I've been working remote for over 5 years now. Some keys are: Have a door on your home office so the family doesn't interrupt. Use IRC, email, IM to maintain communication with your team. Have enough self-discipline to work instead of slack off when you run up against hard problems. Hobbies outside the house so that you don't spend 24 hours a day working.
I personally don't work at coffee shops, I find them too distracting. I love my quiet office where I can concentrate for large blocks of time.
As a company you should be hiring remote developers. It makes it alot easier for you to find good employees when you aren't limiting yourself to only locals, or only those who want to relocate.
I agree with you on coffee shops, they are too distracting. I found my refuge at the local library, it is 5 minutes drive from home, the environment is very respectable, no distractions, openvpn and ssl works perfectly.
I personally don't work at coffee shops, I find them too distracting. I love my quiet office where I can concentrate for large blocks of time.
As a company you should be hiring remote developers. It makes it alot easier for you to find good employees when you aren't limiting yourself to only locals, or only those who want to relocate.