making remote workers feel like they’re in the same room

10 Tips to help remote workers succeed inside the

office

Paul HepworthVP Engineering

A little aboutUserTesting

14 of our 87 employees are

located across 12 cities in North

America

Lets begin with the right technology

Tip 1: Use dedicated computers that allow

proactive chat

Use dedicated computers that allow proactive

chat…• Remotes can “see” in the office when they want

• Allows for the proverbial “tap on the shoulder”

• Here is what is looks like at UserTesting…

Tip 2: Use wide-angle webcams

Use wide-angle webcams…

• Remotes can see the “big picture”

• Non-verbal communication

• I would recommend….

Genius 120-degree Ultra Wide Angle Full HD Conference Webcam — $42 on

Amazonhttp://bit.ly/best-webcam-ever

Genius 120-degree Ultra Wide Angle Full HD Conference Webcam — $42 on

Amazonhttp://bit.ly/best-webcam-ever

Tip 3: Microphones are important

Microphones are important…

• Hearing is crucial to good communication

• Your internal microphone is BAD!

• I would recommend…..

MXL AC404 USB Conference Microphone

— $67 on Amazonhttp://bit.ly/best-mic-ever

Tip 4: Invest in good speakers

Invest in good speakers…

• Good sound gives equal footing in a conversation

• Poor sound reflects poorly on the person speaking

• I would recommend….

JBL Duet III Premium High Performance Speaker System — $149

on Amazonhttp://bit.ly/best-speakers-ever

Tip 5: Use permalinks for “virtual conference

rooms”

Use permalinks for “virtual conference

rooms”…• Meetings should never end

• Use bit.ly to shorten long URLs

• Give distinct names that are easy to reference in chat, email, or in person

• Mobile device friendly

Howtos for creating permalinks for “virtual conference rooms”…

• Google Hangout:http://bit.ly/never-ending-hangout

• GoToMeeting:http://bit.ly/never-ending-gotomeeting

Now, lets build the right culture on top of

the technology

Tip 6: Balance teams with co-located and remote members

If possible balance teams with co-located and remote

members…• Locals are less likely to forget remotes

• Less tempted to hold a meeting without the remotes

• Remote can compare notes & influence change

Tip 7: Invite remotes to office parties and

spontaneous discussions

Invite remotes to office parties and spontaneous

discussions…• Knowing you are always invited goes a long way

• Send remotes a pizza

• Record and share “offline” conversations

• Leverage mobile devices and bring them along

Tip 8: Provide office context to remote

workers

Provide office context to remote workers…

• Remotes should know about office layout, coffee, snacks

• Leverage your most chatty team members

• Knowing about “small things” builds confidence

Tip 9: Proactively invite remote workers

to visit the office

Proactively invite remote workers to visit the

office…• Inviting ensures that they feel support

• Let them book their own travel

• Webcam’s can’t replace in person relationship building

Tip 10: Everyone should work from home sometimes

Everyone should work from home sometimes…

• Locals build empathy

• People appreciate advantages of remote work

• Unfriendly processes and tools are found and fixed

Good luck!

Thank you.

Paul HepworthVP Engineeringpaul@usertesting.com@peppyheppy