Featured in the segments below are Telecommute Connecticut speakers and employer representatives discussing all aspects of telecommuting from implementation to its benefits to both employers and employees alike.

Each segment may be viewed in its entirety; with the longer discussions also divided into smaller segments for specific topics.

• Telecommuting: An Economic Imperative (Peter Gioia/CBIA)
  

  Peter Gioia, CBIA Vice President & Chief Economist, discusses how telecommuting is a key part of the solution to the challenges facing Connecticut businesses.

  
  
  • An Economic Imperative (7:45) Play Quicktime Video Play Flash Video
    Peter Gioia, Vice President & Chief Economist of CBIA, offers his insights on why telecommuting is a crucial solution in boosting Connecticut's economy.
• Intro to Telecommuting (Jean Stimolo/Telecommute Connecticut)
  

  Jean Stimolo, Telecommute Connecticut Project Manager, looks at what telecommuting is, the business case for implementing a telecommuting program, and how to do so effectively.

  
  
  • What Is Telecommuting?
    (Jean Stimolo, Telecommute Connecticut)
    Jean Stimolo, Program Manager for Telecommute Connecticut, provides an introduction to telecommuting as an effective workplace practice.
  • Telecommuting: An Overview of Trends and Benefits
    (Jean Stimolo, Telecommute Connecticut)
    Jean Stimolo, Program Manager for Telecommute Connecticut, examines the growing use of telecommuting in Connecticut and how Telecommute Connecticut can help employers achieve the benefits of telecommuting.
• The Employer HR Factor (Laura Collins/Telecommute Connecticut)
  

  Laura Collins, Telecommute Connecticut Human Resources Consultant, discusses HR telecommuting issues including who should telecommute, managing risks, developing, monitoring and evaluating a pilot program and more.

  
  
  • The Importance of Selling Telecommuting to Top Management
    (Laura Collins, Telecommute Connecticut)
    Laura Collins, HR Consultant for Telecommute Connecticut, describes factors in gaining organizational buy-in when implementing a telecommuting program.
  • Useful Management Tools
    (Laura Collins, Telecommute Connecticut)
    Laura Collins, HR Consultant for Telecommute Connecticut, presents key tools to help managers effectively supervise telecommuters.
  • The Selection Process
    (Laura Collins, Telecommute Connecticut)
    Laura Collins, HR Consultant for Telecommute Connecticut, describes the details for designing and implementing a process for selecting telecommuters.
  • Guidelines for Determining Employee Eligibility for Telecommuting
    (Laura Collins, Telecommute Connecticut)
    Laura Collins, HR Consultant for Telecommute Connecticut, presents an eligibility model that identifies the 3 criteria that employees must meet to be considered for telecommuting.
  • Setting Up a Pilot Program
    (Laura Collins, Telecommute Connecticut)
    Laura Collins, HR Consultant for Telecommute Connecticut, discusses the benefits of using a telecommuting pilot program and the steps to establish one.
  • Discussion and Feedback (11:21) Play Complete Video
  • • View Segments of Discussion and Feedback Using Flash
    • Discussion and Feedback
      Laura Collins, HR Consultant for Telecommute Connecticut, leads a discussion among employers about challenges they may face in bringing telecommuting to their companies and possible solutions.
    • Managing Risks (2:36)
      Laura Collins, HR Consultant for Telecommute Connecticut, describes the 3 key factors that have the greatest impact on the success of a telecommuting program.
    • Business Continuity (1:57)
      Laura Collins, HR Consultant for Telecommute Connecticut, explains how a proper telecommuting program can help with the unique challenge of keeping your company up and running during emergency situations and major disasters.
    • Elegibility Models (20:34)
      Laura Collins, HR Consultant for Telecommute Connecticut, presents an eligibility model that identifies the 3 criteria that employees must meet to be considered for telecommuting.
    • Documentation (6:06)
      Laura Collins, HR Consultant for Telecommute Connecticut, outlines the proper documents necessary for ensuring that your telecommuting program runs smoothly.
    • Pilot Program (2:54)
      Laura Collins, HR Consultant for Telecommute Connecticut, discusses the usefulness of "test driving" your telecommuting effort with a pilot program, including the importance of evaluating your program.
    • Advisory Council & Website (1:30)
      Laura Collins, HR Consultant for Telecommute Connecticut, describes the value of using an advisory council and website to keep your telecommuting program current.
• Voice & Data Technology Factors (Carolyn Cary/Telecommute Connecticut)
  

  Carolyn Cary, Telecommute Connecticut's Voice & Data Consultant goes through information technology factors including costs, control & ownership, voice network, hardware & software requirements, and more.

