Cora Rodenbusch

Digital Nomad Tip #35: Four Easy Ways to Join a Mobile Meeting

May 14th, 2012 by Cora Rodenbusch Posted in Audio Best Practices, Collaboration, Conferencing, Cora the Digital Nomad, GlobalMeet, iMeet, PGi, Telecommuting, Video Conferencing, Virtual Meetings
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Thanks to recent technology advancements and thoughtful software engineers, you don’t have to decline your next audio or web (even video) conference because you’re on the go.  Whether you’re stepping outside the office for lunch, on a business trip or traversing the world with your spouse, you’ll appreciate the office-free options now available to mobile workers.

Here’s is a list of a few of the options currently on the market. If you’re currently looking for a new audio, web or video conference solution look for one that offers all four. Although you might spend the majority of your time at your desk, the moment you step out of the office, you’ll see the value each one brings.

Dial-in: Also known as the “old school” option, dial-in gives your meeting participants a phone number and password to join the conference.  Most platforms give you the option to provide local numbers for those joining internationally. When scheduling a call, consider adding the phone number and password in the “location” field of your meeting request so those joining via smartphone, can simply click the number/password combination to immediately connect.

Road Warrior Tip: Look for meeting solutions that provide hosts with a consistent phone number so you can save your number as a contact in your phone. Likewise, look for a provider whose passwords are 10 digits or less. It may seem like a small difference today but when you’re on the road each digit counts!

Example: iMeet® Offers Four Ways to Join a Meeting - Dial-in, Dial-out, VoIP and App

 

Dial-Out (aka Connect Me or “Call my phone”): The Connect Me option asks for your phone number so the meeting can dial out to you directly. Once you pick up the phone, you’ll be asked to confirm the call by pressing “1” to join the conference. Dial-out is a time saver for those looking to avoid long phone numbers and passwords. This option works best if you have a mobile app to place the call for you. If not, ask the host to call you from the meeting via the “invite guest” feature.

Road Warrior Tip: Some meeting solutions will save your most recent numbers or allow you to save a “favorite” so that next time you ask it to dial you directly you won’t have to enter the number.

Example: GlobalMeet® Saves Your Recent and Favorite Meetings

 

VoIP: Voice over Internet Protocol or “call over the internet”/”call my computer” is a great option when you’re internet connection is strong and your cell phone or land line options are limited. Most VoIP options are only found in the desktop version of your meeting solution, however some now offer VoIP via smartphone as well.

 
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Cora Rodenbusch

Digital Nomad Tip #34: How to Host a Meeting From Anywhere

May 7th, 2012 by Cora Rodenbusch Posted in Audio Best Practices, Audio Conferencing, Collaboration, Conferencing, Cora the Digital Nomad, GlobalMeet, iMeet, Meeting Tips, PGi, Telecommuting, Tips and Tricks, Video Conferencing, Virtual Meetings
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Greetings from Kyoto, Japan! I mean, Nagoya. Actually, now we’re in Shin-Yokohama! It’s hard to tell where we are these days, especially when we’re on the move at 186 mp/h in Japan’s ‘Bullet Train,’ the Shinkansen. At these speeds it’s hard to image a productive day in the office, but with the right technology I’m able to do almost everything I could do at my desk while on the road – join a call, book my next business trip, video conference with a potential job candidate, run through my power point presentation…

Video conference? Present slides? That’s right. Even in the world’s fastest moving train, 6,000 miles away, it’s possible to host a video or web conference when you have the right technology.

Hear from PGi Australia/New Zealand Sales Director on how he hosted his latest video presentation from the back of a taxi.

Over the past year, I’ve traveled to PGi’s 30+ global offices, hosting meetings virtually and in-person in 12 different time zones and in a variety of office and “not-so-office-like” locations (i.e. McDonald’s, airports, busses, under mosquito nets, etc.).

To host a meeting outside the comfort of the cubicle walls, you’ll need to ensure your digital tool belt is stocked, your environment is meeting-compatible and most of all, you’re up for the challenge.

Below are five steps you can take to ensure your next “meeting-to-go” is a success.

