Maintaining a Strong Company Culture in the Age of Remote Work: Lessons Learned from Adam Nasir, CEO of Smarter Contact
In today's fast-paced business world, having a strong company culture is becoming increasingly important to employees. According to a Glassdoor survey, 56% of employees believe that company culture is more crucial than salary in terms of job satisfaction. But how can a strong company culture be maintained in the age of remote work?
Remote work culture is still a relatively new concept, but it's here to stay. Thanks to the numerous benefits it provides for companies and employees alike. Still remote work remains a new concept for most companies. For many companies the physical shift to remote work is very challenging.
With fast-paced economic impacts of recent events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, many companies had no choice but to either shut down or pivot their operations quickly.
A fast growing Tech Company in Ukraine, Smarter Contact was no exception to this trend. The company was forced to transition to remote work due to the escalation of the Ukrainian War. What was once a new office in Kyiv had to be abandoned for the safety of the team, prompting the adoption of remote work as a necessity rather than a choice.
"Transitioning from an office-based environment to remote work was a challenging experience for us, but it was a necessity. There were a lot of air siren alarms on a day-to-day basis. Our team lived in a constant state of alertness. However, we kept their minds busy by focusing on work and maintaining a high team spirit," says Adam.
While the shift to remote work was crucial for the survival of many businesses, the long-term challenge of maintaining a strong company culture emerges as a critical factor in a company's success.
Not all companies have had a seamless transition to remote work. Reddit, for example, transitioned to remote work but later abandoned it due to a lack of effective coordination on a company-wide level.
This happened due to the challenge of efficient collaboration between individuals working in different locations, as they were not physically present under the same roof, according to the officials.
Nasir explains that building strong relationships and emotional connections between team members was essential for maintaining a successful remote team.
"Creating opportunities for informal communication and team building activities has helped foster a sense of community and boost team morale," says Nasir.
"Everyone was asked to report their weekly progress and their goals for the current week to keep the team updated. In addition, virtual meetings also helped create a more engaging environment."
Beyond remote work, Smarter Contact took it one step further. They also made it a priority to organize an annual all-expenses-paid corporate trip for their employees.
“This keeps the human element to business. When you share an experience outside of the office, it improves everything in an office environment because you have had time to connect with people on a personal level,” explains Adam.
While companies can benefit from cost savings with the adoption of distributed work, it's important not to overlook the value of maintaining a strong company culture. This may involve integrating new tools and investing in team building activities like company retreats or team outings.
As remote work becomes the norm, companies must find ways to maintain a strong company culture to ensure continued success.
"Remote work can be a game-changer, however it requires a purposeful approach. Companies need to prioritize clear communication and create a place where opinions are publicly recognized. A productive workforce is built on a culture of trust and accountability among team members,” advises Adam.
Company Name: Smarter Contact
Contact Name: Adam Nasir
Email: inquiries@smartercontact.com
Company Website: https://smartercontact.com
Social Links: https://www.instagram.com/lifewithnas/
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