Important Part of the DC Telework Discussion: Real Telework Success Stories

August 27th, 2010

Do a Twitter search on the word “telework” and you’ll find all kinds of tweets, ranging from “Yay, no commute–I get to telework tomorrow” to “Managers aren’t buying into telework.” There are articles and blogs throughout the Internet discussing this topic of telework and how it will impact federal agencies and DC government contractors.

If you peel back the layers of misinformation about how employees can’t possibly have the technology necessary to do their jobs effectively or how managers can’t keep tabs on lazy employees, you’ll find the true stories of telework.

For example, Danette Campbell, Senior Adviser for Telework with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, was featured in a GovernmentExecutive.com article, sharing that the organization’s 13-year-old telework program now has more than 5,600 employees working successfully from home at least one day per week. She writes that PTO has created a workforce that can work seamlessly from remote locations with all business units now participating in the telework initiative.

Campbell suggests having the right tools and structure in place has enabled their telework program to be successful. She points to the following as essential pieces to the telework puzzle:

  • Appropriate eligibility criteria
  • Pilot programs
  • Collaboration tools
  • IT and non-IT training
  • Enterprise-wide policy and business unit guidelines
  • Clear performance measures, and labor-management partnerships

It’s these telework success stories that are beginning to emerge that will convince skeptical managers and agencies that telework can truly work as long as the right solutions are in place.

DC Telework Solutions are available to help agencies and DC government contractors make the transition to working remotely streamlined and successful, so that productivity can remain high and flexibility can increase.

To learn more about DC Telework, Executive Office Spaces, and other cost-effective business solutions visit Metro Offices online at www.metroffice.com.

This entry was posted on Friday, August 27th, 2010 at 8:00 pm and is filed under Blog, Government Contractor Solutions, Virtual Work. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

What’s next for DC Telework?

July 16th, 2010

The Telework Improvements Act passed late Wednesday in the House, and now many telework supporters as well as skeptics are left wondering, what’s next? There was much discussion on social media sites and in the media about the pros and cons of telework in the days and months prior to the bill passing, and now is the time when federal agencies and government contractors will put aside these discussions and move on to determine how to implement telework into their operations.

The bill, which passed 290 to 131, was designed to jumpstart the government’s telework program by expanding remote working options. The legislation requires agencies to appoint a telework managing officer to set up policy to encourage more employees to work from home or an approved center for telework like Metro Offices.

Federal agencies and government contractors will also receive more telework guidance through the bill, including policy for increased monitoring and guideline enforcement. For example, certain employees with a history of inappropriate Internet usage or excessive work absences will not be allowed to telework. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office will gather data to determine whether the telework programs are effective.

Agencies Will Succeed in Telework Efforts with the Right Support

As agencies and government contractors move forward to expand, or in many cases, establish telework programs, the right support and solutions will be essential to success. Having proven telework solutions in place will eliminate the trial and error typical of developing new programs.

Agencies utilizing Metro Offices’ telework solutions will begin Day One with all of the support and technology necessary to complete every work task remotely.  Even meetings and trainings can be handled with ease outside of the office, thanks to Metro’s fully-equipped DC meeting rooms.

With solutions including telephone answering services, professional administrative support, on-demand access to executive office space, and other virtual office services, agencies can gain a competitive advantage and be one-step ahead in adopting telework practices.

For more information on Blended Workforce Solutions, Telework, Executive Office Spaces, and other cost-effective business solutions visit Metro Offices online at www.metroffice.com.

This entry was posted on Friday, July 16th, 2010 at 8:23 pm and is filed under Blog, Government Contractor Solutions, Virtual Work. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Metro Offices Partners with DC Government Contractors, Agencies to Move Forward with Telework Initiatives

July 13th, 2010

A Federal Computer Week report recently revealed that government contractors and federal employees are not any happier with their agencies’ telework programs despite a push from the Obama administration to expand teleworking efforts.

Even with the numerous monetary and productivity benefits outlined for agencies, there is a resistance to changing the way business is conducted. With an understanding of the technology support and customized services available to DC Metro area government contractors and agencies, even skeptical agencies can partner with Metro to improve these statistics and get more employees on the track to telework success, fulfilling the call from the government.

In an area named as the “tech powerhouse” of the nation, the DC area offers great opportunity for government contractors to lead the way to increased telework efforts, providing an example for other businesses and industries across the country.

Metro Offices is a tech leader in its own industry, providing innovative telework solutions and on-demand executive office space, and can provide the support necessary for federal agencies to initiate or improve a telework program.

Metro Offices technology features include:

  • Managed, Secure IT infrastructure
  • High-speed bandwidth to suite any type of business
  • State of the art telephony
  • Customized phone answering and forwarding
  • Audio and Web conferencing programs
  • Full IT support packages for small business

With these services and more, federal agencies and government contractors can step out into the world of telework with confidence, knowing they have trained Metro Offices support staff to guide them through the process. The reality is that telework increases productivity and helps agencies to cut costs, so the primary barriers to success are skepticism and a resistance to change.

When more businesses are able to break through these barriers and access the telework solutions available to them, government contractors will work more efficiently no matter where their location, employee morale will increase and the DC Metro Area will become not only the tech powerhouse of the nation but also the telework leader.