1. Find meeting technology that’s made for mobile workers. This is tip #1 for a reason! Finding a solution that is not just mobile-friendly, but truly compatible with a mobile workers’ surroundings can mean the difference between a meeting and a meeting attempt. You’ll want to find a solution that is not only designed for multiple devices, but also one that’s “forgiving” of the mobile working environment, in that it can work around weak cell signal, fleeting internet and a noisy background, as well as accommodate guests from any part of the world, on any device.

Earlier this year, I reviewed the GlobalMeet® Web Conferencing app for Blackberry. The recently updated app allows hosts to start or join a meeting on the go, send our invites, adjust participant volume, see who’s it talking with Active Talker, lock, mute or record their call, all from the app.

2. Take note of your surroundings. Even with a solution that anticipates connectivity issues, it’s best to know what you’re working with before dialing into the call. Does your cell have signal in that specific spot? What about your WiFi connection? Or background noise? Find a solution with dial-in, dial-out and call over the internet (VoIP) options. Apps or browser based/download-free solutions will require minimal bandwidth ensuring your meeting time isn’t spent troubleshooting.

 
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Cora Rodenbusch

Digital Nomad Tip #33: Welcome Enterprise Technology to Your Home

April 23rd, 2012 by Cora Rodenbusch Posted in Collaboration, Collaboration Technology Services, Conferencing, Cora the Digital Nomad, GlobalMeet, iMeet, PGi, Telecommuting, Virtual Meetings
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Konnichiwa and greetings from Tokyo! Nowhere else have I found a culture so strongly dedicated to efficiency, commerce and technology -  From futuristic robots to loos smarter than most humans and the world’s largest broadcasting tower, Tokyo’s got it covered.

Over the past 10 months on the road, visiting PGi’s 30+ global offices, I have used PGi’s virtual meeting solutions, iMeet® and GlobalMeet®, to join meetings, present important ideas, on-board new team members and keep rapport with my stakeholders. Unlike most enterprise technology, I use iMeet and GlobalMeet because they’re browser-based so it’s quick and easy to start the meeting . They’re also simple and let the meeting be about my guests, not features.

After almost two years of using the products to break down communication barriers at work, I’ve started using them “at home.” Recently, I took my accountant through a few tax documents thanks to GlobalMeet’s screen share and recorded the meeting for my husband to review afterwards. I’ve also been able to make an appearance at my friend’s wedding and share a few words during her rehearsal dinner via iMeet.

GlobalMeet Brings Me Face-to-Face with My Accountant 5K Miles Away

The same technology I use to join my Monday morning status call is my technology of choice for connecting with friends and family. Most knowledge workers are familiar with the rise of consumer technology in the workplace – multimedia, mobility and social networking . However, similar to the BYOD trend, my personal technology choices are taking notes from my 9-to-5 and influencing the technology I bring home.

While abroad this year, I’ve met new babies, congratulated the newly engaged and even approved my mom’s sofa choice through the same technology I use to take my team through an Excel sheet. I believe that this convergence is an indicator of technology that is easy to use and dare I say fun.

Have you used enterprise technology in your personal life? Which business technology will find its way into the consumer marketplace next?

 
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Cora Rodenbusch

PGi Employees Take “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” to a Whole New Level This Earth Week

April 16th, 2012 by Cora Rodenbusch Posted in Favorite Things, iMeet, PGi, Tips and Tricks, Virtual Meetings
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PGi’s employees take “reduce, reuse, recycle” to a whole new level this year by bringing more green to their work- and home-lives.

From break room composting to commuting on vegetable oil, here are five different practices the PGi team is following to reduce their environmental footprint.

Go Green in the Office:

Compost Break Room Leftovers: Alex from PGi’s EMEA headquarters in Clonakilty, Ireland saw an opportunity to give new life to his coworkers’ old food scraps. Instead of throwing lunch remains in the break room trash, associates will soon be able to dispose of their sandwich crusts,  leftovers and old fruit and vegetables in a special container. Alex plans on taking each week’s organic waste to a neighborhood compost where it can then used to super-charge their community garden.

