Over the past few weeks, people from across the country submitted their ideas, via telustalksbusiness.com, on the places and spaces they think are Canada’s best locations for working outside the office. This week, as part of TELUS’ continuing focus on flexible work, we want to highlight some of the more interesting locations where Canadians have leveraged communications technologies to work remotely. Stay tuned over the next few weeks as we share some of our key findings...

With more and more businesses giving employees the freedom of flexible work options, it comes as no surprise that TELUS was blanketed with submissions from nearly every province. Not only did people describe their favourite places to work remotely but they also sent us stories about how wireless technologies contribute to their business success.  So, while the below profiles will probably make you loathe your windowless office or stuffy cubicle, keep reading and find out how with flexible work you can make working anywhere, anytime a reality.

While we received tons of submissions from people who said their favourite place to work away from the office was their cottage, backyard or patio, it seems the most popular locations for remote working is the cozy and unassuming local coffee shop.  Here, Bianca Bruni, describes how the common coffee shop is the best place for creative thinking:

I find it much easier to think when I am away from my desk.  The whole office environment makes me a bit anxious due to the nature of the business that I work in.  When you are around stressed people it restricts the flow of creative and constructive thoughts and replaces them with quick solutions (which are not necessarily the best solutions).  When I am in an environment that is a bit more relaxed and casual it is much easier to think and be creative. Some of my best ideas have come to me over a cup of tea while sitting in a cozy coffee shop with my laptop or blackberry.  In such a relaxed atmosphere I sometimes will see someone or something that I wouldn't be exposed to in my office environment that triggers a thought pattern which in turn leads to a great solution to an issue I am working on. Never underestimate the power that an environment has on a worker - particularly those who need to be creative!”

With the growing popularity of flexible work options it seems almost everyone has a favourite spot to work that is outside the regular office. Whether it’s the time saved commuting, the reduction in stress or the boost in productivity that the majority of remote workers experience – it seems the benefits of flexible work are hard to ignore. And with the results of a recent TELUS commissioned Harris-Decima survey stating that only 46 per cent of Canadian workplaces currently offer a flexible work program, it is clear that there are many more people out there who have yet to experience the joys that working anywhere, anytime can bring.

Do you have a favourite coffee shop for working remotely? What sets it apart from other coffee shops?