Building relationships with working nomads is the best way to make your company thrive.
The number of working nomads has increased tenfold in the past year. Virtual jobs are more popular than ever, and most employees couldn’t be happier. Working from home eliminates costly commutes and reduces stress. It also builds a better work-life balance. But as more companies test the waters of this remote business model, many wonder how to create a stronger company culture.
The Hype Around Company Culture
Company culture is crucial to all businesses. Not only does it create a shared set of values and ideals, but it’s also the glue that helps retain workers. After all, everyone wants to find a job they love. And the more welcomed and included an employee feels at work, the more likely they are to stick around.
When employees work from home, it can be more difficult to create a solid company culture. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not possible. These simple steps will help solidify the relationships with your virtual employees and build a culture that lasts:
- Encourage Open Communication
Company culture starts with communication. The most successful virtual companies know how to communicate with all of their workers—no matter their location. Workers want to know someone is there for them at all times. There are many ways you can speak to your employees without being in the same room. An email in the morning, for example, might be all it takes to set clear goals for the day.
Managers should try to check in with workers throughout the day. Scheduling regular one-on-one video or phone call meetings is another way to stay in touch. Workers should always feel comfortable reaching out if they need help. The more transparent a company keeps its communication, the more connected the entire workforce feels.
- Allow for Employee Feedback
Behind every great company is a team of hardworking employees. These are the workers willing to go the extra mile to help the business thrive. Many of them have real ideas on how to make things run smoother or how to solve a specific problem. Companies that focus on creating culture encourage feedback from all employees.
In typical office environments, it’s easy for workers to step into their manager’s office to make a suggestion or two. But in the remote world, companies need to put tools into place to allow employee feedback. Sending out surveys or simply asking for recommendations helps build culture.
- Even the Playing Field
If you never see a worker in person, it’s easy to forget about them. Too many remote employees feel left out by their bosses, which makes them less loyal to the brand. In order to retain great talent, it’s crucial to treat everyone the same. After all, just because someone works from home doesn’t make them any less valuable. Their contributions are equally as important as the next worker.
Make it a point to keep remote workers in the loop. If the company experiences a major milestone, send out a celebratory message to everyone. Acknowledge the accomplishments of remote workers and share their successes with all those on staff. Make sure everyone feels appreciated. Keeping a level playing field reduces workplace stress. It also produces more engaged, productive employees.
- Provide Opportunities for Growth
The majority of people enjoy going to work. It provides them with a sense of fulfillment. However, that doesn’t mean they won’t try to test the waters somewhere else. After all, no one wants to get stuck in a dead-end job. Creating a company culture that provides remote workers with opportunities to grow is key.
When workers feel loyal to a company, they’re likely to stick around. Jobs that offer the most opportunities tend to retain about 87 percent of their workforce. Offering additional training to your remote staff is one of the easiest ways to ensure you don’t lose your best workers. Team-building activities and events are other ways to support your team without being in the same room.
Setting the Bar High for Remote Company Culture
While virtual offices and remote workers are new to many companies, it’s just another typical day here at Digital Market Media. We take pride in fostering work-at-home jobs for our hardworking staff. Our goal is to create a strong company culture that makes you look forward to working each day.
Our virtual call center agents are the backbone of our business model at Digital Market Media. It’s our mission to provide every employee with the tools and support they need to build a rewarding career. By fostering company culture around every turn, we’ve been able to attract and retain the best workers. Connect with us online to browse our open jobs and join our team of working nomads.
