However, there are ways to mitigate these problems that primarily involve utilizing organizational skills and self-discipline – two qualities at which practice managers excel.

Issue #1: Remaining engaged with internal top-level executives, co-workers, and subordinates. Solutions include:

*Conduct weekly scheduled telephone meetings with key personnel to determine and document weekly goals and objectives, stay up-to-date about ongoing projects, and anticipate upcoming deadlines.
*Telephone subordinates at least twice per week to check in and offer assistance. Schedule in-person meetings for introducing new projects, conducting employee reviews, and other significant issues.
*Demonstrate loyalty to the practice and support its image by participating in morale-boosting and branding efforts, such as holiday parties and charitable events.

Issue #2: Losing track of or getting confused about your own projects due to lack of face-to-face interaction with superiors. Solutions include:

*Clarify project details via email and retain responses for future reference.
*Take notes on conference calls and submit them for review to participants within 24 hours.
*Maintain project details and timelines on Google Docs – you can specify individuals who are allowed to view and/or edit the documents.

Issue #3: Making it obvious that you are “working from home.” Solutions include:

*Maintain a fully-equipped home office with a landline phone with voicemail, a high-speed internet connection, a printer/copier, a fax machine and any other equipment that you have in your office at work. *Your home office should be a duplicate of your work office.
*Maintain a cell phone used only for work.
*Return client and client-related calls immediately, from your home office (never your kitchen phone or personal cell phone as you pick up your children from soccer practice).

Issue #4: Maintaining a productivity level comparable to or exceeding that of in-office employees – and showing it. Solutions include:

*Maintain regular office hours.
*Avoid personal phone calls and interruptions during office hours.
*Stay easily accessible to colleagues via phone and email during work hours.
*Avoid extended “water-cooler” chat on days in the office. Catch up at lunch or with an after-hours get-together.
*Complete all assigned projects on time and under budget.
*Email bulleted to-do lists to direct supervisors at the start of each week; email bulleted lists of accomplishments, measured against to-do lists, at the end of each week.