NATE - The Nate Berkus Show

Hi there. Welcome. Smiley emoticons to all.

My name is Katie Linendoll, and I’m an Emmy-nominated TV host and tech expert and a proud contributor to The Nate Berkus show. There’s nothing I enjoy more than sharing my passion for things with wires and switches and glowing LED buttons with the world, and that’s exactly what I’ll be doing here in blog form. So let’s get to it.

Today, I’d like to talk about working from home. Employers are becoming more and more lenient on this, and most of us probably know someone who works remotely at least a day or two out of the week. You may have negotiated a day or two yourself. While the increased freedom has its obvious appeal, it’s important to remember that the more time you spend out of the office, the more important it becomes to stay productive, connected and on top of daily business. Here are a few tips.

Use File Sharing Services to Send Large Files

Sometimes, people who work from home don’t have remote access to their work email server and opt to use a personal account. But most providers (Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) have file size limits on outgoing emails, which can make it tough to attach those larger PDFs or Power Point presentations. For a simple solution, use file sharing services like sendspace.com or drop.io. They’re free and allow you to share up to 100MB and 300MB of data.

Upgrade from a Flash Drive to an External Hard Drive

Flash drives are notoriously unstable, and you don’t want to risk the loss of important documents when you’re transferring files between your home and work computers. Add to that the many cost-effective back-up and storage solutions currently on the market, and it just makes sense to go with an external drive. My feeling? Go big or go home. You can get a 2 terrabyte external drive (i.e., More Space Than You’ll Ever Need) from Western Digital for just $119.99 on Amazon.

Access Your Files From Anywhere with a Cloud Server

Wrapping up our triumvirate (there’s a triple word score) of file management solutions: cloud computing. I recommend this especially for those harried workers who are constantly on-the-go, cramming in that extra 20 minutes of frantic emailing and calling and documenting from airport waiting rooms and taxi cabs and doomed first dates (never!). Basically, a cloud is a virtual server that you can log into from anywhere, allowing you to send, share and access loads of files immediately. Check out pogoplug.com for a good example of how to create your own personal cloud!

Understand the Importance of Social Networking

Facebook and Twitter have become as ubiquitous as the weather, and they’re not just for tweens with way too much time on their hands. They have business-related applications too. For example, I recently had some trouble tracking down a contact for a tech robot segment I was developing. Went through the usual channels for two days and couldn’t find the guy anywhere! Then I checked LinkedIn. Less than a week later, we had a face-to-face set up (with the robot). Social networking isn’t going anywhere, and it can be important (for your career) to familiarize yourself. At the least set up a test account on these three.

Upgrade to a Smartphone

It’s a no-brainer. Employers and clients expect answers immediately. Even when you’re in the grocery line, on the treadmill or walking your dog – it’s assumed you’ll answer. Enter smartphones. As a bonus, smartphones also give you access to thousands of cool apps and features that can help you with everything from finding a parking spot to locating the nearest ATM. Deterred by the higher monthly payments for a Blackberry or iPhone? Negotiate with your employer for an upgrade: usually, the promise of greater productivity and access will make them more than willing to comply.

Build a Better Budget

It’s always important to manage our finances, but it’s especially vital for the self-employed variety of the work-from-home warrior. One highly-praised piece of helpful software is Mint.com. It organizes costs with graphs and helps you see exactly where you’re spending all your money. Sadly, I discovered I spent an unfortunate $60 more per month than the average American on coffee. Probably should have seen that coming when Starbucks made me a Gold Member.

Propose Virtual Meetings

A futuristic concept made simple. Since almost every computer has a built-in webcam these days, Skype has become a time-effective way to have a productive face-to-face. The calls are free, and I’ve used it for countless business meetings (and even some auditions). Quick tip: shoot yourself from the waist up; your associate doesn’t need to know that that chic blazer is paired with sky-blue cow-themed pajama bottoms.

For presentations with multiple individuals try Gotomeeting.com.  It creates a virtual boardroom and allows you to share your desktop and chat with each other.

The bottom line? It’s important to stay current. Look around. How are your co-workers communicating? Who seems to be targeted for promotions, and why? Often, it’s those who manage to stay ahead of the curve. And just as importantly, it’s those who project the image of being ahead of the curve. One way to do this is to utilize the latest technology.

Separate studies have shown that women are less likely to be promoted, and men are more likely to be perceived as tech savvy. Are the two related? Think about it.