Remote work: pros, cons, and success strategies

Not long ago, remote work was a perk for a lucky few. Now it’s more than just normal to work from home—it’s expected. In fact, a Gallup survey shows that nearly 60% of workers say they’d like to work remotely as much as possible post-COVID. For small teams especially, the benefits are big. But so are the tradeoffs.

Remote work unlocks flexibility, lowers overhead, and broadens your talent pool. It also requires a whole new level of clarity, trust, and connection—especially when the office is a laptop in the corner of someone’s living room.

If your team is figuring out how to thrive without a shared space, this is for you. Let’s break down the real remote work pros and cons—and how teams can handle them in ways that actually work.

The pros of remote work

Remote work benefits go far beyond staying in comfy clothes throughout most of the workday (though that is a nice perk), unlocking huge advantages for small teams.

Flexible schedules and autonomy

Many remote teams are free to work when they work their best. Whether it’s early morning focus or late-night breakthroughs, they’re free to align their work hours with their energy. That autonomy reduces burnout, supports deep work, and helps people stay in their roles longer. Asynchronous video tools can keep these teams connected when they work different schedules in various time zones. We call that a win.

Try this: Instead of scheduling a meeting to ask for a project update, record a quick video message on Marco Polo that says, “No rush—but can you give me a status check on this when you have a sec?” Now, you’ve given someone time back and shown you trust their process.

No communte means more bandwidth

The average U.S. commute is nearly an hour a day. Skip the drive, and people regain time and energy for deep work, collaboration, and even rest. In the time workers would normally spend fighting traffic, they can exercise, catch some extra Zs, or even get a head start on work instead—which can lead to better health, sharper thinking, and higher quality output. It’s good for them and good for you.

Productivity gains for some roles

 77% of workers say they’re more productive when working remotely. Companies with remote workers, such as American Express, Best Buy, and Dow Chemical, back that up with performance gains of between 35% and 43%. Why? Fewer interruptions, more control, less noise. People can stay focused and do better work, faster. 

One federal pilot program found that remote workdays had 12% higher productivity than in-office workdays because employees could sustain their focus without the distractions of traditional office settings.

Access to broader talent

When you don’t have to hire locally, your team possibilities explode, and suddenly, people with different lifestyles, family obligations, or accessibility needs are able to join—and stay on—your team. For example, a consultant in Portland can partner with a designer in Nashville to serve clients in Miami. 

One team in the Marco Polo business community, Apartment Life, is spread across several time zones, so they’ve been able to hire for fit, not zip code, while keeping their team close. No matter the schedule or location, they can see faces, hear tone, and stay aligned.

Cost savings

Without an office space to pay for, Global Workplace Analytics estimates that businesses can save up to $11,000 annually per half-time remote worker. For small teams, that margin matters. Those savings could go to better benefits, tools, stipends, or raises.

One hybrid company found that each employee resignation cost them $20,000 in recruitment and training. Remote work options also boost retention rates, which saves on expensive recruiting processes, lengthy training periods, and productivity losses. 

The cons of remote work

Remote work isn't a flawless model, but its issues don’t have to hold you back from enjoying the benefits. Let’s talk through them.

Less spontaneous collaboration

Social isolation is consistently reported as one of the biggest remote work cons. Around 15% of remote workers say loneliness is their primary struggle. 

When teams work remotely, those quick, casual, organic moments that grow relationships are less common. No bumping into someone in the kitchen or “got a sec?” in the hallway. 

Connection takes effort. Without it, people can feel isolated or unseen, especially if they’re more introverted or in a different time zone.

What helps: Intentional communication

• Create async spaces to talk about not work, like a “Weekend recap” Polo on Monday morning.

• Share a small win, a life update, or a funny story as they happen. You’ll be surprised how much it builds a connection over time.

Harder to read between the lines

A sentence in Slack can sound wildly different in your head than in theirs. That’s where a video messaging app like Marco Polo shines. It lets you explain things with expression, voice, and intention. People feel more seen, and misunderstandings happen less often.

90% of workplace misunderstandings start via email.

Video adds context, nuance, and tone that help people feel seen and understood. Plus, when teams are spread across time zones, video messaging platforms like Marco Polo let teammates connect on their own schedules. Recent third-party research has shown that small teams prioritizing the use of Marco Polo have actually eliminated upwards of 128 emails per month.

Try this: Instead of writing a long email that might come off cold or unclear, record a one-minute Polo to say exactly what you mean, with warmth and clarity.

Distractions at home

Without the right systems in place, 80% of remote workers lose work hours to kids, pets, and partners.
The craziness of home life is among the top remote work challenges. From deliveries and kids to noisy neighbors and laundry piles, home life can compete with deep work. The home environment may never be perfect, but here’s how small teams are seeing success:

• Block your best brain hours. Schedule deep work when your environment is quiet—early mornings, nap time, or whenever you focus best. 

• Use a “do not disturb” signal. Headphones, sticky notes, or even a shared household calendar can help communicate when you're off-limits.

• Preempt interruptions with a Slack or text. If you’ll miss a sync due to kid pickup or construction, send a message saying, “Hey! Can’t make our call today—here’s where I’m at and a few things I need your eyes on.”

