I used to have an office in Downtown Denver at a place called The Hive, a co-working community office not unlike others we see across the country like Independents Hall and Citizen Agency.  It allowed me to have a place to call my office and yet it didn’t bankrupt my budget.  I do reccomentd this situation to others if you have the opportunity.

I now work in a virtual office out of my home.  I actually have a dedicated office and it has not one but two desks and computer equipment and printers and a dead fax machine and not unlike many offices.  The only thing is the noise that surrounds me is beeps and clicks, blips and many other application noises.  Yes, even the chirp of the Tweetdeck that everyone wonders about while I am on the phone.

This is my virtual Cube Farm.  I used to work in corporate America for about 17 years and at a private law firm for 5 years before that, and I understand what that is like.  I was not the greatest fan of cubicles and white button down shirts.  Even after the adoption of "business casual" I still did not fit in completely.  I guess it comes from my younger years working outside and loving fresh air an sunshine.  The scene from Joe Versus the Volcano best described me as the light fixtures sucking out my soul.

I love working virtually from the comfort of my own home.  I am much more productive.  My commute is very green friendly and my uniform, well, let’s just described it as somewhere south of Business Casual.

I still have the whack a mole type conversations that I used to see happening the cube farm atmosphere, but they are preceded by a whistle or a beep or a bing as it were.  I talk and chat virtually with my co-workers all day long.  If you can hold on a second I need to quickly have a meeting with my financial advisor and counselor (yes, my three year old fills this role for me).

Mr. Waturi: "And what’s this lamp for? Isn’t there enough light in here for you?"

Joe: "The florescents affect me. They make me feel blotchy and puffy. I thought this this light would…"

Mr. Waturi: "Get rid of the light. This is not your bedroom, Joe. This is an office. Maybe if you start treating this like a job instead of some kind of a welfare hospital, you’ll shape up!"

Photo via MShades

Tags: Virtual Office, Community Office, Cubicle Farm, Corporate Working, HR