Building a Strong Culture with Your Remote Teams: Best Practices for Effective Collaboration

Why Should I Invest in Good Work Culture?

According to a survey conducted by LinkedIn, 70% of professionals in the US believe that a good workplace culture is very important to them when considering a new job opportunity. This trend has been steadily growing over the years, with younger generations placing even greater emphasis on culture fit. In fact, another study by Glassdoor found that 77% of adults under the age of 35 believe that company culture is just as important as salary and benefits when choosing an employer.

As the workforce becomes more diverse and decentralized, with an increasing number of employees working remotely, building and maintaining a strong workplace culture has become more important than ever. Companies that prioritize culture and invest in creating a positive work environment are more likely to attract and retain top talent and achieve long-term success.

That being said, cultivating a strong culture with your remote teams is crucial for effective collaboration. Here are five best practices, and tips, on how you can achieve just that:

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1. Clear Communication

Clear communication is essential for building a strong culture with your remote team. It can help you ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals. Here are some practical tips to improve communication:

• Use the right communication tools. Choose the communication tools that work best for your team's needs. For example, use video conferencing for face-to-face conversations and instant messaging for quick updates.
• Establish communication guidelines. Create guidelines that outline how and when to use different communication channels, which can help prevent miscommunication and confusion.
• Schedule regular check-ins. Schedule regular check-ins with your team to ensure that everyone is up to date and on track.

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2. Collaboration and Teamwork

Remote work can sometimes lead to isolation and hinder collaboration. However, it doesn't have to be that way. Here are some practical tips to improve collaboration and teamwork:

• Foster a sense of belonging. Create opportunities for your remote team to connect and build relationships, such as virtual team-building activities.
• Encourage collaboration. Use collaboration tools that allow your team to work together in real-time, such as virtual whiteboards or collaborative documents.
• Celebrate successes. Recognize your team's achievements and celebrate them together as a team. This can help foster a sense of pride and collaboration.

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💡 Be public when it comes to your team or team members’ successes: as much as possible, make a dedicated post for them on LinkedIn or social media; or congratulate them in the team group chat. And if possible, give regular incentives to teams who perform beyond what is required of them. This gives them a sense of value and empowerment!

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3. Clear Goals and Expectations

Clear goals and expectations can help your remote team stay on track and work towards the same objectives. Here are some practical tips to set clear goals and expectations:

• Communicate expectations clearly. Create, show, and regularly review your company-wide Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) for the year and per quarter. Outline your expectations for your team's performance, including deadlines, quality, and standards.
• Use SMART goals and track their progress. Set goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. But planning is not enough: ensure their timely execution by creating systems and easy-to-update trackers for each major goal and the tasks that lead up to it.

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💡 For project management systems, Google Sheets or Notion can be powerhouses of productivity and goal-tracking. Make the most out of automation for computations and filters, and customization to make navigation obvious.

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4. Trust and Accountability

Building trust and accountability is crucial for effective collaboration with your remote team. Here are some practical tips to build trust and accountability:

• Provide regular feedback. Provide regular feedback on your team's performance, including constructive criticism and positive feedback.
• Encourage transparency. Encourage your team to be transparent about their progress and any challenges they're facing.
• Set clear boundaries. Set clear boundaries between work and personal life, which can help prevent burnout and improve work-life balance.

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5. Continuous Learning and Improvement

Continuous learning and improvement can help your remote team stay motivated and engaged. Here are some practical tips to foster continuous learning and improvement:

• Provide training and development opportunities. Invest in key members by sending them to seminars, workshops, and classes for free.
• Encourage experimentation. Encourage your team to experiment with new ideas and approaches to work.
• Foster a culture of learning. Celebrate growing from mistakes and encouraging curiosity and exploration.

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