For more information on Blended Workforce Solutions, Telework, Executive Office Spaces, and other cost-effective business solutions visit Metro Offices online at www.metroffice.com.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 13th, 2010 at 4:18 pm and is filed under Government Contractor Solutions. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

The Case for Telework: Results Matter, Location Does Not

June 22nd, 2010

Federal Computer Week recently published a fascinating article entitled “Telework: The Future is on Hold,” discussing how lack of current technology is hurting the federal government’s ability to increase flexibility and productivity and cut costs through telework.

OPM cut $200,000 a year from their budget when they were able to close their office and transition all employees to teleworking. It is only a matter of time until more government contractors and businesses of all kinds begin to realize the incredible cost-savings available through switching to telework.

With the right business solutions in place and access to Washington DC meeting rooms when necessary, all business tasks can be accomplished effectively outside of the office with no need for real estate costs, leasing fees nor the expense of office maintenance and administration.

Metro Offices provides practical solutions enabling businesses to fully-support a ten-person workforce for only $1,000 a month. DC Metro Area employees can work from anywhere they have Internet capability, accessing all essential information through use of a VoIP platform. Metro’s telework packages also include access to DC Metro area meeting rooms, Virtual Clubs, Lounges, FlexDesks and guest offices at any Metro Office location.

Rather than just depending on telework for bad weather or other times when it is difficult to get to the office, smart business owners are beginning to realize telework provides a consistent solution that can benefit employees, customers, and the business as a whole on a daily basis.

If the job can be done just as well or even better outside of the office, why take such a large chunk out of the bottom line for a permanent office space and the associated costs? Businesses and government contractors already utilizing telework are reporting more loyal workers and increased job performance.

Telework makes it easier and more affordable than ever to run a business in Washington DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland. For more information on Telework, Executive Office Spaces, FlexDesk and other cost-effective business solutions visit Metro Offices online at www.metroffice.com.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 at 8:40 pm and is filed under Blog, Government Contractor Solutions. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Government Contractors Benefit from Blended Workforce Solution

May 25th, 2010

Government contractors require location flexibility when it comes to keeping up with the pace of their ever-transitioning work environment. Major changes in structure recently have opened the door to more possibilities for working remotely, and telework and virtual office space have emerged as practical and affordable alternatives to traditional offices.

With Metro Offices’ Blended Workforce Model, government contractors have the professional, secure office environment they need for important meetings and projects. Locked offices, badge access to elevators and trained receptionists in every lobby come standard at each Metro Office location.

For times when they prefer to work outside of the office, government contractors can have every piece of information they need at their fingertips thanks to cutting-edge technology available through Metro Offices’ Telework Solutions—an integral part of the Blended Workforce Model.

Not only does the Blended Workforce help contractors to increase productivity and save time, but it also helps clients to meet tight budget constraints. Clients utilizing the Blended Workforce Model have reported a significant decrease in the costs of maintaining an office and administrative personal. Every task and meeting can be accomplished through Metro Offices—no need for a separate office purchase or rental.

Customized for Each Government Contract

Because each contract is unique, Metro Offices works with government contractors to create the best combination of solutions, cutting out unnecessary expenditures and incorporating the services necessary to increase scalability and productivity. From telework solutions and virtual office services to shared office space and business support services, Metro Offices can help government contractors to achieve an ideal work environment and streamline business tasks.

For more information on Blended Workforce Solutions, Telework, Executive Office Spaces, and other cost-effective business solutions visit Metro Offices online at www.metroffice.com.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 25th, 2010 at 3:37 pm and is filed under Blog, Government Contractor Solutions. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Government Contractors: Increase your Business Opportunities with Secure Virtual Office Space

January 26th, 2010

Here today, somewhere else tomorrow. One of the top needs of government contractors is location flexibility. Given to one proprietary task this year, and another the following, the only certainty is change. With the recent explosion of the ranks of government contractors, virtual office space has become an ideal alternative to traditional offices.
Working out of a virtual office space is the best way for government contractors to maintain the flexibility their job requires while also operating out of a professional work environment.

Metro Offices caters to the needs of government contractors – from the inside out. We understand the importance of having a secure environment.  That’s why locked offices, badge access to elevators, and trained receptionists in every lobby are all standard in our infrastructure.

Here are some of the reasons government contractors are seeking virtual office space more than ever:

  • Many government contractors need a business address that complies with government rules and regulations. It is far more reputable to be able to use the address of a large office building than a home address or P.O. Box.
  • Virtual office space provides government workers a “secure” and secretive place to work on confidential tasks and information.
  • Government contractors often seek virtual offices because of their flexibility. Whether you want to telecommute or work in the office, virtual office spaces gives you this option, without being disconnected from your clients and colleagues.
  • Using a remote office or shared office space can help them react to new business opportunities more quickly, which gives them an advantage over their competitors.
  • Virtual office services allow government contractors to work more efficiently and maintain a professional interaction with their client. They spend less time handling administrative tasks, and more time focused on the task at hand.
  • Complete flexibility, excellent support, advanced technology, and complete security. In today’s business world, virtual office services are the solution more government contractors rely on for a secure, optimal work environment.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 at 1:51 pm and is filed under Blog, Government Contractor Solutions. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.