Practical Guidance

These scenarios illustrate some of the management and technology issues you will need to consider in implementing new and more flexible ways of working.Flexible working from homeFull or part-time working from home can have clear advantages for home employees, allowing them to balance work and family responsibilities. Businesses also benefit from a noticeable improvement in the productivity of individuals.In the home, a broadband connection enables occasional or full-time home workers to access the internet using a PC and also log on to your company network and systems, in order to access email and other information. A broadband connection can also...

...allow the individual to make voice calls over the internet (VoIP), often at reduced rates. Note that consumergrade VoIP services are often not right for business. They can be unreliable, lack the quality one would expect to use in a business exchange and generally offer no dedicated support. For more information on working from home, see part two of this guide.Flexible working on the roadAdvances in internet and mobile connectivity mean people can use a laptop computer, a sophisticated mobile phone or personal digital assistant (PDA) to send and receive emails and other messages from home or on the road.3G mobile services offer speeds broadly equivalent to a broadband connection. The need to maintain security means care should be taken to protect sensitive information when using a public wireless hotspot or a private wireless connection. Flexible working in the workplace Installing a Local Area Network (LAN) links all your phones, computers and otherdevices at a site or office together using IP technology to replace separate voice and data networks. A LAN increases the use you can make of your workplace. No longer dependent on hard-wired connections, you can move phones, computers, printers and people where you need them, when... continued on page two >

The Future Gallery for Change Makers

Fresh Business Thinking reports from The Future Gallery for Change Makers, where entrepreneurs deliver a message to Mark Prisk, Minister for Business and Enterprise. Aug '10Change Makers is presented by Courvoisier, and hosted by Seven Hills and Enternships.