My assistant, Kyle, and I have worked together over five years. During this time, I believe both of us have grown from our business relationship. I’ve learned about computers and programs and how to change with the times. Case in point: online banking. I think Kyle has learned about business dealings and smooth transitions and being up for anything. Case in point: taking on some real estate projects that were not in the original job description. Together, Kyle, Earl, and I have managed more than one challenge.
But over the past couple months, we’ve been experimenting with working via long distance, so that Kyle doesn’t have to drive one hundred miles to Michigan once or twice a week to work with us. We’ve set up our banking accounts on the Internet, we’ve tried using video cameras, and we’ve talked through various problems on the telephone. It has, to one degree or another, worked.
However, what it has taught me is that there is no substitute for face-to-face working together, regardless of the cost savings of each of us being in our own home office. It’s awkward to send an email to Kyle requesting something and then wonder if A. he received the email and B. when he will get around to my request. There is no instant feedback, and I believe that is a crucial element in getting work done. It’s also more difficult to catch problems before they become problems when you don’t have the give-and-take of a face-to-face business environment occurring in real time.
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