I have officially completed week one at Vox ISM, which also marks the first time I have worked for a virtual company!
My name is Ksenia Beljakova. Vox hired me in the capacity of a Project Manager. For the past 7 years, my career has consisted of the traditional “brick & mortar” office setting and working remotely can be a bit of an adjustment. The biggest difference for me is the lack of face time. In a traditional company, your first week consists of getting to know your co-workers (which often coincides with receiving tips & tricks), trying to learn your role within the team, and becoming accustomed to the corporate culture of that organization. Most often, these things would occur organically; someone stops you by the printer to welcome you and end up offering a tip. In a virtual work setting, you must be more proactive in your communication as you are not “bumping” into co-workers throughout your day.
This is where technology helps, as much as programs like Mikogo, Skype, and OneDrive have broken down traditional work boundaries-they also somewhat replicate the proceedings of a traditional office. Need to know if Bill is in? Check Skype, his status will show whether he is available or not. It is the equivalent of popping your head into someone’s office or cubicle. Does your team need to present something to your boss? No problem, move seamlessly between presenters via programs like Mikogo. Furthermore, Vox ISM is an organization that practices what it preaches. We not only offer the licensing, implementation and support for Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Dynamics NAV-we use it!
Have you ever wondered how a manager in a virtual company can track a remote employee’s productivity? The answer is in the technology.
Dynamics CRM allows for employees to easily plan and schedule service activities and for managers to monitor their completion. Moreover, completing tasks has never been faster, since Dynamics CRM is fully integrated with Microsoft Office programs like Outlook and Excel. This means, less time spent entering the same data into different systems in order to keep everyone updated. Employees are empowered by this technology and show higher productivity during their workday.
Conclusively, there is feeling of liberation when you are freed from the cubicle and my commute is about 20 seconds. In a busier, faster and ever-changing world, Millennials have demanded a new type of workplace-without the traditional restraints. As a Millennial I have to remind myself that I have long been accustomed to working without geographic parameters. I didn’t do my research in the library, rather online. And assignments were submitted through a portal and not in person. The new work force is already functioning virtually and with all the flexibility offered to a remote employee. Trends are showing more companies moving towards a virtual workplace and I am excited to already be a part of it!
Ksenia Beljakova
Project Manager at Vox ISM