• Set a predictable check-in time. Pick a daily window for async catch-ups where everyone shares when it works for them, and no one gets pulled out of focus mode.

• Normalize the noise. If chaos breaks loose mid-recording, roll with it: “Ignore the barking—Pepper has strong feelings about Q3 priorities. Anyway, here’s my quick update…”

Less visibility

Without casual check-ins or visual cues, it’s harder for leaders to gauge their team’s happiness, well-being, and working relations. That’s why remote teams should focus on regular asynchronous check-ins and open conversations. 

What helps: Intentional communication

• Send Polos that ask, “How’s your week feeling?” Even a simple “How are you?” goes a long way,

• Make space for updates that aren’t just task status.

• Lead with vulnerability. If you share what’s hard, others will too.

Security and tech hiccups

Working from home means using various devices and networks that aren’t designed for the security needs of a business. When mixed with work systems, personal devices create vulnerabilities that IT departments have a harder time monitoring.

A secure and reliable tech stack helps remote teams stay safe, productive, and confident, even when IT isn’t down the hall. Here are a few quick tips on how to keep your device secure from anywhere:

1. Stick to approved company tools: Only use company-approved apps and tools for communication and file sharing.
2. Use a strong password and multi-factor authentication: Educate team members on how to protect their accounts with strong passwords and an extra layer of security.
3. Be aware of phishing scams: Make sure employees know how to recognize suspicious emails or links that ask for sensitive information.
4. Know who to contact: Have a clear idea of who to turn to in case of a security or technical issue. 

Setting up for remote work success

Remote work takes more than a good Wi-Fi connection. When you take advantage of remote work pros and develop smart habits as we’ve outlined below, you can build a strong culture, maintain clarity, and work well together wherever you are.

Build a strong remote culture

Team trust and camaraderie don’t just happen, so it’s important to create space for “non-work” talk. But instead of forced team bonding or confining culture to one day of the week, normalize micro-moments of connection in everyday communication. 

Here are some ideas for your team to try:

• Kick off each week with a “Monday Mood” video message on Marco Polo, where everyone shares a personal win or emoji that sums up their vibe.

• Send lightweight “Two-Minute Tuesday” updates, where people can check in asynchronously on each other in their own time.

• Have team members send a “Friday Fails & Lessons” video messages on Marco Polo to normalize mistakes, laugh at the week, and close things out on a fun note.

Marco Polo makes it easy to create these micro-moments without killing calendar space.

Choose the right tools

The best remote tools are the ones your team can count on day in and day out. Smooth video calls and simple file sharing often matter more than fancy features. But even the most reliable platform won’t deliver results without effective training. Look for tools that are easy to learn, easy to teach, and easy to use so you and your team can get the most out of them from day one. 

And instead of forcing all communication through one platform, use various tools for specific purposes, making sure everyone is on the same page about what those are. Agreeing on when to use what prevents burnout, reduces meeting fatigue, and keeps communication flowing.

Here’s how smart remote teams are aligning message and medium:

• Need to give feedback or explain a nuance? → Use Marco Polo. Seeing your face and hearing your voice makes tone land better than a wall of text.

• Got a quick “heads up” or FYI? → Drop it in Slack.

• Need to track evolving work? → Use a shared doc or Notion to collaborate in one place.

• Kicking off a new initiative? → Send a video message on Marco Polo instead of scheduling a kickoff call. You can even share a link to the Polo in channels like Slack.

Focus on results, not hours

The green dot isn’t proof of productivity. Be sure to celebrate results, not the fastest replies to messages. Shift the culture from “always on” to “always aligned” by setting clear expectations and deliverables, then giving people space to do their work. 

As an example, your team can use shared dashboards or project tools like Asana or Trello to track progress. Mark goals as “Done,” “In Progress,” or “Need Eyes”—not based on time spent, but work completed.

Trust builds performance—not surveillance.

Support wellness and boundaries

Remote workers can struggle to separate work from home when the office doubles as their living room. Your team shouldn’t have to earn the right to unplug. Normalize time off, respect boundaries, and make rest part of your culture:

• Offer a “Mental Health Hour” opt-out. If someone’s Zoomed out, they can skip the live call, recharge, and reply via Polo when ready.

• Leaders can model boundaries by turning off notifications after hours and not replying to messages sent late at night (even if they’re drafted).

• Offer wellness perks, like access to virtual fitness classes or mental health resources, especially when in-person support isn’t available. 

• One software development company prioritizes the health of its remote employees by offering counseling services and flexible scheduling.

Boundaries work best when they’re built in.

Final thoughts

For small teams, remote work can be a powerful perk. You get access to better talent, lower overhead, and the chance to build a tight-knit, high-performing culture from anywhere. But successful remote work doesn’t happen by accident. It takes the right mix of tools, clear expectations, and a shared focus on outcomes. 

When you understand the pros and cons of remote working for employers, you can build a remote setup that supports your people, scales with your goals, and holds up for the long haul.

Key takeaways

• Remote flexibility is expected: Most professionals won’t consider 100% in-office roles.

• Connection and communication need intention: Prioritize regular touchpoints and clear expectations.

• Outcomes matter more than activity: Measure success by results instead of screen time.

• Reliable tech beats complex features: Choose tools that support daily work across devices and time zones.