From Dashboard Doggie to the Driver’s Seat

In August, I shared my perspective on the “Dashboard Doggie” pheonomeon that exists when executives meet to discuss what Telework can do for them, agree on the benefits of a remote working plan by nodding continuously but yet…do nothing.

Congratulations to Loudoun County, Virginia, a county government leader that continues to surpass the “dashboard doggie” model and power the driver’s seat. Yesterday, we announced that the Telework Consortium has been selected by Loudoun County as their provider of choice for collaborative services and remote working implementation solutions. This is not only big news for the Telework Consortium, but it is huge news for anyone living in Loudoun County, especially those individuals involved in county government affiars.

The county is the fastest growing in Virginia, and with that rapid growth comes traffic congestion. Some of the main arteries though Loudoun are impassable at key times during the day, making commutes to the 92+ county government offices unberable. This gridlock greatly affects the work-life balance of a government worker who oftentimes would be far better served by staying in their homes, working remotely rather than losing hours of personal and work time each week to the constant grind of traffic.

I believe Loudoun County will serve as a catalyst to the other areas of Metropolitan Washington — and other municipalities throughout the country — and encourage other county execs to stop nodding their heads, get off the dashboard, and into the driver’s seat of their organization’s teleworking strategies.

Rita Mace Walston
General Manager, The Telework Consortium