FierceCIO is sponsoring a webinar on Dec. 10 that is likely to fit right in with your plans for your workforce. It's called Managing your Mobile Workforce: Building your network for the business of the future. Check out this webinar link. [1]

Here's a preview from one of our speakers, Cindy Auten, general manager of the Telework Exchange:

FierceCIO: How does a company make telework available to its staff?
CA: The first steps in establishing a telework program is to designate the organization's telework advisor, develop an organization-wide telework policy, determine telework eligibility, outline telework technology, and establish a rollout program including training for managers, teleworkers, and in-office workers on the new policies, technologies and procedures.

FierceCIO: Should it be a broad stroke or implemented in increments?
CA: It is a good idea to start with a pilot program, determine the strengths and weaknesses of your program and update as appropriate. This will help to develop a model program to expand throughout the organization. 

FierceCIO: How do you protect security for the teleworker?
CA: Security should be a top priority of the organization's telework policy. Top-ranked security measures include providing teleworkers with secure technology as well as training on how to handle the organization's data. It is critical to provide training to all employees--regardless of their telework status. 

FierceCIO: As telework has grown in the workplace, what are the biggest pluses, what are the biggest minuses?
CA: Telework supports continuity of operations planning, work/life balance for employees, recruitment and retention efforts, real estate cost saving, can alleviate high gas prices and traffic gridlock, as well as support the environment. Barriers to telework include management resistance, fear of loosing touch, lack of telework awareness, security misperceptions, and lack of training and technology to support telework.

For more on building a telework network, join us on Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. [2]