More and more, small business owners are allowing and even encouraging employees to work remotely as a way to decrease costs while still maintaining the levels of efficiency and competency expected by their clients. Some remote employees enjoy working from home, but for many, home offices are too distracting, between kids running around and televisions just sitting there, waiting to be watched. For these employees, a "co-working space" is the answer.

A co-working space is a rented office shared by a variety of people working remotely for different organizations. It mimics the environment of a typical office: tables and workstations filled with people typing on their computers, water coolers and break rooms for when they need to take five. Such places allow remote employees to feel more like they're "at work" than they do when working from their bedroom, which in turn enhances their focus. It also allows them to socialize with other people rather than go stir crazy cooped up in their home.

A few tips on using a co-working space for your small business:

• Make sure everyone can keep in touch. The simplest and most efficient way for remote co-workers to connect is to use an instant-messaging program, such as Skype or Google Hangouts. Leave the programs running throughout the day, and your team members can contact each other at a moment's notice, with zero lag.
• Monitor their work. It's a lot easier to goof off if you're not worried about your boss looking over your shoulder. Luckily, there's still a way management can stay in the loop: by using a remote network. This allows employees to connect to your office's computers from any decentralized location, giving them access to any shared files they need, and also giving you the chance to make sure they're staying on task.
• Encourage them to bring headphones. Co-working spaces bring the same distractions as the corporate HQ--people talking all around them. One way to circumvent this is to listen to music on a phone, or even download a white noise app that blocks out the sound around them.

Working with remote employees has a number of benefits. People feel more satisfied with their jobs when they're allowed greater flexibility--and higher job satisfaction leads to greater productivity and retention. Once you get past the how’s of structuring your co-working space, you should find that remote employees are efficient and easy to work with.

There are more than 27 million small businesses in the United States today, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. If you work for such a company, you likely know that employees in small businesses rarely have just one job assignment. The nature of small companies means that everyone has to pitch in and help wherever and whenever needed. Because of this dynamic, your boss may not always have the time he or she would like to teach you about succeeding in your job and in business in general. There are likely a few things that he or she would like you to already know. Below are just three such things to consider:

1. Attitude is everything. How you address your fellow employees and the company's customers sets the tone for the entire business. Do you treat everyone with respect, from the mail person to the CEO? An atmosphere of professionalism and courtesy makes your office or store a place that not only employees want to work in, but that customers will want to frequent. Make sure that your attitude is courteous, on the phone, in your written communications, on social media and in face-to-face meetings.
2. It is okay to ask for help. In a small business where the boss' and manager's time is drawn in many directions, he or she may not always notice when you need assistance in completing a project. Although it may seem like a sign of weakness to ask for help when you're struggling or unsure of how to proceed, your boss or manager will likely welcome your questions. After all, the boss can't be in all places at all times.
3. Numbers count. Although immeasurable things like good customer relations, a healthy social media following and a cache of future prospects are important, numbers are what pay the bills and that includes salaries. The employee who adds to the company's bottom line will always be more valuable that the one with great ideas, but few concrete results.

Working for a small business is different from working in a large corporation. For one thing, the departmental boundaries are less rigid and employees are often called on to wear multiple hats. For another, advancement possibilities are often more available as small businesses grow and expand. Being aware of what your boss expects you to know can help you be prepared to take advantage of these opportunities when they arise.

Small business owners can accomplish much without spending too much money. In fact, marketing in today's connected era doesn't have to be hard or expensive. Even the simplest idea, when planned carefully and executed well, can get you great results.