Insights and Studies, Team Building

Building Company Culture with Remote Employees

Building Company Culture with Remote Employees

All_activities_1-red_(2)Having a solid company culture has multiple benefits such as increased employee engagement, strengthened brand image, and higher quality goal alignment. Developing this type of environment can be difficult when a company’s employees aren’t in one physical office location, but there are best practices for doing just that. Here are some fresh ideas for building company culture with remote employees.

 

 

1. Embrace the Remoteness

Some managers believe that the best way to build up culture with remote employees is by simulating the kind of interactions that office workers have through conference tools like Skype. However, by its definition simulation is  “an act of pretending.” Instead of forcing the imitation of an office life, especially in the onboarding process, managers of remote teams should embrace the remote nature of their employees’ work. For example, instead of playing the 2 Truths and 1 Lie “icebreaker” game, remote employees could take a photo from inside their work vehicle and take turns at guessing which car belongs to which employee. This kind of staff exercise celebrates the remoteness of their jobs and can be just as engaging and fun as in-person icebreaker games.

2. Share Relevant Content

Building company culture is as much about employee engagement as it is about the reinforcement of the umbrella vision or goals set by high level leaders. Some managers like to bring employees together (in an office or online conference) to discuss the progress of the team, believing this the most effective way to reinforce goals. However, 17% of employees from this study reported that they would rather watch paint dry than attend a team meeting. This will be especially true for a team of employees that have characteristics that excel with independent work. A more organic way to spread company goals through a remote team is by sharing relevant content, such as articles or blogs that directly correspond with company visions. Some leaders even encourage their team to share animated Gifs that relate to the specific aspects of the company or remote work. The element of humor can go a long way towards understanding and reinforcing company culture.

3. Involve Work in Your Culture

Despite all the advice on the “perks” organizations should offer to attract new employees, this Zapier article points out that the most healthy company cultures have one important thing in common: their employees love their work. Employees are unlikely to stick around a job just for a foosball table or happy hour on Thursday nights. Involving remote employees in the decisions that affect their core activities can also be a way to build up a meaningful company culture. One relevant example for field teams is the decision on how best to communicate with other team members. Involve your team in this decision and let them weigh in on whether they prefer email, phone, or even more specialized communication through a mobile app. Even small decisions like this can place identity on the organization as a whole.

Download the 2024 Outlook Report

As the retail landscape continues to evolve, it’s more important than ever to stay on top of the latest trends and challenges. Download our report today to see how more than 160+ CG executives and field leaders are strategizing for 2024.

Erin P. Friar

Erin Friar is a Content Marketing Journalist Intern at Repsly, Inc. and is completing a Journalism degree at Suffolk University. She is a master of grammar and is passionate about creating fresh content to help foster efficiency and overall success in small businesses.

Latest Posts

1 Min Read
Infographic: Optimizing In-Store Retail Strategies in 2024

Insights and Studies

Infographic: Optimizing In-Store Retail Strategies in 2024

Luciana Marzilli Lord

In our recently unveiled 2024 Outlook Report, a significant shift in the priorities of CPG and Retail Services leaders has come to light. Notably, a whopping 90% of those with access to budget..

3 Min Read
Enhancing Retail Execution: The Power of Streamlined Data

Merchandising

Enhancing Retail Execution: The Power of Streamlined Data

Luciana Marzilli Lord

In the era of data-driven decision-making, we understand the significant impact that organized data can have on your retail execution strategies. Yet, the pains associated with disorganized and..

3 Min Read
Why are CPGs Doubling Down on Tech Investments This Year? Let’s Get Into It.

Insights and Studies

Why are CPGs Doubling Down on Tech Investments This Year? Let’s Get Into It.

Cait Will

Our team at Repsly is excited to announce the launch of our highly anticipated 2024 Retail Outlook Report. At Repsly, our mission is to help CPG brands thrive in the retail landscape, and our annual..