Episode #46: Katie Cunningham of Cox Media Group

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Katie Cunningham, of Cox Media Group, talks about implementing the Pomodoro time management technique, silly, but effective ways of getting people’s attention in IRC channels, and making yourself attractive to prospective remote employers.

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Show Notes:

Twitter: @kcunning
TheRealKatie.net

00:38 – Katie Cunningham introduction & background

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  • Django and Python developer with Cox Media Group of Atlanta
  • Author of forthcoming Accessibility Handbook: Making 508 Websites
  • Based in Washington, DC
  • Previously worked for NASA
  • Pursued by a recruiter to work at Cox

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03:53 – Cox actively looks for people who can work remotely

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  • Have remote days
  • All remotes on one team
  • All conversations must happen in IRC

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06:05 – A day in the life

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  • Work right away to get off earlier
  • Pomodoro method: get up and walk somewhere else every 25 minutes
  • Check email, IRC channels
  • Exercise is important
  • Work on books during lunch
  • Code reviews
  • Admin work

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12:30 – Advantages of working from home

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  • Relaxed
  • Flexible with kids
  • No office: kids are behind her and she can keep an eye on them

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16:20 – Isolation working from home

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  • Up time is other peoples’ down time
  • Limited interruptions and distractions
  • Having kids/husband around is fun

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18:50 – Transitioning to working from home

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  • Thought she’d be lonlier
  • Thought she’d miss getting out of the house

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20:12 – Problems working from home

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  • Fatigue
  • Training the family
  • Getting help for work/asking questions/getting people’s attention in IRC

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26:20 – Communication strategies

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  • Always have an ally
  • Calling your manager or office admin and asking who’s around
  • Silly code words in IRC

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29:55 – Exercise

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  • Constantly moving within an office
  • Go for walks
  • Concentrating while standing
  • Wii Fit/Kinect

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33:42 – Where can people find remote work?

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  • Talk to good recruiters
  • Good remote positions don’t advertise they’re looking for employees

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36:31 – Making yourself attractive prospective employers

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  • Present yourself well
  • Network like crazy
  • Go to conferences–even if paying out of pocket
  • Organize your own day
  • Exceptional writing skills

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38:38 – Most important pieces of advice for remote workers

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  • Learn how to communicate early
  • Learn who to communicate with
  • Make your presence felt on the team
  • Network with social media: stay involved

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