like a bird sanctuary in the spring. You can walk down the gravel roads for miles without seeing a car. In the winter, the snow stays white. During the summer, the fields shimmer with thick crops of hay or oats or wheat. And at night, the stars are brilliant."

Tolkkinen's experience is similar to that of many people who move from the city to the country. They love the beauty and peace and security. But they tend to have a hard time finding decent paying jobs and don't like to drive the long distances to work, school and shopping.

Winchester posits that while young people continue to leave rural areas for the cities, there is an ongoing countertrend of people in their 30s and 40s moving back. He calls the phenomenon the "brain gain." We'll have more coverage of the report this afternoon, but here's a summary of what people told us.

There are myriad reasons behind these moves to rural Minnesota. People may want to be closer to family and friends. In some cases, they return to look after a sick parent or relative. That's what inspired Jannet Walsh to quit a public relations job in Ocala, Florida and move to tiny Murdock, Minnesota. She made a video for us about the experience, which you can view here.

Sometimes people move to raise families, in the hopes of providing their kids an upbringing similar to their own, in a community where everybody knows everybody. Laura Knudsen moved to Alexandria eight years ago from Minneapolis. "My husband and I were ready to start a family. We had watched my niece and nephew grow up in a small town outstate. After a great deal of discussion we decided we wanted a similar experience for our children. There is a quality to life that is less revolved around material items in smaller areas. We felt that growing up in an area with a stronger sense of community was important when raising our kids."

The notion of freedom and natural pleasures was a big draw for Mike Bubany, a financial analyst who recently moved from Bloomington to Spring Valley, south of the Twin Cities, where he teleworks from his 21-acre property. He appreciates that nobody is looking over his shoulder, as he demonstrates in this video he made for us.

Sometimes, people move to rural areas dragging their feet, only to realize it was the best decision they ever made. "I was born and raised in Minneapolis and did not want to move to a small town," wrote June Kallestad, who moved to Cloquet in 1993. "I thought people would be small-minded...and there would be nothing to do. I found out that I LOVE the woods and outdoors. I didn't know that about myself. I have a lovely quality of life even though I don't make a lot of money. I have everything I need - including a horse! I also didn't know what a joy THAT would be!! I never even dreamed of owning a horse..."

BREAKING INTO THE CROWD

Interestingly, Winchester has found that people who move or return to rural areas tend to have higher incomes and be more civically engaged than longtime locals. That's definitely true of Ann Thompson, who returned to her hometown of Milan, in western Minnesota, seven years ago after living overseas for 18 years. "When I left, I didn't necessarily think I would come back," she said. "I just thought I wanted to see the world."

She moved back to spend time with her aging parents. "I didn't want to live with the regrets of not doing that," Thompson said. Also, "I wanted to start a business. I thought it would be easy to do here." She opened a gift and art shopcalled Billy Maple Tree's in a building that's been in her family for generations. She volunteers much of her time and teaches English as a second language to the town's growing Micronesian population. "Our lives are frantically busy, but that is our choice," she said.

"In a city it's easy to meld in with everyone and go with the flow. In a small town, your community is what you make it. I'm quite happy to get involved and make things happen. I've been energized by my return."

Michael Dagen, an audio engineer who moved to Hewitt in central Minnesota with his wife after living in Fargo, Duluth and St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, kept to himself at first because he "didn't want to freak people out." But, he said, "It didn't take long to realize we needed to get involved." Now, they've used a grant to repair the local historical museum, are starting a lending library and have launched a music and barter festival that's in its third year.

"There is quite a creative community we're tapping into," Dagen said. "We feel right at home. We feel connected, which is a powerful feeling I've never had before. I imagine it's similar to the first settlers to the area that came because there was opportunity. Land was reasonable. Everybody depended on each other. Nobody had any money, so they would trade their services and goods."

But breaking into a small town's social scene isn't always easy. "It's hard to get to know people," said Amy Hoglin, who moved from a Twin Cities suburb to rural Lake Wilson in 1998. "People are all in their established groups and are not accustomed to welcoming newcomers."

"Meeting people when I first moved here was very difficult," Erica Ellis agreed. She moved to Bemidji from Delaware by way of Missouri 14 years ago. "A lot of people have lived here their whole lives and have established friendships, so breaking in to that was difficult....It is still difficult for me to meet people, because a lot of the social activity around Bemidji is church-centered and I am an atheist. There aren't any groups here for atheists, humanists, etc, so it is hard to find like-minded people. It is also a fairly conservative community and I am a liberal."

Being single doesn't help matters, wrote Cynthia French, who moved to Little Falls from Minneapolis 16 months ago. "People are nice, and it has been easier to make friends than I was told it would be... That said, most of my friendships are with people who have families. I have not found a supportive community for single people and I have to really work to make connections to creative people in my age group (which usually means driving 30 miles to arts events outside of my town)."

IT'S A LONG WAY FROM HERE TO THERE

Cheap housing draws a lot of people to rural Minnesota, judging by Winchester's research and responses to our PIN query. Hoglin wrote that her husband "was missing rural life and wanted to be able to hunt and fish more often. I was definitely not missing rural life, but eventually warmed to the idea of moving back when I realized we could afford to buy an acreage, while we couldn't afford to buy anything in the Twin Cities area."

