Snow Day

Oh the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful,
And since we’ve no place to go,
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

If there was still any room for denial that winter is upon us, the recent cold spell has certainly caught our attention.  In our house, that has resurfaced fond memories of last year’s snow and the prospect of more snow days.  Unfortunately, the grown up realities of work take away much of the associated magic.  In fact, a snow day can actually turn out to be a stressful affair when there is work to be done back at the office and you cannot get there to do it.

So what can be done to help prepare for this possibility?  Borrowing from the wisdom of Benjamin Franklin, an “ounce of preparation can prevent a pound of frustration.”  Below are some suggestions for readying yourself for a work from home day:

• Get Ready: Before you actually need it, make sure that you are setup for remote access to your work’s network and have the instructions for how to do so.  If you are unsure about either, check with the IT manager, network administrator, or whoever wears that proverbial hat within your organization.
• Trial Run: Once you are setup and know the process for connecting remotely, give it a try … preferably before you actually need it.  This will allow you to work out the kinks, especially if there is any assistance or support you need to get it working.
• Be Prepared: Now that you have successfully connected to your office remotely, make sure that your essential work is accessible, including email, documents, and databases.  Also, make sure that you have access to any applications required for working with your data.  If you have a laptop, make sure that you have all the accessories available, in particular a power adapter and/or extra batteries.
• Know the Policy: Before the snow arrives, make sure that you know your organization’s inclement weather policy.  How will an office closure be communicated?  What is the expectation for working if the office is closed?  What if the weather is fine at your house, but not at the office (or vice versa)?  Are there any exceptions or restrictions to the policy?
• Communicate: If your office is closed due to weather, do not necessarily assume that your customers or partners will be closed also.  So start the day by confirming or rescheduling any meetings or appointments on your calendar.  To make this easier, make sure that your contact list is readily available.  Keep in mind that everybody might not have access to email, so you might want to make a phone call instead.
• Have Fun: Despite your best effort to be productive, sometimes it’s just not in the cards.  No power at home?  Unable to connect to the office?  About to go stir crazy?  Put the keyboard down, grab your kids, spouse, partner, neighbor, and/or dog, and reacquaint yourself with the fun and promise that a snow day once held.

In which case, get out the sled, build a snowman, or enjoy a cup of cocoa in front of the fire … and let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!