We work in an ever-changing business world that includes the introduction of new technologies and new techniques on a daily basis. Getting Things Done is not only a methodology, but a mindset. Contrary to common beliefs, this concept does not differ in remote work space than it does in the traditional office space. So while the corporate world adjusts to the new reality of remote working, there are things you can (and should) do to create a level of comfort with those stuck in a cube. Just try not to rub it in.

1. Remote Control:
Your Guide to
Successful Collaboration
#remoteGTD
jason@eightshapes.com
@periodicdesign

2. A few questions
2

3. A few questions
Who works in a traditional office environment?
2

4. A few questions
Who works in a traditional office environment?
Of those folks, how many of you want to work
remotely?
2

5. A few questions
Who works in a traditional office environment?
Of those folks, how many of you want to work
remotely?
Of those that do work remotely, how many get
questions that judge their work style?
2

6. Questions & Responses
3

7. Questions & Responses
"I need you here, as part of the team."
3

8. Questions & Responses
"I need you here, as part of the team."
"We don't have the technology in place to
allow for rapid communication."
3

9. Questions & Responses
"I need you here, as part of the team."
"We don't have the technology in place to
allow for rapid communication."
"It's nearly impossible for you to effectively
"screen share" your work with me."
3

10. Questions & Responses
"I need you here, as part of the team."
"We don't have the technology in place to
allow for rapid communication."
"It's nearly impossible for you to effectively
"screen share" your work with me."
"How do you get work done? I'd play video
games all day."
3

11. Questions & Responses
"I need you here, as part of the team."
"We don't have the technology in place to
allow for rapid communication."
"It's nearly impossible for you to effectively
"screen share" your work with me."
"How do you get work done? I'd play video
games all day."
"Do you shower?"
3

12. SURPRISE!
Image Source: Amy Houser

13. We’re happier

14. Who am I?

15. Who am I?
Jason Wishard

16. Who am I?
Jason Wishard
Interaction Designer

17. Who am I?
Jason Wishard
Interaction Designer
EightShapes

18. Who am I?
Jason Wishard
Interaction Designer
EightShapes
I work remotely...

19. Own it!

20. What does research say?

21. UIE Research
!!!
!!!
???

22. Who is on the UX Team?

23. The findings
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24. The findings
"It's easy to put post-its on a wall, share
sketches, and critique ideas when you're just
a few feet apart. Doing all that through time-
shift electronic channels is difficult, if not
near impossible."
11

25. The findings
"It's easy to put post-its on a wall, share
sketches, and critique ideas when you're just
a few feet apart. Doing all that through time-
shift electronic channels is difficult, if not
near impossible."
"Mentoring, cross-discipline training, and the
other facets that seem to contribute to the
growth of the successful teams are much
harder with remote teams."
11

26. A couple of truths
12

27. A couple of truths
"The few successful remote teams we saw
were remote from day one and everyone
was spread apart."
12

28. A couple of truths
"The few successful remote teams we saw
were remote from day one and everyone
was spread apart."
"While it's possible to make a remote team
succeed, it seems to us that it won't happen
by itself. Special care of the team dynamics
is critical. "
12

29. How can I successfully
collaborate?

30. Three Pillars

31. What are they?
15

32. What are they?
A great team
15

33. What are they?
A great team
An effective workspace
15

34. What are they?
A great team
An effective workspace
A solid desktop environment
15

35. Team
Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pjoscelot/5916867724/

36. Learn your tool belt

37. No shortage of options

38. Find your bundle

39. Keep it social

40. People like people

41. Social networks are
the new water cooler

42. Get face time

43. Builds trust
Hi! Hi!

44. Don’t be camera shy

45. Keep an open door policy

46. Got 15 to Skype?

47. No more politics

48. Pyramids are political

49. Flat is better

50. Don’t be held hostage

51. Cinderella’s Carriage

52. Transparency is king

53. Over-communicate
Today
!!! !!!
Tomorrow
Next week
Need help!

54. Actionable Communication

55. Don’t assume
WTF?

56. Actionable emails

57. Workspace
CONFIDENTIAL and PROPRIETARY • Do Not Share Without Permission

58. Reflect the team
Video Source: Fast Company interview with Jason Fried and edited by Jason Wishard

59. Make it yours

60. Cubes are confining

61. Productive can be
comfortable

62. Collaborative space

63. We wear multiple hats
Project Plans Wireframes
Documentation Prototypes

64. Task out your space
Work Sketch
Read

65. Location, location

66. Give yourself focus
Door
Above
Garage

67. Have a commute

68. Avoid the gridlock...

69. ...and unwind
Cook
Take a walk Take a ride

70. Work, not a lifestyle

71. Wait, my work is home

72. Solid work/life balance

73. The mobile office

74. Productive mobility

75. Productive mobility

76. Productive mobility

77. Get the right hardware

78. Here’s your Dell!

79. Mobility or Storage?

80. Dress the part

81. Sharp dressed (wo)man

82. Sharp dressed (wo)man

83. Desktop

84. Reduce your chrome

85. Chrome serves a
purpose

86. Don’t let it get in the way

87. Close and hide apps

88. Don’t need it; close it

89. Turn off notifications

90. Gmail will be there

91. Set status expectations

92. What am I doing?

93. Stick to it!
Available Status
Reinforce
Silence

94. Clean up the clutter

95. Folders, files, oh my!

96. Wallpaper selection

97. Personal flavor

98. Optimize it!

99. Appropriate screen resolution

100. Think small
Better Screen Resolution

101. Reduce system load

102. If it syncs, shut it off

103. Secret Weapon

104. Collaboration Account

105. Real World Examples

106. Eric Wiley
User Experience Designer

107. Jason Robb
User Experience Designer

108. David
Panarelli
User Experience Designer

109. Prepare, prepare, prepare

110. Resources

111. WideTeams

112. @Telesaur

113. NoVaCoWork

114. Thanks!
jason@eightshapes.com
Find me @periodicdesign on:
Twitter | LinkedIn | Flickr | Facebook