Learn the Lingo: Virtual Companies & Distributed Teams

Many newer officeless businesses are branding themselves as Virtual Companies. Online-based companies like Buffer work with a Distributed Team of employees pulled from a global talent pool – selecting candidates based on merit and fit rather than proximity. Money saved on office overhead goes toward tri-annual work retreats in beautiful locales all over the world. I'd take that over unfettered Keurig access any day, wouldn't you? Distributed Team jobs often include benefits, insurance and all the other trappings of a full-time job, and as such, you're as committed to your company as any regular employee. Just because you don't walk into a building five days a week doesn't make you a "freelancer" – a term I no longer use, deferring to consultant or independent.

Older, more traditional companies often balk at letting employees work offsite, even if there's no practical reason the tasks can't be completed remotely. Taking a hard line against progressive working arrangements is costing these companies access to the most in-demand talent. According to the following survey from The Creative Group's 2016 Salary Report, flexible work, remote work and liberal vacation policies were crucial to work-life balance satisfaction. 

While remote work is a perk, it's also a responsibility. Employees become their own managers, keeping track of their time, schedule and inter-office communication on top of the output required for their job function. Working proactively, with agility and agency, and being responsive and reactive even if the proverbial boss isn't actually looking over your shoulder requires discipline – and your work needs to speak for itself. You're not sticking it to the man when you fritter away hours on Facebook. Every minute you lallygag comes directly out of your own account. It takes focus, but removing your commute alone makes it more than worth it.