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Mobile devices, cloud computing, and omnipresent Internet connections have made it easier than ever for employees in all fields to work from home, from the local coffee shop, or on the road. Yet many employers have been slow to embrace the work-anywhere revolution.

Because sales and marketing are results-driven positions, they are ideally tailored to the flexibility of a work-at-home or work-away-from-the-office scheme. Here’s how to convince your employer that working at home can work for you:

Talk results.

Like your customers, your employer has one question in mind: “What’s in it for me?” Center your discussion about working from home around the benefits it provides to your employer – even if you are also interested in the benefits it provides to you.

Some of the measurable benefits working at home can provide include:

  • Increased productivity. Home is often quieter than the workplace, and with nobody interrupting you to ask questions, drop off paperwork, or talk about Saturday’s game, you’ll get more done in less time.
  • More working hours. No commute means more time to devote to completing the day’s tasks.
  • Flexibility in meeting customers or clients. Have a client or customer who keeps changing the date or time of your meeting place? It’s easier to drop everything and rush out the door for this “tough sell” when you don’t have to disentangle yourself from a meeting or explain to the receptionist where you’ve gone.
  • Free up office space. If space or other resources are at a premium in your office, you can free them up for office-only tasks by taking portable work elsewhere.

Provide metrics.

For most employers, the big “sticking point” about allowing employees to work from home is that employers feel they cannot supervise or measure your productivity if they can’t see it. To overcome this objection, create a “crib sheet” of specific, quantifiable, measurable methods your employer can use to track your productivity whether or not you’re in the office.

For sales and marketing professionals, whose work often depends on measurable results, this may simply mean reminding your employer that you’re responsible for closing X number of deals or increasing Web traffic by Y percent each month – and that your employer can see whether or not you’re doing it even if he or she can’t see you sitting in your cubicle.

Balance work at home with work in the office.

Even the most flex-friendly employers still want to see your face more often than not. Use working at home for those times you really need to concentrate, be closer to a customer or client, or free up office resources for co-workers’ tasks. Not only will your employer appreciate your out-of-office efforts, but you’ll maintain the relationships with your team members that are crucial to professional success.

How can you find an employer who will be on board with your work flexibility? Talk to an experienced recruiter. At SMR Group, our recruiters can help you find the sales or marketing position you’re looking for. Contact us today to learn more!


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