Hopeful Trend for NuNomad Wannabes

Virginia's governor, Timothy Kaine announced earlier this year that he wants to see 20% of Virginia's state work force telecommuting by the year 2010. Currently, only 3% of their workforce telecommutes.

Maybe people are finally figuring out that forcing employees to work on site is pretty stupid for a large percentage of the working population. There is a growing number of workers who could easily do their jobs via the computer or telephone and really have very little reason to force their human bodies across cities twice a day in order to accomplish their tasks. I don't know about the rest of you, but there is no way I'm spending a percentage of my life stuck in my car on some highway. And I won't even go into the environmental impact of all those horrible traffic jams.

Still, this is a hard sell to many traditional managers. I'm always intrigued by reactions when I bring up this subject. So many people become very uncomfortable and say something like, "I just really need to have my employees in the office. We need to see each other face to face". When I ask why they need to see each other face to face the answer is never very satisfying. It usually goes something like, "Well, that's how we have our relationship and that's how I know what's going on".

As a person who has worked 90% virtually for almost a decade now, I can tell you this is old fashioned thinking. I have had deep and meaningful relationships by telephone and email with co-workers who I've never met. I have had deep and meaningful relationships with clients who I've never met. Many of my clients have stayed with me over the course of several years. Some are going on 8 years with me now. I know intimate facts about their lives and their families. We exchange holiday gifts. All the things you might do face to face. We even drink coffee together by phone!

You may be intrigued to know that Ricardo and I (my co-founder here at NuNomad) have never met face to face although we are business partners. How do I know what he's doing? We communicate daily by email. Sometimes we Skype. We've still not even had a telephone conversation. Do I feel like I know him? You bet! I consider him a friend as well as business partner.

And to those managers who will counter with, "well, I just know that some people won't work if I'm not standing over them", I have one word - PRODUCT. If you measure your employee by what they produce - not by how much time their butt is in their desk chair - you're going to have more productivity and a happier workforce. What if they don't produce? Let them go! It should be the same story even if they're smiling at you from their cubicle 10 hours per day.

Anyway, enough digression. The news in Virginia is good for anyone who is hoping to achieve a NuNomadic lifestyle someday. No offense to state workers (my husband is one) but state governments aren't usually known for being on the cutting edge of things. If this government body has the balls to make a stand for telecommuting, maybe more will follow. And as you know, once you're working from home - it's only one more step to working remotely!

P.S. I'll let you in on a secret. I have a dream that someday our community here at NuNomad will be large enough and strong enough that we can start doing some lobbying for more remote working. If there is anyone out there who'd like to help me make this come true - let me know.

Comments

[Elizabeth]

Have been meaning to congratulate you on your site. It's incredibly informative and well-written. I'm amazed at your output, in terms of the blog and everything else.

Though I'm not a nunomad, I'm more of a traditional one, some of my work is done remotely....mostly writing. That's completely product-based, and can be done anywhere in Hong Kong. There are the occasional meetings, say for handing over a CD of photos.

Looking forward to reading more!

[Freedom Seeker]

Hi - congratulations on this site. I've recently entered the blogosphere and aside from blogging have many ideas around working remotely. I definately believe that it will become a growing trend, and would love to join you in your work.

At the moment - I have a business in the UK which requires my physical presence, but I am working on freeing myself in order to fully embrace a nomadic lifestyle.

In terms of the environmental impact of flying and car transportation - the nomadic lifestyle in many ways offers a solution. Its really exciting.. and i can't wait to see how society evolves over the next decade.. throughout which time, I'm sure the nomad community will grow and grow and grow...

www.escapengland.blogspot.com

[Carmen]

Elizabeth,

Thanks for your positive feedback. I've been out to your site and really like your work. How about being interviewed sometime?

Carmen

[Carmen]

Hi Freedom Seeker,

Thanks for the comment. I went out to your blog and we're definitely on the same wavelength. I see you're reading workingnomad's book on how to make money via the internet. I'd also encourage you to check out our book, "Quit Dreaming and Go!" that is a pretty comprehensive guide to breaking out of the cage.

It's very cool you're attempting to become nomadic. Let's think about how we might help each other.

Carmen