Comments on: CIO Unplugged 5/26/10

By: Frank Fortner

Frank Fortner — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 01:49:02 +0000

Ed – Great article. It’s nice to see telework catching on. I’ve led a remote workforce (spread out across the U.S.) for the past 12 years and from my experience, the pros far outweigh the cons. No coincidence, employee satisfaction is also high here. I’m willing to bet studies would turn up a number of similarities. Ok, I’m ready to co-write a book whenever you are. Until then, keep the blogs coming!

By: PLake

PLake — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:45:30 +0000

Hey Ed,

How’s it going? I’m curious, are there any limits on how remote you allow your staff to become? Specifically, would you be okay with your leaders living in various places throughout the country (or world), provided the work was getting done?

By: MemoryLane

MemoryLane — Fri, 28 May 2010 16:33:43 +0000

As I recall, this is similar to what Robert Townsend did in the ’60s then wrote “Up the Organization”, et. al… still one of the best and most inspiring books on innovative and solidly successful business leadership – no matter what industry.

At that time, only he gave up the office (no email or computers then). When he became head of Avis car rental, he inherited one of those amazing offices, private elevator, limo for golf dates, company jet… and a company that was fighting for its life. He didn’t use the office or any of the rest of it, removed his tie and rolled up his sleeves to spend all his time in the trenches. He’d stop by his secretary’s desk now and then to check mail and write responses on the backs of letters. In that mode, he took Avis to the top levels.

By: Forward Thinking

Forward Thinking — Fri, 28 May 2010 15:40:34 +0000

Not sure what industry you are in Dr. Know, but out of necessity ours must be somewhat cautious since we are in a service industry that directly affects human lives. Maintaining the security of patient data is a major concern. I also differ with your assessment that teleworking isn’t an innovative concept:

“Based on the latest American Community Survey data, just over 2% of the U.S. employee workforce (2.8 million people, not including the self employed or unpaid volunteers) considers home their primary place of work.”

It’s true that there is broader acceptance of teleworking in some parts of the EU, but even there the average percentage of those with remote offices is around 13%.

Our offices are currently 50% virtual. If we were a country we would best even Finland which, I believe, currently has the highest percentage of teleworkers at 39%.

We’re getting there. The technology is available, the people are ready, and the savings are real… we just have to to a little gentile convincing.

By: Lacey Underall

Lacey Underall — Fri, 28 May 2010 14:15:42 +0000

Take down the invisible walls too. Our CIO allows people to speak with candor. He jokes around with us. I feel welcome to share my opinion even in large groups because he won’t come down on me or make me look stupid. In exchange for this comfortable atmosphere, I always report directly any activity that I think might put his face on the front page of the local paper. Politics? Forget it. He is more interested in open communication than by running all his comments through a political filter before opening his mouth. He can have his office and his walls. I have open access to him.