Trends in the US show many companies are moving toward having more remote employees. According to GlobalWorkplaceAnalytics.com, the number of employees who work from home has grown by 103% since 2005 and 3.7 million employees now work from home at least half the time. While there are benefits to having remote employees, at JEBCommerce we see the value in having all of our employees work in the same office together. This is especially important with affiliate marketing and having all of my fellow affiliate managers in the same office has made all the difference in my success with affiliate program management and enjoyment of my job. This blog post will touch on a few of the biggest reasons why I feel it is so important to be in the same office instead of telecommuting.
All of the affiliate managers at JEB have particular strengths. Some are experts in navigating certain networks and know the “ins and outs”. Others have managed programs solely based on new-to-file growth or pay-per-call programs. All of us have managed affiliate programs in a huge variety of niches – everything from emergency preparedness supplies to very realistic looking porcelain dolls. This variety of affiliate program management, coupled with our diverse educational backgrounds and pre-JEB job histories, provides a vast array of knowledge and skills that are brought to the table.
One great way we have utilized this collective knowledge is through brainstorming sessions. When we have new programs or programs that are stuck in a rut, we can assemble the entire management team, give an overview of the current state of the program, and glean input on creative, useful ways to grow the program. These brainstorm sessions are incredibly valuable as we feed off each others ideas and come up with great solutions and innovative ways to better succeed for our clients.
Another reason it’s great to have the other managers close by is to simply discuss affiliate marketing with someone who understands. I know the majority of our significant others and family members have no idea what we do all day at work. Sometimes I see my husband’s eyes glaze over when I tell him about stuff that happened at work. Having other managers present to talk to definitely helps us to feel like we’re not alone in this job. We are all dealing with similar stuff and can relate.
Something that has really stood out to me is seeing the affiliate management team’s eagerness to help one another. No matter how busy we get, no one hesitates to read over an email or offer advice on how to handle a certain situation going on in a particular affiliate program. And since we are all working in the same office, it is easy to pop our heads over their cube and ask for advice. It is amazing to see the teamwork and collaboration with all of the managers here!
The reasons I’ve stated above are why I think it is so valuable for us to be together in one office. While some of this communication may be achieved through email and video conferencing, I feel that having everyone together brings a different level of collaboration. When all of the managers get together, we are able to do amazing things! I feel so fortunate to be part of such a great team of affiliate managers. Where do you stand on working remotely vs. in the office? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
