The Keys to Successful Remote Work: A #CMWorld Twitter Chat with Rachel Wendte

When you hear “work from home” what do you picture? If you’re someone that works in an office, the connotation might be someone that sits around in pajamas all day, doesn’t accomplish much and takes advantage of the right they’ve been given. But in reality, remote workers include leaders from companies, business owners, and more. In this week’s #CMWorld Twitter chat we dove deep into this topic and saw some common themes develop. We were lucky to have Rachel Wendte, a UX Design Tutor at CareerFoundry, join us as our special guest. She had some great answers, and to top them off, she was well-prepared with coordinating gifs for each of her tweets.

Present at the Twitter chat included many remote workers (the CMI team included), many that toggle between office time and remote time, and some that take advantage of coworking spaces. Regardless of where we all work, one thing was clear: There’s no slacking going on on the part of #CMWorld Twitter chat participants who work remotely.

So what does it take from a tech standpoint and an organizational standpoint, and what mindset does it require to successfully work virtually? Below is a recap of our discussion on the weekly #CMWorld chat. Look to our Twitter Moment for more tweets.

Let’s jump in: Remote work is on the rise. What are some benefits for professionals? For employers?

A1b: For employers, you’re looking at decreased overhead, diversified teams (in that you can assign projects to your most applicable employees regardless of geography), and a timeliness that is hard to replicate in a traditional office environment. #CMWorld pic.twitter.com/HfTIOvtcok

— Rachel Wendte (@rkwendte) November 19, 2019

A1) Remote work makes it possible for employees to source work from anywhere; for employees to keep or obtain work from anywhere. Both can realize cost savings for office overhead, commuting expenses and time! #cmworld

— Christin Kardos 🌟 #CMGR, backseat Harley rider🌟 (@ChristinKardos) November 19, 2019

Communication is crucial in any workplace, but it can be difficult when you’re on a remote team. How can you make connections with your coworkers? What can you do to ensure everyone stays in the loop?

A3: We (@CMIContent) work with Microsoft Teams as a communication hub for all member in addition to email/cell. We always have a constant line of communication open! #CMWorld

— Joseph Kalinowski (@jkkalinowski) November 19, 2019

A3a: Remote work = top communication. Your team is dependent on you to make things clear. For students, that means responses to queries or assignments within 9 hours. That’s self-imposed, but harder than working remotely is *learning* remotely. I want my ppl supported! #CMWorld pic.twitter.com/1Ds82kJPYC

— Rachel Wendte (@rkwendte) November 19, 2019

A4: One way to combat isolation is embracing a company’s outreach efforts. @CareerFoundry & my prev. employer, @GA_Chicago , have @Slack channels dedicated to OOO content. Each encourage employee chatter & input. A+ way to engage your workforce. Let them know you care. #CMWorld pic.twitter.com/addBYuTNNs

— Rachel Wendte (@rkwendte) November 19, 2019

How do you minimize distractions while working remotely? How can you make sure you’re staying on track?

A6. By creating a culture of a work environment no matter where that may be on a particular day. Planning out a schedule is crucial to staying on track & being productive when working remotely #CMWorld https://t.co/BPEmh1M846

— Eddie Garrison #StreamYard (@EddieGarrison) November 19, 2019

A6a: Timeblocking is the one way I avoid straying to other parts of my life. “This client gets the next hour of my time,” I say. It’s personal homework & an end time is what keeps me working. I block out work & non-work tasks the same to maintain consistency. #CMWorld pic.twitter.com/TIEN6HaU1x

— Rachel Wendte (@rkwendte) November 19, 2019

A6) There can be distractions but I honestly feel like there are more in an actual office. I only have a set amount of time to get work done (while the kids are at school) So I have to buckle down and focus #CMWorld

— Amanda Subler (@AmandaSubler) November 19, 2019

So there you have it! Stay organized, stay connected, stay happy and balanced! What tips do you have to be the best remote worker? What are your thoughts on the best remote management style? What would you add to this conversation? We’d love to know!

The best way to combat the remote work rut (even though we know you love it most days!) is to get out and connect with people in person, and we think the best way to do that is by checking out a CMI event! Next up for us is our ContentTECH Summit in San Diego in April. Registration is now open. Book your pass now for the best possible prices – enjoy up to $600 off onsite rates!