Becoming a remote employee...relationships?

I am not a remote worker but I do work in an environment where I am working with others remotely on a regular basis.
Keeping in contact with those you know now and increasing the breadth of your contacts is very easy to do in this situation.

I have developed a reputation across several internal organizations as a SME on several different topics. I have people, whom I have never heard of before, reaching out to me from our CSO, Engineering staff, and even other facilities to find out how to do something or to get an update on customer units for my site and several others.

All this I have done by being available when needed and patient when addressing their concerns and issues. This has allowed me to build my network even further by having contacts in each of these groups and at different sites who can help me with information (and some who actively try to recruit me) when I need it.

Don't be discouraged by working remote, take it as a challenge to improve your communication skills and as an opportunity to budget your time so that you can provide a better understanding to those who rely on you for information.

Mac
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I am a remote worker. One must intentionally reach out via email, phone, and video conference (even for a high 'C' like me.)  Set aside a regular block of time for communications and make it a task on your "To Do" list to stay organized.  As a high I you ought to be great at collecting names and phone numbers...often, it pays to call and provide information even when you do not have to. Add value by sharing information. You are a trainer after all.

Great advice above. Let me see if I can add some value to the dialogue.

1. How do you cultivate relationships with others outside your currrent office who live elsewhere? You should be able to apply the same techniques to all when remotely working.
2. In conference calls, don't hesitate to contribute when you have relevant content. Definitely don't monopolize the call, but do your best to add value. Also, when you hear an especially cogent comment or idea from someone, take time immediately after the call to send that person an email complimenting him or her. Do the same if you receive an email from someone. Remember that most people don't receive the recognition they're due. You will stand out if you consistently do this.
3. Identify those people most important to your network. Contact them and ask for a 30-minute phone call to get their opinion on _______. This must be something that helps you progress towards your organization's business goals. It cannot be made up. Go into full-blown listening mode and do not argue even when they disagree or suggest something unattainable.
    

The biggest difference I have found in building relationships or managing from remote locations is the need to be proactive. Your direct or your co-worker is not going to walk past your door or run into you in the rest room when you're a remote worker. So, as TL advises above, plan networking activities as you would anything else.

Good luck!

Glenn

Hi JohnHealey,

It's February and I hope you're doing fine with working remotely.

It seems that your concerns were already answered and I would like to add the importance of building trust in a remote office setting.

I recently published an article about managing remote workers and building trust that might be of help to you: http://blog.remotestaff.com.au/manage-remote-workers-and-build-trust-in-...