Sustainable Consulting
By Barbara White
Green jobs and a sustainable economy are hot topics these days, they are noble ideals, but it’s often difficult to keep costs down, efficiency up, and make our
work lives greener all at once. As a traveling consultant who knows well, the lifestyle can be very resource intensive. However, the daily activities of an IT
consultant lend themselves well to a remote working situation that can be better for the environment, the consultants, the community and your budget. The IT
industry has used remote employees for years, but as we emerge from a recession, it’s good to remember what a “green” and important cost-cutting tool remote work
can be. It’s not for every situation, but I’ve documented my experience below to show how remote consulting affects the client, the consultant, and the
environment.
The Need for Remote Work
Economic pressures have cut the availability of client funds for consultant contracts, and despite the importance of consultants to the projects which would
help achieve the client’s clinical and revenue goals; there is sometimes a need to reduce costs in the short run, especially consultant travel expenses. Most
facilities prefer to have consultants on-site initially, but once the consultant has established good working relationships with the team members, remote work can
be productive for both the client and consultant. I worked alternating weeks onsite and at home, planning to be present on high traffic weeks and minimizing
travel. For instance, I scheduled go-live weeks onsite and holiday weeks at home.
Impact on Client
Cutting on site time in half reduces the client’s expenses dramatically; decreasing airfare, hotel, and per diem costs by half. The only costs that remained
during remote work were some phone calls and the hourly bill rate. Physical office space at client sites is often at a premium. There’s an advantage to the
client when consultants work remotely. Consultants many times can be more productive at home when not distracted by competing conversations in crowded quarters.
The client must have the capability to set up the consultant with remote access. In my case, we used the RSA token for access to the client VPN and used a
client-assigned laptop. These tools can be used whether the consultant was operating from home or hotel, and cause minimal cost to the client.
Since consultants can work with minimal paper and usually don’t require constant face-to-face contact, healthcare IT is ideally positioned for projects that
balance remote work with onsite work. Communication is typically conducted by email, phone, and instant messaging, with conference calls and WebEx for meetings
and presentations. These are the same tools used with a consultant on site, so no additional set up or training time is needed. I experienced some frustration
when I was not onsite with informal gathering and conversations. It is not easy when you can’t stand in someone’s doorway, although I was never more than a phone
call away during business hours.
Impact on Consultant
I have a quiet home office with a door and high-speed internet and cell phone. I am more productive at home with fewer disruptions. For consultants who don’t
have an assigned space at the client site and need to scrounge around for workspace, the home office can be significantly more productive. On the downside, less
informal contact and fewer casual conversations with staff can mean potential loss of information and result in a more focused effort when assisting clients with
solutions immediately. I found this to be an inconvenience but by no means a deal breaker. It is incumbent on me to check the onsite weeks to find out about
informal communication and project developments I hadn’t heard about. I also kept a schedule on the same time zone and schedule as my client, to be available the
same hours as when on site. One of the main advantages for me was the ability to maintain healthy habits. I enjoy cooking my own meals and exercising regularly,
which helps keep stress and anxiety lower. I also had more time at home to maintain healthy relationships with family, friends, and my community. I also work for
a company that honestly believes that the happier consultants will in turn make happier, more satisfied clients.
Impact on Environment/Community
The largest impact to the environment comes from the decreased travel. Fewer segments flown or driven by consultants can lead to less air pollution from jet
and car exhaust. Eating fewer meals out means less packaging from food and bottled beverages; packaging that often ends up in landfills, rather than reused or
recycled. Companies who service consultants (hotels, airlines, and ground transportation) take an economic hit. This may be partially mitigated by clients who
can afford to hire another consultant, especially if they use their substantial savings from their remote consultants! With consultants home more, they can better
contribute to their families and communities. I had a chance to attend community meetings and volunteer my time in ways that would not have been possible, had I
been on the road every week.
Remote work is just one sustainable practice which can “meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs."(WECD,
1987)i Sustainability is the capacity to maintain wellbeing, which in turn depends on the wellbeing of the natural world and the responsible use of natural
resources. Working remotely is a sensible way to lower costs, maximize efficiencies and make our work lives greener. For all of us, it can mean cost savings
combined with safety, resource conservation, and greater satisfaction and capacity to endure in our work and private lives.
For more information on “green” consulting or how VCS can help you email us at vcs@getvitalized.com or call us at
(610) 444.1233. Also, check out our website at www.getvitalized.com.
ihttp://www.arch.wsu.edu/09%20publications/sustain/defnsust.htm