Realizing that his company needed to offer more flexible work options to attract and retain the high-caliber personnel he needed to expand his business, John developed a telecommuting program for existing and prospective employees. A central voicemail system keeps telecommuting employees abreast of incoming office phone calls, ensuring seamless communication with clients. In addition, the Internet connects employees, facilitating transmission of loan applications and database access.

A needs assessment showed that technology was critical to the launch and success of the firm’s expansion using telework. Once the systems were in place to facilitate communication between employees from their home offices to the firm’s headquarters and access database information, the telework program was launched - and was an immediate success.

• · 40% Telecommute: Today, 3 of the company’s 12 employees telecommute; several work hours from headquarters, yet are always connected to the home office; several, now actively employed, would otherwise be unable to work.
  
• · Unlimited Expansion Potential: Already expanded into three new counties, the company’s telework systems translate into unlimited expansion potential.
  
• · Greater Employee Expertise: Telecommuting allows employees to become highly familiar with the communities in which they work, while the systems in place provide ease of data submission to complete business transactions.
  
• · Lower Overhead = Higher Commissions: The firm is able to pay 6% commission to its brokers instead of the standard 5% because telecommuting reduces fixed overhead expenses.
  
• · Higher Commissions, Flexible Work Arrangements = Loyal Employees: Greater workplace flexibility and compensation enable the company to attract, and retain loyal, highly experienced employees.