FrugalBrothers Software

You must have a broadband connection to make it work.

Step#1 Connect with your office

• OWA (Outlook Web Access) lets you read /respond to email without logging into network, manage calendar meetings and tasks. Can’t access personal outlook folders at work cant view saved files
• VPN Work like connected to company network, access file shares, manages things like passwords and security settings. Con- dial-up = bad performance. Must have business apps installed on your computer.
• Remote Desktop such as in vista business or ultimate, but may have to connect to the network such as VPN. Then there are services such as GoToMy PC or LogMeIN Free. Don’t try these with dial up.
• Windows Mobile or Smart Phones for reading and responding to email, tasks and calendar. Cons-> Reading or writing long emails, or making edits.

Step #2 Meetings with co-workers

• Email Pros. Exchange lots of information, written record, sending documents, sending information to lots of people. Cons-> Lack of timely response, not good for brainstorming, no voice communications
• IM Pros-> Real Time conversation, Send message fast, Windows Live Messenger works on Windows mobile phones. Cons-> not good for more than 1 to 1 meetings, no automatic written record, recording meetings a problem
• Products like GoToMeeting allow larger meetings, meetings with clients and coworkers, some provide voice conference room. (may require IT setup first) Con-> impromptu meetings
• Live Work Space, Google Docs, Zoho offers open sharing storage of documents like word, and excel, synch contact, task and event lists with outlook, and post project deadlines. Cons-> storage maybe an issue.
• Don’t forget phone conferences (hey you don’t have to type!) tough to collaborate on documents.

TIPS Make appointments for phone calls, Stay focused in phone conference (keep multi-tasking to minimum) Attend weekly staff meetings, stay online as much as possible (so they know your really working 40+ hours a week) Finally be assertive don’t wait for them to call you. Ask for information if you feel it hasn’t been received.

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