Ditch the Notepad and Take Electronic Notes: Michael from PGi’s Melbourne office is cutting down on paper this year by bringing his note taking to the cloud. Instead of dragging around his notebook, Michael uses Evernote to keep track of his meetings and stay up to speed on new projects. Aside from saving paper, Evernote allows him to access his notes even away from his computer or an internet connection thanks to the Evernote apps on his phone, iPad and in his iMeet room.

Go Green at Home

Switch to Biodegradable Diapers: Might sound strange, but it’s true! Biodegradable diapers are now on the market and just in time for Allen from PGi’s Chicago office’s new arrival. As opposed to using reusable or just regular diapers, Allen and his wife did their research and decided that biodegradable ones were for them. Allen believes that teaching children how to be kind to the environment starts at a young age.

 
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Cora Rodenbusch

Digital Nomad Tip #31: How To Host A Video Conference From a Taxi

April 9th, 2012 by Cora Rodenbusch Posted in Collaboration, Cora the Digital Nomad, iMeet, PGi, Telecommuting, Tips and Tricks, Video Conferencing, Virtual Meetings, Virtual Sales Strategies
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When PGi’s Damian Martina realized a flight delay would put him in Brisbane just minutes before his big presentation, he looked to iMeet®’s mobility suite to keep business moving at the speed of light.

Last month, Australia/New Zealand Sales Director and tech enthusiast Damian Martina scheduled a sales presentation to take place a few hours after he was scheduled to land in Brisbane. Instead of cancelling the meeting due to a last minute flight delay, Damian took iMeet®’s new iPad app for a test drive and showed his prospects what it really means to take your business on the road.

How To Host A Video Conference From a Taxi

As soon as the plane landed, Damian collected his bags and quickly turned his phone into a walking WiFi hotspot by activating his tethering app. After connecting his iPad to his phone’s WiFi signal, he opened up his room in the iMeet iPad app, loaded his presentation and asked the meeting to dial out to him. With the room open and his audio and webcam running, he confidently waited in the taxi line for his guests to arrive.

He even had a few minutes to take questions from an unexpected audience. The curious glances from those around him led to several impromptu demos with onlookers asking, “Are you really on video right now?” and “What’s it called again?”

Once in the taxi, Damian was able to flip through the pages of his presentation, convey points “in person” via the video stream and carry on with the meeting, all at 60km/h.

“My guests couldn’t believe that I was really in a taxi. I had to turn my iPad around so they could see where I was.”

Damian remarks, “Just a few months ago something like this would not have been possible. Today, I find that I can do 90% of my work remotely. Thanks to iMeet, I don’t have to delay business because of my location.”

Just recently I met Damian in person at PGi’s Asia-Pac headquarters in Sydney. I congratulated him on making his meeting come together despite his circumstances – I know how unpredictable life on the road can be! He laughed and said that it wasn’t difficult at all. The app made it easy to start the meeting and pull up his files. And because his guests already had his room name, he didn’t need to dial out to his guests or circulate length dial-in details providing for a stress-free meeting.

As for his video appearance, he said it left quite the impression on his guests.

For more information on iMeet’s mobility suite, watch PGi Founder and CEO, Boland Jones take you through the iPhone and iPad apps in iMeet has gone mobile. Where will you take it?

Want your own iMeet room? Sign up for a 30-day free trial today. For those in Asia Pacific, learn more about the Asia-Pac iMeet pilot program by emailing your interest to APStrategyandMarketing@pgi.com.

Have you needed to run a meeting outside the office? What advice would you give to a novice mobile worker?

 
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Cora Rodenbusch

Digital Nomad Tip #30: The No-Hour Work Week

April 4th, 2012 by Cora Rodenbusch Posted in Cora the Digital Nomad, iMeet, Meeting Tips, PGi, Telecommuting, Tips and Tricks, Virtual Meetings
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Greetings from St. Kilda beach in Melbourne, Australia. After two weeks telecommuting in Sydney, PGi’s Asia-Pacific headquarters, my husband and I made our way to the Brisbane office and then down to Melbourne for our final Australian stop before Tokyo.

