Go to a job portal and read some published job descriptions. At the bottom part, there is usually a section about the advantages the company provides, including health insurance, paid leave, and so on. The opportunity to work remotely at least a couple of days every week however, is something becoming increasingly common. Remote work has become a factor in attracting new employees and brand companies as amazing places to work.
Unfortunately, some companies, like Apple prefer to have on-site employees all the time, and hence the number of people who worked from home dropped by 25 percent between 2020 and 2023. This doesn’t mean that remote work culture will fade away since it has strong support among professionals who prefer spending more time with their families and like to emphasize that their effectiveness is higher when working remotely, rather than at the office.
There are several things to consider when preparing for a remote work culture and taking advantage of its benefits. So, let’s uncover some of the most important aspects, to make the transformation process easier and enjoyable both for the business and employees.
Remote Team Building
One reason many companies favour traditional work methods with a strong emphasis on physical presence at the office is the ability to bring people together and ensure a collaborative environment. Teambuilding and peer-to-peer sessions help to strengthen interpersonal relationships, but why not think about some events online?
There are hundreds of digital activities that teammates can take part in together and enjoy some quality time. Since the growth of the gaming industry, there have been plenty of video gaming options to play both individually and with teams.
Beyond traditional recreative activities, like playing card games or spending time in casino facilities, gaming fans today simply sign up for the digital alternatives. Video poker online options are equally immersive and exciting as their traditional counterparts, so people play simulation games, casino games, and video games remotely, often with a group of friends or teammates. This means any company could use digital gaming options to bring their team members together and have a fun time, regardless of the location of each individual.
Communication is Key: The Tools You Need
Think back to the last time you started a new office job. Remember all the introductions, meetings, and brainstorming in hallways? Now imagine that none of that can happen organically with a remote team. Sure, you can hop on a video call, but you’re losing those little moments, the kind that solidifies relationships over time. This is why choosing the right communication tools is significant for remote success.
It goes beyond just Zoom or Slack. To foster a collaborative and connected remote team, you’ll need a suite of tools. Think about project management platforms like Asana or Trello to keep everyone on the same page, track tasks, and set deadlines. These tools are lifesavers to prevent the “Wait, what are we supposed to be doing?” feeling that can derail remote work.
Also consider informal chat platforms like Discord or even an old-school company message board, giving you a virtual watercooler where colleagues can be just that: colleagues, without the pressure of deadlines and deliverables. Finally, don’t underestimate the power of a well-organised wiki or shared drive! This becomes your central repository for how-tos, company policies, and other information, preventing endless emails asking the same basic questions over and over.
Don’t Forget the Human Touch
Even with the best technology in the world, remote work can still feel a bit impersonal. Combat that with deliberate efforts to replicate those office moments that build real bonds between employees. Encourage team members to schedule 15-minute video chats with no work agenda, just casual conversation like they’d have in the break room. These little chats go a long way in building rapport.
You may have heard that the best ideas arise in the breakrooms at lunchtime or around a coffee table. Even in daily conversations, professionals may bring up topics and generate ideas that are just brilliant and would never be born in traditional meeting rooms. And since remote employees have that physical severance from their colleagues, make sure to connect them throughout the day, just for daily catch-ups.
Make a big deal out of birthdays, work anniversaries, and major project wins. Utilise virtual cards, and company-wide announcements, or even send small gift packages to employees to celebrate milestones. Remote work can be isolating, so offer resources for employees to prioritise their mental health. Webinars, subscription discounts on mindfulness apps, or even allotted mental health days in your leave policy show that their wellbeing matters, and that you care about the whole person, not just their productivity.
