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I live in Spain, so I have no choice but 100% telecommute - I'm just not
effective as a writer in Spanish. I agree that there is some loss of
value. You will be hard-pressed to be the product expert everybody
relies on for the tough questions. Even if you know more than everybody
else, your opportunities to contribute at that level are limited. It
just works out that the boundaries around what you do are more solid -
this can be good since you have fewer distractions, but it can be bad
since you don't spread out as much. I find that I have to charge less
than I would charge if I contracted on site, or at least on continent.
In fact, I have two rates - if you want me on site you pay extra.
That said, I can tell you that there's no problem finishing projects on
time. If you are a quick study, can think for yourself, and know how to
communicate, you should have no problem getting the information you
need. People get used to dealing with you remotely. I find engineers
like it - emails are less intrusive than a knock on the door.
But I really miss the jokes, irrelevant arguments, etc. It's fun
meeting new people at work. Darn it, now I have to do that in a broader
social context. And in Spanish, to boot.
I also agree with the probationary approach. Try it out for two days a
week. Set metrics. Work out the connectivity ahead of time. Provide
as much of your own equipment as possible. Get a fast connection.
Remember, in the beginning you are *adding* a burden, not removing it.
You should try to shoulder as much of that burden as you can. Identify
the burdens from your manager's POV, and propose ways *you* can assume
them. Just trying to do so will go a long way.
--
Chris Despopoulos, maker of CudSpan Freeware...
Plugins to Enhance FrameMaker & FrameMaker+SGML http://www.telecable.es/personales/cud/
cud -at- telecable -dot- es
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