Avoiding pitfalls of teleworking

Start by determining whether your employees are actually able to work remotely. Isolation, motivation and removal from the corporate environment can be inhibitors to effective remote officing. Self-starters comfortable with remote work are ideal telework candidates.

You also have to sense how your company's team spirit, camaraderie and trust will handle removing some people from the office environment. Telework must be embraced, or at least accepted, by all who interact with the teleworker.

Teleworking will help you determine if your managers are confident leaders. Teleworking scenarios can lead to identity crises and managerial challenges for those managers who feel they must be able to see their staff.

The mantra of the effective tele-manager: Manage by results.