Australia is one of the most stress-free mobile work environments I’ve worked in all year. Setting up my mobile office has been easy with several pay-as-you-go mobile options and WiFi on every street corner. However as most global workers know, working 15+ hours away from your key stakeholders means it’s nearly impossible to work “in-person” as a team. Even the most global-minded workers struggle with just an hour overlap each day, and that’s only if we stay late or start early.

Remote working in your future? Take a look out our newest team member’s account of what it’s like to be managed from half way around the world.

Although working alongside my APAC colleagues has been invaluable, I have missed out on my US team’s last-minute meetings and impromptu announcements, which is why for the next two weeks, I’ve decided to shift to US hours. Working through the night might turn me into one of those adorable nocturnal Koalas, but making the shift isn’t as unreasonable as it sounds.

For me, conventional work hours are not as important as flexibility in location. And I believe this shift isn’t much of a tradeoff for me or PGi.

Kayaking the Milford Sound in New Zealand

Recently, I read Fast Company’s controversial article, “The No-Hour Workweek: Reinventing Employee Expectations For The Modern Economy.”  Don’t let the title fool you. The article is not a how-to guide for achieving a zero hour work week. In fact, it’s just the opposite. John Stein, CEO and Founder of Betterment gives us a look at his recent startup and a peek inside the future of the workplace, where office hours and location limitations are lifted and the focus is shifted to what’s most important to the business and the employees.

John shares, “In designing a working environment that would bring out the best qualities in our team, we had to come up with a model to satisfy the demands of a startup while balancing the needs of individuals.”

In exchange for unpredictable or additional hours, John offered associates flexible work hours, team R&R, the opportunity to define quarterly goals and low- or no-cost benefits that motivate more just a paycheck can.

In order to ease the demand on his team, John’s new model rejected the outdated, time-consuming corporate standards of yesteryear and focused on a new way of business where employees are given the freedom to meet team objectives on their terms, whether it’s at night or on the weekends, in-person or virtual, in between parent teacher conferences or in the office.

One of my favorite studies to come out this year is from TeamViewer, which found that employees would be willing to give up their smartphones, shopping and showers (strangely enough) and even make sacrifices that would affect their compensation and benefits packages in order to have flexible working hours and locations.

 
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Cora Rodenbusch

Digital Nomad Tip #29: Top 5 Ways to Mix Business (Trips) with Pleasure

March 26th, 2012 by Cora Rodenbusch Posted in Cora the Digital Nomad, iMeet, Telecommuting, Tips and Tricks, Virtual Meetings
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Greetings from the Great Barrier Reef! This week I find myself in one of the Seven Wonders of the World, a destination I’ve always dreamed of visiting.

No, you’re not mistaken. PGi doesn’t have an office in the reef or at Bronte beach pictured below, but visiting local attractions like these is one of the many benefits of traveling while working. While a business traveler’s weekdays can be grueling days spent in the city, nights and weekends are a great time to get outside the office and tour.

Weekend Trip to Sydney's Bronte Beach

Over the past year, I’ve traveled to almost all of PGi’s 30+ global offices and while my situation is unique I find that what I’ve learned could apply to any business traveler.

Top 5 Ways to Mix Business (Trips) with Pleasure:

1. Book a Hotel Like a Tourist:

Most companies allow their associates to choose their accommodation. When booking your lodging, look for unique establishments that cater to your vacation style.

I look for discounted resorts or boutique bed & breakfasts, followed by vacation rentals and independent hotels.  Aside from extra character, I find that local establishments offer amenities that large hotels don’t such as free laundry facilities, bicycles to borrow, full kitchens and a nice place to sit outside and enjoy my morning coffee. Even with perks like these, local lodging can cost far less than hotels frequented by business professionals. A few of my favorite booking sites are AirBnB.com, Booking.com (look for their “Flash Deals”), Hotels.com and HomeAway.com.

Not everyone cares for a boutique hotel on their “workation.” When my husband was traveling up to three weeks a month he asked his company’s travel department if he could book a house boat on the river for his next trip. For someone like my husband who isn’t fond of hotels, having the opportunity to experience the city like a local made for a happier, more productive worker.

Even if you’re restricted to a list of approved hotels, look for lodging that provides special amenities such as complimentary shuttles to major tourist spots, outdoor walking trails or scenic views.

