What is a formal distributed work program?

Some companies, through acquisitions, telecommute options, and marketplace forces, may have a formal distributed work, or “work-from-everywhere,” program. Other names for employee-focused flexible work location programs are flexible working, hoteling, telecommuting, work-from-home, “digital nomads,” or “road warriors.” Usually, these programs have formal polices around the employee programs, but may not have any formal programs or tools for other distributed teams.

In upcoming entries, I will discuss some ways that companies may find themselves with distributed teams that were created "accidently," as well as some ways to improve the work flow, and with any luck, the work output, of these teams. These improvements may also increase work satisfaction, reduce frustrations, and improve relationships between workers. It may also give a company some new options for how to quickly enter a new market location, or how to integrate an acquisition.