Remote work culture: what it is and why it matters

Remote work culture has become a buzzword in the past years, due to our reliance on it during the pandemic. But, even after 3 years, it is still something that every company really needs to improve upon. In this blog we talk about remote work culture, what it is, why it matters, and how to build it.

What exactly is remote work culture?

The way we define work culture at Toucan is “the genuine feelings of connection, togetherness, and understanding among co-workers due to the intersection of their work and personal lives.”

Moving to the remote aspect of it, remote work culture is a strong sense of connection forged over technology - such as video calls, games, asynchronous messaging, gifts, etc. This sense of belonging is undeterred by time differences, language barriers, etc.

More than a buzzword

Now that we have a clear definition in mind of what remote work culture is, let’s understand why it matters so much. The truth is that since the pandemic “remote work culture” has become a buzzword that companies and organizations use, oftentimes without actually putting that philosophy into practice.

But, if a company or community neglects its work culture, there will be consequences. Having a healthy environment to work in is key for employee and company success. It boosts employees’ satisfaction with their work and reduces feelings of loneliness, thus making people more productive. If you haven’t started it yet, there’s never a better time to start than the present.

Companies that were already working on a remote basis before the pandemic say that culture doesn’t come from a physical office. The benefits of working remotely are scientifically proven, and for most companies, life-changing for both employers and employees.

Why does it matter so much?

When working remotely, loneliness seems to be the biggest and most common struggle. But if everybody contributes to building a positive company culture, it will result in true meaningful connections. To make people feel less lonely, we recommend regular, casual check-ins with teammates that you relate to or work closely together with. And make sure that on every team meeting or work meeting you leave some time for people to chat about life and non-work related topics.

A solid remote work culture can help every company succeed. If people feel good and connected, have a sense of belonging, and have a sense of purpose, chances are they might be more active, productive, proactive, and motivated to do their job. Remote work culture is just like in-person work culture in that way.

To work properly and achieve the expected results, colleagues need to communicate and care for one another. That’s why a strong remote work culture tends to be intertwined with team deliverability. A safe remote working environment might also contribute to everyone being open to speaking their minds, sharing ideas, and socializing.

If you want to learn more about why socializing is so important for remote teams and how to make the most out of it, check out this article that we published recently.

How do I build a remote work culture inside my own company?

The first thing you need to do is understand why your employees love to work at your company, what their shared values and interests are, and what they prioritize in terms of a healthy and safe workplace. The next step is to make sure that you include all those values in each part of your business.

The most difficult part of building a remote work culture is that most conversations tend to be work-related. Calls among colleagues tend to be scheduled or focused on specific deliverables. To promote camaraderie, companies must be more inventive and intentional when it comes to socializing and bonding. There’s a lot that you can do, such as holding regular meetings, retreats, offsites, virtual themed parties, birthday parties for your team, etc. There are also a ton of community-centric tools that you can use for fun activities.

There’s so much we can do to make work days better for everyone. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all type of strategy, but there are tons of ways you can make it work for you.

Remember, one way that you can bring your team together and guarantee a good time is by using Toucan. Learn more about different Toucan plans and find the one that works for you here. If you would like to talk with us and ask questions about which one is right for you, you can always book a call with us using this calendar. Or if you would like, send us an email at contact@toucan.events.