Make sure your “outside the box,” vacation-style lodging offers free, unlimited WiFi. For those offering “internet access” or “free WiFi” call ahead to make sure you can use your device and access isn’t limited to a certain amount of time.

2. Stay the Weekend:

Some companies allow their traveling professionals to push their return flight back a few days so that they can stay the weekend. If this is an option for you, consider adding a few days to the end of your trip and enjoy being a tourist in a new city. For as little as the cost of your hotel, you could have a weekend vacation.

You might be able to negotiate a discounted weekend rate on your room based your current booking.

3. Plan a Scenic Commute:

You might have found the resort of your dreams, but if it’s too far away from the office you’ll be miserable getting to work. Find a location that is close to the office but gives you the chance to take a short ferry or walk through an urban green space like a park or community garden.

Just last week we were in Sydney and I had the great fortune of walking through the city’s legendary Royal Botanical Gardens on the way to work. Nothing makes a business trip more memorable than experiencing the city’s natural beauty.

4. Dine Like a Food Blogger:

Just because you’re on business doesn’t mean you need to eat at the airport or company cafeteria. If you have time, get out of the business park and visit one of the city’s top restaurants or coffee shops.

Like many business travelers, time is of the essence so I prefer to use TripAdvisor‘s “Near Me Now” feature to see what’s in walking distance. I can also specify my price range to stay within my per diem.

5. Bring Your Friends or Family Along:

I remember joining my dad on his business trip to Washington D.C. when I was in elementary school.  Some of our family’s best vacations occurred after his meetings were over and we could spend our time touring as a family. If you can’t bring the family along this time, consider kissing the little ones good night via video. The same technology you used earlier in the day to close that big deal can be used to have a special moment with your family.

I use iMeet® to stay connected with my friends and  family while traveling.  iMeet is simple. I don’t have any dial-in codes or URLs for me or my friends to remember, ensuring technology doesn’t get in the way of our time together. I also don’t have to keep track of long distance fees or worry about being at my computer for the call. With the iMeet Mobility Suite, I can be at dinner or en route to my next office and still see them face-to-face.

Although I’m on my global journey with business at the forefront of my mind, I’ve enjoyed thinking outside the box when it comes to my nights and weekends. I imagine that my generation of workers will continue to value flexibility in location over traditional incentives, making it more important than ever to find a balance between business (trips) and pleasure.

What would make your next business trip more enjoyable? What kind of lodging makes you a more satisfied, productive worker?

 
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Cora Rodenbusch

Digital Nomad Tip #28: Don’t Let a Few Miles Keep Your Team From a Big Opportunity

March 19th, 2012 by Cora Rodenbusch Posted in Collaboration, Conferencing, Cora the Digital Nomad, iMeet, PGi, Telecommuting, Tips and Tricks, Video Conferencing, Virtual Meetings, Web Conferencing
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G’day mate and greetings from down under in beautiful Sydney, Australia! After taking a week off in the Hobbit capital of the world, South Island, New Zealand, we made our way to Sydney and have been enjoying some of the best weather the city has to offer.

In the short time we’ve been here, my colleagues have taken me to Sydney’s most iconic landmarks as well as a few lesser known sites, such as the local pub and this stunning art installation in a small alleyway just a few feet from the office.

Aside from the temptation of Sydney’s nightlife, working here couldn’t be easier. The connectivity is the best we’ve experienced in Asia-Pac and much like Hong Kong, the city runs 24/7 making it easy for digital nomads like myself to find places to work (and coffee to drink) at all hours.

Just recently I put my Digital Nomad skills to the test and joined Evernote’s Andrew Sinkov and Green Strategist Lewis Perkins in PGi’s SXSW panel, Up in the Air: On the Move with the Working Nomad via iMeet®. I was honored to (virtually) sit alongside two of the industry’s top thought leaders to discuss what it looks like to work on the go.

Over the past few years, I have attended SXSW in person thanks to PGi’s prime real estate, centered in the heart of  downtown. But this year was special in that I was able to show the power and financial value of video conferencing by joining via iMeet®. No plane tickets, no travel time, no hotels, just me in my office here in Sydney, far removed from an 18+ hour flight and a $3,500+ transportation bill.

