When you’re a full time web worker you work extra-hard to make sure that members of your team can quickly and easily get in touch with you. Making those connections to share ideas, distribute and monitor tasks, and otherwise hobnob amidst your peers is crucial to getting the job done. But if you are not just a contractor, but a real employee, it can be just as important to expand your online social circle to your colleagues outside your immediate work group. How can you transcend the miles to reach out to people with whom you don’t necessarily work every day?

1. Expand instant messaging to all staff, not just the web worker elite.

This is good for two reasons: first, you expand the number of people you can casually discuss things with. More importantly, when useful and fun tools are rolled out to more people it reduces the resentment that can arise when some folks telecommute and others just can’t.

2. Make the most of your onsite time.

When you do make it into the office, schedule some walk-around-and-visit-time throughout your time in country. Or take on the role of Julie the Cruise Director and schedule some group lunches or a happy hour and invite the whole office.

Read more at WebWorkerDaily.