How to Promote a Company Culture When Working Remotely

The onboarding process for remote employees must be designed to clarify roles, understand the company culture, and integrate socially into the new environment while taking responsibility for their areas of expertise. It is important to provide online resources, including links to relevant information throughout the organization, and allow the new hires to follow their own pace.

Foundation of a Healthy Remote Culture

Start with the basics of team morale and a friendly atmosphere. Ensure that your teammates are fairly compensated, have clear objectives, can communicate openly with management and their colleagues, and have all the resources they need. They should also feel secure and supported. Check these points before proceeding to the next step.

Essential Tools for Remote Work

The journey towards a healthy remote culture begins with the right tools. From shared workspaces to messaging and videoconferencing software, the choice of tools directly impacts the success of remote workers. Offer a wide range of platforms such as Asana, Trello, and Slack. These not only help with task management but also facilitate communication.

Promoting a Daily Culture of Communication

Managerial communication is vital. Schedule daily meetings, whether in groups or individually, using video conferencing. Encourage managers to regularly check in with remote employees about their progress, any challenges they face, and their overall feelings. This ensures that everyone is on the same page and helps to maintain a positive and supportive environment.

Face-to-Face Interaction and Communication Norms

Videoconferencing is a must. Seeing and hearing colleagues allows you to pick up subtle cues such as voice inflection and body language, which is often lost in text-based communication. While email and text messaging can sometimes send the wrong message by virtue of the wording, videoconferencing helps to build trust and rapport.

Regularly Share Your Company Values

Reinforce your company’s values at every opportunity. This can be through weekly meetings, employee recognition programs, and peer-to-peer recognition systems. Make sure these are well-integrated into the daily life of your remote employees. Keep it simple and engaging to avoid overwhelming them with too much information.

Create a Platform for Regular Communication

Establish a monthly newsletter to promote successes, address potential issues, and reinforce company values and goals. Use surveys to gather and share employee feedback. Additionally, set up an online forum where employees can exchange ideas and seek help from each other. This encourages a sense of community and collaboration.

Ensure Proper Equipment and Workspace

Check in regularly with each worker to ensure they have the necessary hardware, software, and a suitable work environment. Not everyone might have the luxury of setting up a dedicated workspace. Offer support for those who might be working in less-than-ideal conditions, such as a spare bedroom or a crowded kitchen.

Building Camaraderie and Community

Use tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams to encourage employees to share and discuss mutual interests. Organize virtual lunch breaks, coffee meetings, or online game nights. These activities can help employees feel less isolated and foster a sense of community. It’s important to make everyone feel part of the team.

Engage Everyone in the Process

Incorporate everyone in the creation and reinforcement of your remote work culture. This is a team effort and everyone’s input is valuable. Encourage employees to contribute ideas and suggestions for improving the culture. This not only enhances engagement but also makes the team stronger.

By prioritizing these steps, you can build a vibrant and thriving remote company culture that fosters collaboration, innovation, and employee satisfaction. Remember, the key is to be consistent and maintain open lines of communication at all times.