No, Dorothy, you're not in Kansas anymore. The trend of telework is growing every day due to advances in technology, streamlined business processes and a "virtual view" taken by many corporations.
It is amazing to realize the vast talent that is available to the corporate world in the form of mothers who have decided to stay at home to raise a family. In just a three-block radius of my home I know of mothers with master's degrees, PHD's and bachelors degrees coupled with real-world work experience gained before they decided to stay at home. Even without the degrees, the amount of work experience of the mothers who are staying home to raise their kids in my neighborhood is astounding.
Whether working part time or full time these mothers, with their flexible schedules and fully wired home offices, are representing a powerful, educated, experienced workforce that is making a difference in the U.S. economy.
The "homeshoring" workforce are usually older, more experienced and better educated then their traditional brick and mortar counterparts. This leads to less turnover, more seasoned professionals and customer care that is second to none.
Of course, the benefits of less facility and equipment expenses can't be ignored.
I recently posted about a company that was hiring for concierge jobs.
The founder and CEO of VIPdesk, Mary A. Naylor a 20-year veteran of the concierge services industry, has this to say about the future of a home-based workforce:
"The truth is, major businesses stand to gain from utilizing home-based employees. In the next five years, there will be a dramatic shift due to this home-based workforce. I predict even more national, brand-conscious companies will take a step towards virtual servicing. As I see it, it's a winning scenario all around: for the individual employees who are able to maintain a better work-life balance, for the companies that leverage the benefits of a virtual workforce, and finally for the U.S. economy as a whole, because it allows more jobs to remain here in the U.S."
Read her full BusinessWeek Online article here.
It's really difficult and a tough job getting along with professional and domestic life equally for women. Having said that, I personally think women are the best managers of time and resources. Raising a family can be a major domestic obligation for many women that keeps them from jumping into corporate world where they have tremendous opportunties to excel. My salute goes to women are simultenously professionals and house-wives. Seriously, it needs committment, patience and sacrifice on both fortns.
Posted by: Mcgill | June 29, 2007 3:47 AM | Permalink to Comment