"There are no decent restaurants," wrote Daniel Triestman, who moved to Eveleth 10 years ago from Philadelphia. "There is no diversity, be it ethnic or intellectual. On the plus-side, my wife and I were able to buy our home for under $12,000. Our family of five lives comfortably for under $30,000 a year."

While housing may be inexpensive, newcomers sometimes find that other aspects of rural living are more costly. "We have to drive to get everywhere or anywhere," wrote Tracie Yule, who moved from Chaska to Belle Plaine a decade ago. "It's expensive. Plus, it takes a long time to get anywhere and it's almost a day trip if we want to go shopping. Also, my husband and I have to commute to work because there aren't a lot of employment opportunities in our area or ones that pay well."

Knudsen, from Alexandria, wrote, "I also didn't expect the cost of living to be so out of balance with the wages in the area. Most of our expenses are the same or higher than living in the Twin Cities yet wages are lower."

French says the rural cost of living is helping push her to move back to the Twin Cities. "The decision is partially social and partially financial," she said. "I cannot sustain myself financially."

The answer for some is to adjust their standards of living and do more for themselves. "Friends from the metro tell me they would love to live in the country, but the jobs don't pay enough," said David Barrett, who moved from Kimball seven years ago to the country near Murdock. "My response is always that you don't need to make as much when your cost of living is less and you become somewhat self-reliant. Our taxes are less, we can't order food and the nearest big box is 35 minutes away. We are also able to cut our costs of living by providing our own heat, much of our own food and not having shopping as a hobby/habit. Living in the country is a luxury within itself."

WORKING AMONG THE TREES

With broadband Internet becoming more common in rural Minnesota, some people telework from home while drawing a paycheck from companies in the Twin Cities or other urban areas. But without an arrangement like that, the job landscape can be bleak.

Wrote Tolkkinen, "A lot of people in the country end up patching together several part-time jobs, so they work without any benefits, which is what I did for several years. After seven years in rural Minnesota, my savings are nearly depleted. I did start my own business four years ago, but finances and access to good health insurance continue to be a struggle. You have to look for different opportunities. You have to ask yourself, what do I have? What can I offer?"

Dave Konshok moved back to his home town of Park Rapids from Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, six years ago after decades in the military. He calls Park Rapids, "a great community in which to raise the family, surrounded by a fabulous natural environment... But I also knew to expect limited economic opportunity: Upon graduating from high school here many years ago, my friends and I dubbed it a 'BYOJ' area - 'Bring Your Own Job'"

"Without a doubt, the biggest challenge of living in rural areas or small towns is economic: making enough money to survive and thrive," he wrote. "It's very unlikely a high-paying job will even exist, let alone be handed to you. You have to dial down your financial expectations, while at the same time be ready to do whatever it takes to survive financially."

Whether someone thrives in rural Minnesota seems to come down to priorities, what's most important in a person's life. Where some see social and economic restrictions, others see new opportunities to connect with people.

"My community is nothing like I expected and everything that I had hoped," wrote Adrienne Sweeney, who moved to Lanesboro in 2002 from the Twin Cities and was raised in Philadelphia. "Growing up in a huge city like Philadelphia, I had no idea what to expect from a small (REALLY small) town. What I have found is that it is one of the most artistically creative places I have ever been... To be able to create a piece of theatre and then have an in-depth discussion about the work with the teller at your bank or your server at the diner the next day is a remarkable experience and makes your work feel so much more real and immediate."

"To be able to participate in a molten iron pour or attend a barn dance or string quartet performance with your neighbors is so inspiring," Sweeney wrote. "I have been more artistically energized here in this town of 750 than any of the 'big cities' I have lived in."

Broadband, Telework and the Renaissance of American Life

http://www.broadbandforamerica.com/blog/broadband-telework-and-renaissance-american-life

Posted February 21st, 2012 by Michael Haaren -RatRaceRebellion.com

Imagine living in a pedestrian community where you could work from home or walk to an eWork center. The center could have daycare, a cafe, shops, and a gym. You could eat locally-grown food (think light carbon footprint and actual nutrition), patronize local businesses, and read to your daughter's second-grade class. Your employer could be down the block, across the nation, or over the sea.
No more ghost towns. No more road rage. No more missed soccer games, bedtime stories, or school plays. Suddenly, the rat is no longer quite so involved in the race. As commuting and driving generally are minimized and our bonds to place and people restored, we become "emotionally available" once again to partners, children, friends and community.
The reigning triumvirate of the car, the truck, the highway has been properly demoted, replaced by a higher and healthier authority -- the heart, the senses, the whole.
For this dream to come true, one important element needs to be in place – access to broadband. Broadband allows for individuals to connect across the globe. Being anchored to a desk to achieve efficiency in the workplace could be a necessity of the past as individuals could just as easily connect from anywhere else in the world.
Expanding broadband access to all corners of the nation is crucial for telework. Availability of broadband would help to not only avoid the rat race but would also build on an economy in need of repair. Internet access can pave the way towards job expansion
as well as a more fruitful and efficient workforce.
This is the great promise of broadband and telework. And it's high time it were kept.

Michael Haaren is CEO of Staffcentrix, LLC, which provides virtual-careers training programs to the US State Department, Air Force and other clients. He appears often in the media as a telework advocate, including CNN, the Wall Street Journal, Businessweek and many more. He is the co-author of two guides to home-based work, The 2-Second Commute and Work at Home Now, and Co-Director of the telework jobs website, RatRaceRebellion.com.