Is there a perfect way to build a successful remote team? No. Are there things you can try doing to achieve the best results while working remotely? Definitely!
With tons of freshly founded startups, it seems that creating a thriving decentralized company is simple as pie. As much as we’d like to confirm that, we can’t. Switching to a remote way of thinking, finding true talents from all over the world, sustaining a healthy work-life balance, and scaling your business at the same time is hard. The good news is, it’s not impossible.
We failed a lot, but we learned from those mistakes and managed to create an outstanding remote culture for our startup, Zima Media. And if you find a few minutes to read this article, you’ll get to know how to do it, too.
Remote-First Thinking
As they say, first things first. Before deciding to build a remote team, make sure you have a solid base for it. Remember, working remotely also means thinking remotely.
We’ve met quite a few companies that created a great remote team but forgot to build a strong startup culture. Some founded their decentralized company but kept on working as if they’re an on-premise team.
The thing is, creating a vibrant remote-startup culture requires playing by different rules.
You should always remember that your employees are scattered around the world. So, you can’t just knock on their door to tell them what to do or ask something. Plus, due to the different time zones, you can’t call a last-minute meeting to gather everyone together. Thus, the internal organization is much different from that of a typical company.
To become a remote-first company, you should apply these tactics:
- All important information has to be recorded or written down so that each team member could consume it at any given time (for example, we use Loom for that purpose.)
- Managers have to work hard to keep all teams connected and in good relationships.
- Make everyone feel comfortable expressing their opinions and sharing ideas.
Company culture is your startup’s mindset. Something that keeps each member of your team excited, engaged, and extra positive. And, as a founder, it’s your job to assure it.
5 Ways to Build a Successful Remote Team
As we mentioned earlier, there’s no perfect formula for success when it comes to building a great startup culture. However, we’ve gathered a few vital principles that we followed to create a happy remote culture, and we’re glad to share them with you.
Identify Your Company’s Core Values
Never expect your employees to understand the purpose of their work if you don’t know it yourself. Make sure that you clearly state your goals and emphasize the values your company follows. Only then you’ll have each member of your team on the same page.
Give people a goal, and then they’ll do everything possible to achieve it.
Hire People Who Love What They Do
You might think that this is too obvious to mention, but you’d be surprised to learn how many companies make the mistake of hiring unmotivated employees. Sometimes, it’s not the years of experience that prove someone’s love for work, but merely the desire to learn more and enjoy it.
If you want to have these kinds of people on your team, then don’t neglect this piece of advice and hire those who are genuinely passionate about what they do.
Be Flexible
Again, remote companies work by different rules and principles. Flexibility is an integral part of the rich remote-startup culture. Of course, no one says that there should be no rules at all. However, technology has evolved so much that it’s hard to imagine that the way people work will stay the same.
Now, it’s all about having flexible working hours and putting emphasis on the quality of work completed, and not the amount of time spent on it.
Don’t Be Afraid to Overcommunicate
What’s the secret of our team being all cheerful, easy-going, and motivated? We communicate. A lot. Sometimes, too much, but it has never hurt anybody.
Remember that live communication has a different effect than messages. That’s why you shouldn’t hesitate to shoot another text to your employee or co-worker, it’ll only make them feel more connected and involved.
We wish a good morning to each other every day, no matter the time zone. We have video calls, share our ideas, tell about our weekend plans, exchange memes, and jokes. Overall, we have fun while working, and everyone loves it.
Care About Your Team and Invest in It
People care if you care. That’s a fact. If you value your employees, don’t keep it to yourself, tell them about it.
Believe us; no one has ever complained about being praised. According to Gallup’s study on the State of the Global Workplace, only 13 percent of employees are engaged at work. Ensure that your employees are among them. People love getting feedback on their work. Not only it helps them stay motivated but also improve their skills.
Also, regularly ask your team members whether they enjoy their work conditions, and ask for suggestions on how to make it even better. If you invest enough in each of your employees, it won’t take long to see the results.
How to Hire Remotely?
By 2027, freelance/remote workers are believed to be the majority of the US workforce. Hiring the right people at the right time is one of the keys to successfully managing your remote company. However, finding exceptional employees out of the endless pool of those who dream to work remotely is pretty hard.
This process isn’t a piece of cake for us either, but we make sure to choose our employees precisely. Here’re a few tips you can follow when hiring your next remote employee:
- Make sure the person is ready to be a part of a remote team and has the right expectations.
- Choose someone truly interested to work on your project and grow together with the company.
- Offer a competitive salary, but ensure that money isn’t the only thing that person is chasing.
Of course, every company is different, and you have to tailor your screening process accordingly. Just remember to be honest, clearly state your goals and expectations, and show that you care. Then, you’ll be more likely to find employees that are an exact match for your startup.
The Bottom Line
If launching a remote-startup business is hard, sustaining a vibrant remote culture is even harder. However, switching to remote-first thinking is the way to do it right from the start. Ensure your team is always motivated and ready to work hard on reaching the set goals.
Happy employees lead to great company culture and fruitful results. Learn to be flexible, show your team you care, communicate a lot, and invest in each employee. It’s the secret to building a remote-startup culture you’ve always dreamt of.
