How to Build An Incredible Company Culture in a Hybrid or Remote Workspace

Posted by ET Group on April 19, 2023

Key Points

In the era of remote work, company culture remains just as important as ever before. In fact, we believe the relevance of company culture has increased due to the unique challenges posed by remote work.

The custom hybrid workplace solutions we create at ET Group are meant to combat the potential challenges hybrid and remote workers face, so we know all about how to use technology to enhance company culture, even—and perhaps especially—at a distance. Read on to learn about tips, tricks, and tools you can use to give your company culture a boost no matter where your people are working from.

Happy remote worker participating actively in their company culture.

Via Adobe Stock.

What Does Company Culture Mean in the Era of Remote Work?

Company culture refers to the shared values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that define an organization. However, in remote work environments, it can be difficult to maintain a sense of community and shared purpose among employees who don’t always (or ever) physically work in the same location. This can lead to feelings of isolation, disconnection, and disengagement.

To address these challenges, your organization should focus on building a strong and inclusive culture that supports remote work instead of resisting it, since remote work has many benefits (and, let’s be honest, isn’t going anywhere soon). By doing so, you can create a sense of belonging and shared purpose among your remote and hybrid employees, leading to increased engagement, productivity, and job satisfaction.

Unique Challenges Faced by Hybrid & Remote Teams

The relevance of company culture in the era of remote work has not changed, but it has become more challenging to maintain. Challenges for hybrid and remote teams commonly include:

Office workers collaborating happily with remote worker.

Via Adobe Stock.

Tips for Increasing Employee Engagement & Culture Adoption

Companies that are able to adapt and create a strong culture in a remote work environment are better positioned to attract and retain top talent, drive innovation, and achieve their goals. Here are some ways to make sure your hybrid work environment supports and promotes your company culture:

Smiling employees seen through device being mounted in office to facilitate hybrid work.

Via Adobe Stock.

Frequently Asked Questions about Company Culture

What role do leaders play in shaping company culture in remote or hybrid work environments?

As a leader, you set the tone for your organization. You’re responsible for modeling the behavior you want and communicating your company’s values and expectations. It’s also up to you to make sure your employees have the tools and training they need to work together effectively—this could involve anything from upgrading your audiovisual equipment to completely redesigning your workspace to accommodate hybrid and remote employees.

How should I design a hybrid workspace to support my company culture?

Each workplace has unique needs, but one of the most important principles in creating an effective hybrid workspace is human-centered design. This design philosophy places the needs and experiences of people at the center of the design process, and views technology and infrastructure as resources intended to serve their needs.

In the context of hybrid work environments, human-centred design involves designing workspaces, policies, and technologies that meet the needs of remote and in-person workers. This approach will help you create a more inclusive and equitable workplace that supports employee well-being, productivity, and engagement.

How can I adapt my company culture to accommodate different work styles and preferences?

The more flexibility you provide, the more it will empower your hybrid and remote workers. Spaces and policies that allow for different work schedules are an important part of this process, as is providing training and resources to help your employees adapt to working remotely or in hybrid settings.

We also recommend adapting your work environment to accommodate new styles of working—like self-management, where the individual responsibilities of each team member are prioritized and shared commitments drive productivity instead of top-down mandates. Learn more about self-management here.

How can I make sure my remote and in-person employees are equally included and engaged in my company culture?

The key to this is to ensure that all employees, regardless of where they’re working from, have equal access to resources, information, and opportunities for connection. This may require you to invest in audiovisual technology that makes it easier for off-site employees to participate in meetings and team-building exercises.

How can I keep my company culture relevant as my business grows?

Monitoring your company culture helps ensure that it’s aligned with your business goals and the needs of your team members. Here are some ways to keep tabs on your company culture as your business develops:

Keeping your company culture relevant in a hybrid or remote work environment may also require you to update the technology your team uses to stay connected. Consider engaging a technology consultant to identify the areas where your communications technology needs improvement.

 


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