Remote Working for Small Businesses in South Africa: Why It Rocks (When You’re Not Being a Control Freak)
Let’s be honest, remote work isn’t just another pandemic buzzword. It’s also not just for big corporates with huge budgets, beanbag chairs, and free lattes. For small businesses in South Africa, it can be a downright game-changer. So, buckle in as I show you why remote working for small businesses South Africa style works like magic when you trust people. And also why it might suck horribly if you don’t.
Why Remote Working Works for Small Businesses
1. Trust is your secret weapon
Micromanagement? That’s so 2015. Trust your team, or in your case, maybe your one extra pair of hands, to self-regulate. Autonomy is like caffeine for creativity and speed. Give someone ownership and they’ll often work harder than if you were breathing down their neck.
2. Tools are your co-pilot
Use tools like Asana to keep tasks from falling into the black hole of forgotten emails. It’s not about spying, it’s about giving everyone a clear, shared view of what’s happening so you’re not playing “where did that task go?” every Friday.
3. Weekly meetings with actual human chat
Have weekly online meetings to align on priorities, but don’t just dive straight into work mode. Ask about their week. Share a laugh. Talk about something non-work related. Remote work can get lonely if you’re not an introvert, so a little human connection goes a long way. You’re not just responsible for their corporate wellbeing, caring about their mental wellbeing makes them a better, happier employee too.
4. Respect cultural differences and after-hours
If you’re working across provinces or countries, remember there can be different cultural working rhythms. More importantly, respect after-hours boundaries. Don’t send messages at 10pm unless it’s life-or-death urgent. That’s just good manners and good business.
5. Respect the noise factor
When people work from home, there’s going to be some background noise. Leaf blowers, dogs, a toddler yelling about dinosaurs… it’s part of the deal. If they’re on customer calls, invest in a cheap noise-cancelling headset that works brilliantly. You can find great ones on Takealot.
The Tiny Company That Made It Work
I work with a two-person company. The owner was hesitant about remote work and the employee was all for it. They decided to give it a try. Now? She’s delivering faster than ever, sometimes works outside her required hours, and is constantly solving problems with creative ideas.
The boss gave her trust. She took ownership. And now the business runs smoother, faster, and happier than before. No surveillance. No stress. Just results.
Do’s & Don’ts: The Cheat-Sheet
Do:
Trust your people, they might blow your expectations out of the water.
Use Asana or similar to keep things clear and on track.
Have weekly virtual catch-ups with time for personal chat and mental health check-ins.
Respect cultural differences and after-hours boundaries.
Accept that background noise happens and equip them to handle it.
Don’t:
Micromanage every click.
Record your employees or use time-tracking software. It’s insulting. If you want to know how to do something better, just ask them.
Skip human connection.
Send after-hours messages unless it’s urgent.
Assume trust will happen overnight, it’s a two-way street.
So, Are You Going to Try It or Keep Warming That Office Chair?
Remote working for small businesses in South Africa works because it’s built on trust, respect, and a little bit of common sense. You don’t need 50 employees or a Silicon Valley zip code to make it happen. You just need to stop clutching at control like it’s your last cup of coffee and start giving your people the freedom to do their thing.
And speaking of doing your thing, if you want someone to help your business look better, sound sharper, and be way more memorable online, that’s where I come in.
Book a free call, and let’s make your brand the one everyone talks about.
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