  
  
  • Voice Technology Considerations for Telecommuting
    Carolyn Cary, Telecommute Connecticut)
    Carolyn Cary, Voice & Data Technology Consultant for Telecommute Connecticut, discusses general issues to be considered in providing voice communications to keep telecommuters connected.
  • More Voice Technology Considerations for Telecommuting
    (Carolyn Cary, Telecommute Connecticut)
    Carolyn Cary, Voice & Data Technology Consultant for Telecommute Connecticut, discusses additional issues to be considered in providing voice communications to keep telecommuters connected.
• Technology Deployment Factors
  

  Discussions about the various information technology considerations to consider when implementing telecommuting.

  
  
  • Putting Data Communications in Place for Telecommuters
    (Don Judson, Telecommute Connecticut)
    Don Judson, Voice & Data Technology Consultant for Telecommute Connecticut, explores best practices for meeting your technology needs for a telecommuting program.
• Employer Programs
  

  Representatives from employers Telecommute Connecticut has helped implement telecommuting successfully discuss the telecommuting programs at their respective companies.

  
  
  • Employer Perspective: Hospital of Saint Raphael
    Karen Lawlor of Hospital of Saint Raphael discusses their use of telecommuting to attract and retain high-quality employees.
  • Employer Perspective: Purdue Pharma
    Karen Laurel of Purdue Pharma describes their experience in setting up a successful telecommuting program.
  • Employer Perspective: Aetna
    Susan Beers of Aetna shares details of the development of Aetna’s telecommuting program, including how their experience may be helpful to other employers.
  • Employer Perspective: United Illuminating
    Ron Robert of United Illuminating discusses the objectives, challenges and cross-functional approach to developing a successful telecommuting program.
• Panel Discussion
  

  Representatives from three companies Telecommute Connecticut helped implement successful telecommuting programs discuss how and why telecommuting has been beneficial for various challenges their business had to resolve.

  
  
  • Panel Member Introductions (17:04) Play Complete Video
  • • View Segments of the Panel Discussion Using Flash
    • Panel Member Introductions
      Laura Collins, HR Consultant for Telecommute Connecticut, introduces executives from companies that are using telecommuting.
    • Kim Connolly, Smith Bros. Insurance (2:03)
      Kim Connolly, Executive Vice President, discusses how her company's telecommuting program was created.
    • Michele Henry, The Pension Service, Inc. (2:17)
      Michele Henry, Vice President, offers an overview of considerations during the development of her company's telecommuting program.
    • Susan Beers, Aetna Insurance (9:23)
      Susan Beers, Program Manager, provides a framework of her company's telecommuting program and how it might be applicable to employers of all sizes.
    • Part 2, Q&A (19:10) - Quicktime Video
    • Question #1 (3:38)
      How do you handle managers who just assign work to the nearest employee?
    • Question #2 (1:50)
      Are there perks or benefits for non-telecommuters to prevent ill will?
    • Question #3 (4:38)
      Is there an increase in employees who prefer flexibility over a corner office?
    • Question #4 (3:16)
      What are some guidelines for choosing employees who can telecommute?
    • Question #5 (1:22)
      Are there guidelines for dealing with dependent care issues?
    • Question #6 (2:54)
      Is there an average cost for supporting a telecommuter?
    • Thank & Wrap-up (1:35)
      Jean Stimolo and Laura Collins of Telecommute Connecticut thank participants/ attendees and offer contacts for companies interested in following up with Telecommute Connecticut.