In this article, we will share 9 effective strategies we have learned and successfully implemented at Bitboundaire, where our team works remotely. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and we may not have all the answers, these steps have significantly impacted our day-to-day operations.
Clear leadership communication
Leaders should explain well-founded decisions clearly and communicate them throughout the company, particularly highlighting the values-based aspects of the decision-making process. Sharing the reasons behind decisions is crucial for bringing clarity to the strategy.
Equality in working conditions
Your organization must strive for equality in working conditions among professionals. When team members are on the factory floor, and others work from home, it can negatively impact those working in the physical workspace. To navigate this transition, clear and transparent communication is essential.
If some team members can choose hybrid work while others do not, leaders should clearly articulate the underlying strategy and outline efforts to address this situation. It is important to acknowledge that specific roles, particularly those involving physical manipulation of machinery or products, may not be adaptable to remote work.
Connection among people
The connection among team members is crucial to maintain a sense of belonging and collective identity and aligning everyone in the same direction. Working from home can be lonely and cause stress, but strengthening these bonds can reduce stress and anxiety and significantly improve teams’ emotional well-being. The strengthened connection also increases motivation and commitment among all members, resulting in a more harmonious and productive work environment.
Medium and long-term planning
In the context of career development within a hybrid work environment, it becomes paramount for leaders and HR to be highly mindful of the potential exclusion of individuals from opportunities. It is crucial to consistently consider the team’s valuable contributions to various activities and projects.
Simultaneously, leaders must maintain transparency regarding the expectations associated with each role, effectively communicating short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals that encompass the team’s collective growth and the advancement of individual professionals.
Alignment with company values and principles
Having people aligned with the purpose and goals of the company is essential to enable delegation and decentralization of tasks and decision-making. When the team understands the “why” behind actions, we create an environment with aligned attitudes.
Although the CEO is the guardian of the company’s culture, all partners and executives should strictly adhere to the organizational principles and values. If individuals are not aligned with these values, they should not be part of the team. Part of this filtering is done during a careful selection process, but only time will reveal if people are truly aligned with the culture.
Daily check-ins with the team
Regardless of your area – engineering, finance, sales, or marketing – it is crucial to hold daily meetings with your team to track project progress and tasks. These quick meetings, lasting 15 to 30 minutes, provide daily follow-up.
In addition to ensuring that goals and objectives are met, they bring people closer together. Since communication plays a key role in organizational culture, having daily conversations and alignments is extremely important for promoting team productivity and strengthening the organization.
Daily feedback and active participation
Feedback serves as positive reinforcement and helps to identify areas for improvement. In the ever-changing landscape of relationships and concepts, feedback must be ongoing rather than limited to specific moments, such as periodic evaluations. Leaders should promptly communicate when they observe behaviors or actions that are incongruent with the company’s principles or culture and deviations from aligned processes.
Moreover, managers must foster a transparent environment that encourages open expression of thoughts and emotions, granting individuals an active voice. Teams that feel their voices are heard are more likely to thrive, fostering innovation and productivity. This establishes a culture of continuous improvement.
Well-established corporate governance
Corporate governance principles are transparency, accountability, fairness, and corporate responsibility.
Efficient corporate governance should not stifle the company but rather provide transparency. It includes clear agreements among partners/shareholders, regular accountability, strategic planning, robust contracts, process-based management, compliance policies, and other governance practices.
Online work tools
Online work tools are key to strengthening the corporate culture in the remote work setting. They enable quick and efficient communication, facilitate remote collaboration, help virtual meetings, offer online training, and allow virtual events. These connections promote a positive corporate culture regardless of the location of employees.
Thriving in the virtual workplace
Building a strong corporate culture in the home office requires effort and commitment from team members. By following the practices mentioned in this article, organizations can promote a solid culture even in virtual environments. These measures can strengthen collective identity, encourage collaboration, and increase employee motivation and emotional well-being, resulting in a harmonious and productive work environment.