If someone searches for you on the Web and comes up empty-handed, do you exist? (ComputerWorld)

Interesting question. If you work from your home office, or you just work from home, some people will get the feeling you either don't do any actual work, or you don't even exist.

"He's doing nicely for himself - just sleeping late and watching tv for his salary"

is a much heard complaint towards homeworkers.

But is it true ? Of course not. So how do you make sure everyone knows you exist ? Here's a few pointers.

• Visibility. If you work on projects, make sure you email regularly to your superiors with status updates and such.
• If you notice problems that have been hidden, make the necessary calls, send emails and such.
• People will typically remember you talked about it first - you are working after all (!!)
• Get a voip line *just for the job*.
• It's very cheap to get one and you are taken seriously as you can claim this to be the office line. In my case it actually is.
• Go into the office every now an then to work for a few hours.
• You will notice that you don't get much work done in a traditional office, but the social aspect is really important. Chat with your collegues over a coffee.

As you can see, it isn't hard to do. So now go for it. For homeworking is the future. Why drive for over an hour instead of combining work an private life much better ??