The ability to work virtually is becoming a more common trend in the work world today. But how do you manage virtual employees and what tools do you need to do it? This month’s Blue Paper and podcast from promotional products retailer 4imprint, Make a change: How to manage the virtual office with style, acts as a short “how-to” handbook on supervising a virtual team and supervising them with confidence.

Almost 20 percent of working Americans were able to work away from the office in 2010. The virtual trend has only grown in popularity over the years as more and more companies are beginning to take note and take part. Instead of outfitting their team with fax machines and printers, managers are sending team members home with only laptops, internet connection and access to secure cloud-based servers. The work world is indeed changing.

“The concept of working virtually has taken off with the birth of so many new technologies,” says Greg Ebel, vice president of sales and marketing for 4imprint. “This Blue Paper takes you through the questions to ask if you’re thinking about working virtually and some insight on how to make it possible.”

The Blue Paper and corresponding podcast are more than an introduction to the virtual office. They take you through key process changes to consider and provide a better understanding on how to implement appropriate steps to bring the virtual office to life. Here is a preview:

• A handful of case studies that gave the virtual office a go
• A perspective that challenges office productivity
• Why it’s important to set, and enforce, your terms and expectations
• How to communicate effectively within a virtual environment
• An overview of the most user-friendly chat and video platforms on the Web
• And much more!

To read this Blue Paper, or download the podcast, visit www.4imprint.com/bluepapers.

About 4imprint Blue Papers

4imprint Blue Papers are in-depth, how-to articles, distributed to 4imprint customers to help their organizations succeed. Accessible at www.4imprint.com/bluepapers, Blue Papers have covered popular, cutting-edge topics such as podcasting, online social media, search engine optimization (SEO) and experiential marketing.

About 4imprint

4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, serving more than 100,000 businesses with promotional items throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland. 4imprint offers corporate gifts, personalized gifts, custom t-shirts, promotional pens, travel mugs, tote bags, water bottles, Post-it® Notes, custom calendars, custom shirts and much more. For additional information, visit www.4imprint.com.