field and learn about your competition – what their products are, which ones are successful, and why. Instead of reading a novel, I study computer manuals.”
• Know others in your field. “Whenever I don’t know the answer to a question, I know someone who does. I first worked for IBM, where I made plenty of contacts in the technical field, and I’ve also made many contacts through networking.”
• Be willing to traJanet Green works for Data Resource Group, an IBM business partner. In her position as storage product manager, she makes decisions about highly technical matters – and those decisions must be made quickly and accurately. Besides that, Green travels around the country putting on presentations and marketing products.

As an added challenge, Green does not work at company headquarters; while Data Resource Group is located in Florida, Green lives in Texas. “Working 2,000 miles away from the corporate office can be tough,” Green says. “My job is hands-on, and it would be easier if company executives could just run into my office and ask me a question.”

Whether one works in a satellite office by choice – as Green does – or because of company mandates, it can be difficult to have a successful career while working away from your headquarters. Green, however, offers tips to overcome these challenges.

• Realize that you’ll work hard. “Probably,” Green says, “much harder than if you were working at company headquarters.”
• Make yourself available. “Because of the national scope of my job, I have customers from three time zones. That may mean phone calls at 7:30 a.m. or at 7:30 p.m. But, I need to make myself available to my customers.” Besides that, Green must stay in close contact with her employers. “I always let everyone know where I am and how to reach me. I leave messages on voice mail, and I send email, as well.”
• Learn your stuff. “You must make yourself indispensable to your company. People call me because they know I can answer almost any question.”
• Continue your education. “This is a never-ending battle. Attend classes in your field and learn about your competition – what their products are, which ones are successful, and why. Instead of reading a novel, I study computer manuals.”
• Know others in your field. “Whenever I don’t know the answer to a question, I know someone who does. I first worked for IBM, where I made plenty of contacts in the technical field, and I’ve also made many contacts through networking.”
• Be willing to trav

cated in Florida, Green lives in Texas. “Working 2,000 miles away from the corporate office can be tough,” Green says. “My job is hands-on, and it would be easier if company executives could just run into my office and ask me a question.”

Whether one works in a satellite office by choice – as Green does – or because of company mandates, it can be difficult to have a successful career while working away from your headquarters. Green, however, offers tips to overcome these challenges.

• Realize that you’ll work hard. “Probably,” Green says, “much harder than if you were working at company headquarters.”
• Make yourself available. “Because of the national scope of my job, I have customers from three time zones. That may mean phone calls at 7:30 a.m. or at 7:30 p.m. But, I need to make myself available to my customers.” Besides that, Green must stay in close contact with her employers. “I always let everyone know where I am and how to reach me. I leave messages on voice mail, and I send email, as well.”
• Learn your stuff. “You must make yourself indispensable to your company. People call me because they know I can answer almost any question.”
• Continue your education. “This is a never-ending battle. Attend classes in your field and learn about your competition – what their products are, which ones are successful, and why. Instead of reading a novel, I study computer manuals.”
• Know others in your field. “Whenever I don’t know the answer to a question, I know someone who does. I first worked for IBM, where I made plenty of contacts in the technical field, and I’ve also made many contacts through networking.”
• Be willing to tra

adquarters. Green, however, offers tips to overcome these challenges.

• Realize that you’ll work hard. “Probably,” Green says, “much harder than if you were working at company headquarters.”
• Make yourself available. “Because of the national scope of my job, I have customers from three time zones. That may mean phone calls at 7:30 a.m. or at 7:30 p.m. But, I need to make myself available to my customers.” Besides that, Green must stay in close contact with her employers. “I always let everyone know where I am and how to reach me. I leave messages on voice mail, and I send email, as well.”
• Learn your stuff. “You must make yourself indispensable to your company. People call me because they know I can answer almost any question.”
• Continue your education. “This is a never-ending battle. Attend classes in your field and learn about your competition – what their products are, which ones are successful, and why. Instead of reading a novel, I study computer manuals.”
• Know others in your field. “Whenever I don’t know the answer to a question, I know someone who does. I first worked for IBM, where I made plenty of contacts in the technical field, and I’ve also made many contacts through networking.”
• Be willing to tra

” Besides that, Green must stay in close contact with her employers. “I always let everyone know where I am and how to reach me. I leave messages on voice mail, and I send email, as well.”
• Learn your stuff. “You must make yourself indispensable to your company. People call me because they know I can answer almost any question.”
• Continue your education. “This is a never-ending battle. Attend classes in your field and learn about your competition – what their products are, which ones are successful, and why. Instead of reading a novel, I study computer manuals.”
• Know others in your field. “Whenever I don’t know the answer to a question, I know someone who does. I first worked for IBM, where I made plenty of contacts in the technical field, and I’ve also made many contacts through networking.”
• Be willing to trafield and learn about your competition – what their products are, which ones are successful, and why. Instead of reading a novel, I study computer manuals.”
• Know others in your field. “Whenever I don’t know the answer to a question, I know someone who does. I first worked for IBM, where I made plenty of contacts in the technical field, and I’ve also made many contacts through networking.”
• Be willing to travel. “My company asked me to move to Florida,” Green admits, “but I told them that I’m a Texan and so I belong in Texas. But, I’m willing to hop on a plane and be at a conference anywhere, any time – including Sundays.”
• Sharpen your communication skills. “Good verbal skills are vital when you’re so far away,” she says, “and it’s important to get information in writing, so that there is no chance of miscommunication.”
• Be prepared. “I keep cheat sheets with me. So, even when I’m on the road, someone can call me, and I can help.”

Green says that working successfully from a satellite office becomes easier with time. “As company executives realize how valuable you are to the company,” she says, “they’ll be more willing to work with you. Sure it’s still tough sometimes, but if you love your job, it’s worth all the challenges.”