5 principles to make WFH more effective and more productive

Work from home (WFH) is the new BUZZWORD around for during (and after) corona times. However, it is not just trying to do that.

Having done this consistently since 1998, I would suggest the following 5 principles to make WFH more effective and more productive.

1- Set up the "work environment" from your own home. It is not just taking your laptop to the kitchen or dining table and trying to do that from there. Ideally, you will need a "home office" where you have the needed privacy and work requirements in this office

2- Set up your committed work hours and daily work schedule as if you are still working in a formal office. It is a good idea to announce/publish these work days/hours to your colleagues and customers

3- Ensure "No Disruptions from family" during work sessions with your customers and colleagues. I am talking specially about spouse or kids popping up unexpectedly and disrupting the work sessions

4- Ensure you are "properly equipped" to so you work from home effectively depending on the nature of your work. Personally, I have Orange Fiber Internet service, mobile and land phone numbers, couple mobile phones, couple laptops and couple printers (laser black and color inkjet) and tablet PC. I also have my hard-copy library (books and publications) in the same room, a filing cabinet, couple office desks, and two white boards that I use to organize my work .. Have I missed anything ?

5- Use technology extensively to support your work activities, specially "communication and collaboration" software from companies like Google, Zoom, whatsapp, skype, IMO, Microsoft, .. etc. Along with effective use of social networks (facebook, twitter, Linkedin, ...) to connect and interact with your customers and colleagues worldwide.

As example, this is is a photo of my WFH office. Nothing fancy, but serves the purpose.