Remote Work at LBMC: How Flexibility Created Opportunity for Summer Galloway
By Summer Galloway
At LBMC, flexibility and employee growth go hand in hand. Senior Manager Summer Galloway shares how remote work transformed both her professional journey and personal life — and how LBMC’s culture made it possible.
Finding Opportunity Through Remote Work
I often get asked if I feel like I’m on an island by myself working remotely, especially since I’ve chosen to live in a pretty remote location as it is. However, remote work has helped shape me in a way that I never thought possible. It has helped me expand my horizon (literally) and enriched my professional skills. Don’t get me wrong, there’s significant value in the time I’ve spent at the office, especially early on in my career, with hands-on learning and relationship building, but nothing compares to having the best of both worlds.
I first hit the remote scene during COVID, when it was forced upon us all. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t a fan of remote work at the time, but things sometimes have a way of growing on you. The pandemic took its toll, so I decided to load my horse up and travel out west to see some country I had never seen. Thanks to modern technology, I found that if I had internet connection, I could work from anywhere. During this time, my horse and I explored 15 states over the course of several months. We spent a good bit of time in Wyoming, found ourselves captivated by the land, and decided that it was the place to plant roots. Since that moment, LBMC has supported me in my remote journey.
How Remote Work Improved My Productivity and Well-Being
Remote work has many benefits for both the employee and employer.
Increased Focus and Flexibility
From an employee perspective, remote work has allowed me to become more engaged in my work. My productivity has increased, as I can log in and focus on what matters in a space that I have designed and can be comfortable in. My morning and evening commute is non-existent, so I can shape my workday to fit my needs. I can start as early or late as I need to and take breaks as my schedule allows for me to be present for my son and take care of my animals.
Better Work-Life Integration
This has been huge for my well-being, and in some ways increased my drive, because it reminds me it’s ok to stop every once in a while during the day and appreciate the little things in life.
Stronger Communication and Collaboration Skills
I also feel that I have learned to utilize technology better, especially since the helpdesk is a ticket away versus down the hall. And believe it or not, it has also helped my soft skills. I have had to learn to collaborate with team members and clients in new ways, requiring more frequent and effective communication across various platforms to accomplish goals.
How LBMC Supports a Remote Workforce
The employer shares many benefits from remote work as well.
Expanding the Talent Pool
One of the greatest benefits I have personally seen LBMC experience is an increased talent pool for recruitment, especially at the experienced hire level. Within the tax department, over the last few years, we have welcomed outright remote hires spanning across the U.S., and some, like me, have transitioned to a telework model over time. This shows the firm’s unwavering commitment to employees’ professional growth and success, irrespective of their location.
Investing in Technology and Collaboration
In addition, the firm has significantly invested in technology, enhanced the ways we use it, and improved the processes around it to provide a better work experience overall. This innovation has helped support our culture by allowing for more meaningful collaboration and deliberate communication. From COVID until now, LBMC has proved the ability to pivot where needed to accommodate changes in the workforce, profession, and world.
The Challenges of Remote Work
Although the benefits of remote work have been significant for me, it hasn’t come without challenges. Probably the biggest one I have encountered is the ability to set boundaries. When your office is at home, it is easy to be available and feel the need to be present.
I have often found myself working much more than I need to at various times of the year, even when it is not necessary or expected. In an effort to combat this, a few things I have done to approach this differently are below.
Removing Constant Notifications
I removed email notifications from my phone. I still have work email on my phone but no longer get notifications or see a red circle with the number of unopened messages. This has really helped with the overwhelming anxiety I would feel seeing notifications continuously pop up while out of office or after hours and allowed me to choose when to look at them and respond.
Creating Intentional Family Time
I am very intentional with family time. Each day I log off before 6 p.m. CST to ensure I can do my evening chores, such as feed animals, water plants, cook dinner for my family, and assist with my son’s nighttime routine. If I need to get back online later or check messages I can, but I try to stay consistent with my daily cutoff.
Managing Availability and Communication
I block important events and time off on my calendar, even if it’s just a small time commitment, to avoid scheduling conflicts. I also utilize out-of-office replies so that clients and/or team members are aware of potential delays.
A Career Built on Flexibility and Trust
At this point in life, I attribute much of my personal and professional success to the ability to work remotely. Remote work has allowed me to stay motivated and kept me professionally challenged. Without the option, I would have never been able to travel west and “find myself.”
What started as a mid-life crisis turned into an opportunity that afforded me a life I always dreamed of. I am thankful to have spent my career at a firm that has a forward-thinking, growth-oriented mindset that is committed to employee success, no matter where they are located.
Content provided by Summer Galloway, Senior Tax Manager, LBMC. Contact her at summer.galloway@lbmc.com.
Summer brings a passion for client service, team collaboration, and embracing innovative ways of working that drive both professional and personal growth. She resides on a ranch in Ten Sleep, WY, with her husband and son.
Pictured is Summer and one of her horses on an adventure in Cloud Peak Wilderness, Big Horn National Forest (Ten Sleep, WY).