Every company has a culture, which is often expressed through core values unique to a business’s goals and internal processes. These values guide both macro and micro decision-making, from choosing what products to launch to setting the tone in advertising campaigns. They also inform human interactions, such as how colleagues collaborate, foster camaraderie, and celebrate milestones.
Companies’ onboarding processes mainly involve showing new hires how things are done in the workplace, which goes to show that company culture hinges on tradition. Over time, new hires pick up habits and other social cues that allow them to mesh well with among their peers. But if everyone works remotely in the new normal — if there are no physical interactions among colleagues — how can corporate traditions be maintained or passed on? How can teams keep the company culture alive even when everyone is working in different places?
These strategies will keep your team connected despite the distance.
1. Be extra intentional about communicating – When team members don’t work in the same space, they can’t engage in water cooler talk or friendly banter. Unless remote workers intentionally communicate with one another, there will be no point of contact among them. Colleagues must deliberately start and participate in conversations, even if it’s just to check in on each other or to send memes.
2. Use existing channels of communication – If your team has been using an app like Slack for messages and announcements, stick to it. Introducing a new app can be counterintuitive. Everyone is still getting the hang of remote working, and it’s simply not the best time to be overcoming yet another learning curve. Keeping the communication platforms that your team is already using also strengthens culture by maintaining tradition.
3. Replicate what you can – Think about how you can replicate workplace practices in a digital setting. If you used to have weekly team lunches, you can schedule a similar get-together via Zoom. If you used to have daily scrum meetings, continue doing so over conference calls. Not only does mimicking previous workplace traditions strengthen corporate culture, but it also reassures remote workers that while many things have changed, not everything has.
Related article: How to manage remote workers effectively
4. Strengthen company-wide communication – Employees working in isolation need to feel a sense of belongingness. Keep them looped in on company updates, such as what steps the business is taking to ensure employee safety once the workplace reopens. It’s important to huddle together at least once a month, and to have one place — like a Microsoft Teams channel or a web page — where resources can be shared and accessed. Rolling out company newsletters can also keep remote workers informed and updated with company whatabouts.
5. Opt for video calls – Being able to see your teammates’ body language is critical when in-person interactions are off the table. Seeing the nuances in their reaction will help you better perceive how they’re really feeling and inform you on how to react appropriately.
To ensure uninterrupted video calls, partner with a business technology specialist that can keep your entire IT infrastructure optimized and secure at all times. Having the right IT partner by your side is crucial in maintaining tech efficiency and security, especially if you plan to keep remote working a permanent part of your operations.
Keeping your company culture alive with a remote workforce might seem tough, but if you think about it, your culture is merely evolving as all cultures do. With the help of a reliable IT solutions provider like SpectrumWise, your business can remain true to your roots while embracing the winds of change. Schedule a FREE consultation with us today.
