question:

Does any of your staff work remotely?

Yes: 20%

• As the owner, I work off site most of the time. I can manage the AP and marketing, which are my main two functions, and can review everything else in real time with camera, reports and the team knows what they need to do! My COO will work from home from time to time, working on projects whether it is budgets, or if we have our financial review or things that she needs a little more quiet time and privacy. — Tom D., Warren, OH
• Paperwork and phone calls can be done at home. I allow it because the employee has kids to take care of. — Karin B., Sheboygan Falls, WI
• We allow flexibility to work from home for non-sales or repair positions. Accounting work and marketing work is easily done from home, and employees like the ability to work from home if needed. — Gloria H., Topeka, KS
• I’m in Michigan and have an employee that moved to Oregon. She does all my social media, website, email blasts and calls/emails that I don’t have time to do. — Krystal S., Plymouth, MI
• Accounting staff of two works remotely, coming in the store one day a week. It started during Covid as both are immune-compromised. Our custom designer/social media person works remotely as well, coming in for appointments one day a week. — Georgie G., Palo Alto, CA
• I can string pearls and do bookkeeping from home. — Erin M., Lancaster, PA
• My digital marketing/bookkeeper works remotely as needed. — Kas J., Jefferson City, MO
• Our online sales manager is only at the store one day a week and the rest of the time she’s chained to her computer at home, listing, listing, listing. And listing. — Gretchen S., Sherman Oaks, CA
• They are very productive from home and get the job done! Between texting customers and doing design work from home, it is possible. — Meg R., Edmonds, WA
• Clientbook, clienteling, secret-shop other stores, training, research, professional reading, reviewing other companies’ websites and social media, goal setting, reflecting. — Jill K., Danielson, CT
• It’s not required, but I have staff that are very sales-oriented, and they will spend a lot of time at home texting with customers. — Becky B., Peabody, MA
• One of my part-time girls will create Facebook ads at home. — Gregory F., Washington, NJ
• Full-time advertising person, social media, etc. — Eileen E., Decatur, IN
• I have a bookkeeper that works mostly remote. He does come in once a week or so but majority is done from home. — Christopher S., Wexford, PA
• Marketing and store manager. It is easier to work on schedule, payroll, etc. from home. For marketing, they can easily work on all projects except product photography from home. — Kathleen S., Austin, TX
• The person possesses skills for IT and SM applications as well as knowing the business, so having her part-time outside the store works for both of us. — David B., Calgary, AB

No: 80%

• We need people (MORE people) here helping clients and available to do various business projects. — Jennifer Hornik Johnson, Miller’s Jewelry, Bozeman, MT
• All of our staff work in the stores. We find more productivity when they are around their peers. — Josh Perry, Perry’s Emporium, Wilmington, NC
• We don’t have decent enough web sales to justify having someone manage it offsite. — Bill E., Terre Haute, IN
• No, how does that even work? — Marc M., Midland, TX
• We’re in sales; you can’t interface with guests if you’re not here. — Garry Z., Chicago, IL
• We are just three family members and we need everyone here. — Nancy and Pierre P., Swansea, MA