Transforming the Remote Work Experience

Introduction

Years ago, mobile telephones were the size of a brick and only made phone calls. Today, the mobile phone fits in the palm of your hand can replace your laptop. These advanced capabilities show us that technology changes rapidly, but it’s our shift as a culture to meet it that means the most.

At one time, we commuted to an office. We worked side by side, saw one another every day and discussed television episodes around the proverbial water cooler. Over time, our culture shifted with technology adoption and today it’s evolved to a new normal of blended work and friendship lines with co-workers from around the world staying connected through video and social media.

This guide is designed for those who are looking to mirror the comforts of the connected life you are used to in person through a remote working environment. I wrote this book based on my own experiences as an employee and business owner throughout my career to create a relatable experience you may be familiar with. This book translates the in-person experience to a guided approach leveraging Microsoft Teams for the remote working platform. While I’ve used many remote technologies and trained others on them over the years, I chose Microsoft Teams due to the robust platform of options to make your day more productive in addition to feeling connected to others. For the intentions of this guide though, we’ll focus on creating a new comfort using this digital space.

As you venture into this uncharted territory, my hope is that you find comfort working in a remote environment to stay connected and shift your life in a positive way.

Chapter 1: The Remote Box

I first launched Microsoft Teams while sitting in an open working space at a desk. As Microsoft Teams opened, I watched a large purple box fill the screen with my typical wide-eyed curious stare. This looks like a box I said to