The global economic outlook is looking increasingly bleak; but local business costs seem to be defying gravity – rentals, utilities and transporatation costs all still appear to be heading north.  Now is the time to seriously consider running your company partially, or even fully, online.

BusinessWeek’s enligtening special report (To Expand Your Busieness, Go Home) examines how some small businesses have successfully cut expenses and boosted productivity by moving their operations online.

“Work is something you do, not some place you go to” – this phrase from Home Warriors, an Economist.com article, is something I cannot agree with more.

Many smart businesses have long realized the tremendous boost in productivity and efficiency that can be achieved by embracing telecommuting. It is estimated that more than a quarter of the workforce in developed economies hold jobs that can easily be done remotely.

However, effective telecommuting requires more than just e-mail and a broadband connection. A robust and well designed collaboration platform is essential if dispersed individuals are to function as an effective team. Other potential downsides include telecommuters’ alienation due to lack of face-to-face contact with fellow workers. 

The good news is that there are a number of innovative collaboration platforms and telepresence solutions emerging that promise to make the telecommuting experience more enjoyable and effective. Home Warriors provides a glimpse into some of these innovations.