I started to realize that video conferencing was no longer a nice-to-have for my business, but a must-have. From budgets to time management, environmental awareness and taking advantage of overseas’ opportunities, video fills a void that exists in the workplace today.

Go Virtual to Cut Costs: PGi recently brought USA Today’s rising cost of travel stats to life with a powerful visual  – Ditch the Rising Gas Prices – Get a Room [INFOGRAPHIC]. I chimed in to say that driving my car wasn’t the only mode of transportation that was becoming cost prohibitive. I think I set an iMeet® record when I was in Zurich, Switzerland paying $17 just to go a few miles on the bus!

 
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Cora Rodenbusch

PGi Receives Ragan Communications Inc.’s 2011 Best Employee Magazine Award

March 12th, 2012 by Cora Rodenbusch Posted in Collaboration, Collaboration Technology Services, Cora the Digital Nomad, PGi, Tips and Tricks
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Greetings from Hong Kong! After eight months on the road, making my way to PGi’s 30+ global offices I find myself half way around the world in a far-off, but strangely familiar land; Hong Kong. This Asia Pacific mega-city is strikingly similar to New York City, with an emphasis on global business, green space and the arts – Even the pace in which they walk brings me back to my time in the Big Apple.

This sense of familiarity furthers my suspicion that the world can be just as large as it is similar – A byproduct of a world that is more connected than ever.

PGi is no stranger to connecting people from pole to pole. Since the start of my journey, I’ve relied heavily on PGi’s virtual meeting solutions, iMeet® and GlobalMeet® to connect back to my teams in Atlanta, Sydney and almost everywhere in between.

We understand global and go to great lengths to match our internal operations with our external focus on bringing people together anytime, anywhere, on any device.  When I started working on The PGi Times, PGi’s interactive magazine for our 1,800+ global associates, I witnessed PGi’s dedication to global firsthand. From product launches to executive communication, service quality control, even our recent employee 20th Anniversary celebration – everything is approached with global in mind.

 
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Digital Nomad 101: Your Guide to Working Outside the Office

February 22nd, 2012 by Cora Rodenbusch Posted in Cora the Digital Nomad, PGi, Telecommuting, Tips and Tricks
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Greetings from Thailand! Over the past two weeks I’ve discovered firsthand why Thailand is the object of so many culture buffs and resort seekers affection. The country’s natural beauty, low cost of living, unbelievable cuisine and welcoming locals make for a soft place to land for any traveler, but what about those in search for speedy internet and strong cell reception?? Thankfully, even the most remote islands in Thailand cater to WiFi addicts like me.

I’m proud to report back that Thailand makes for a wonderful “workation” destination. With its strong infrastructure and VoIP-quality internet, Thailand has been the perfect place to combine work and play.

For those now inspired to relocate their office to a tropical paradise, you may be one step closer. Last month I was fortunate enough to (virtually) work alongside mobile workforce guru, WorkSnug on a Digital Nomad 101: Your Guide to Working Outside the Office series, designed to give teleworker-hopefuls the information they need to set-up a mobile office.

In the three-part series we cover everything from figuring out if you’re a candidate for remote working with a “What’s My Work Style” quiz, pitching your boss on the big idea, packing your Digital Nomad tool belt and making your time away from the office a success.

If you’ve considering working outside the office in 2012 or if your direct reports are requesting a flexible work environment, I encourage you to check out the series. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll be enlightened, you might even be inspired to join me in Thailand.

Digital Nomad 101: Your Guide to Working Outside the Office

For more information on what it takes to work outside the office take a look at  PGi’s Top 10 Teleworking Articles for the Mobile Workforce and Go Mobile or Go Home for the latest research in mobile working and the rise of the mobile workforce, Is Your Team Teleworker Friendly? for insight on how your team can best accomodate remote colleagues, and finally For the Love of Travel: Top Tech Products for Today’s Road Warrior, a fun read for those who love to shop as much as they love to travel.

Have you ever worked outside the office? What advice would you give to those considering a mobile office?

 
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