The COVID-19 pandemic has had an enormous impact on the entire world, including the work environment. Companies and organizations from across the globe have to adjust to the new normal and learn how to operate effectively and efficiently remotely. Are you wondering how to create a positive work culture online? Discover 5 tips that will help you boost your team’s performance!
Table of contents
- Remote work challenges
- 5 tips for building a positive work culture while working remotely
- The takeaway
Remote work challenges
While some people love remote work and consider it a life-saver, others find it challenging and mentally draining. That’s why companies and organizations should focus on refining their operational processes and communication to overcome common remote work challenges such as:
- Communication problems – when employees aren’t in the same physical space, it can be difficult to keep everyone on the same page and build a companionate team.
- Employee isolation – specialists working remotely may feel isolated and disconnected from their colleagues and the company as a whole. Moreover, home office employees may feel like they are always working and never have a break, which can eventually lead to burnout.
- Decreased productivity – some employees may have a hard time staying focused and motivated when working from home. Also, not having a clear work-life boundary can lead to working longer hours, which can be detrimental to one’s health and wellbeing.
- New hire onboarding challenges – it can be difficult to onboard new hires and get them up to speed with company culture and values when they aren’t in the office.
Although remote work poses certain challenges, there are a few tips that will help you find an answer to the question on how to create a positive work culture.
5 tips for building a positive work culture while working remotely
1. Define the objectives and standards of your positive work culture
Operational processes and work culture may differ from company to company. That’s why it’s so important to outline your values, attitudes, and beliefs. Don’t expect that employees will read your mind.
Prepare a presentation during which you’ll tell about the company’s objectives, communication standards, and best practices. This will allow new hires to easily adapt to the working environment and avoid many misunderstandings that might be stressful.
The fact that your employees work remotely doesn’t mean that you aren’t a team anymore. Make sure specialists don’t abandon the positive work culture and keep it alive.
2. Encourage employees to follow you in the footsteps
If you’re the head of the company, it’s your responsibility to set an example.
How to create a positive work culture? Be the first one to follow the company’s standards and rules. Initiate communication, start video calls, and congratulate employees on their successes. Appreciate their work and find out about their problems to solve them before they escalate.
Do your best to keep the team spirit alive. Only then the employees will be willing to follow you.
3. Use tools that streamline communication and help to maintain a positive work culture
There are dozens of communication tools on the market that can help you connect with your employees and maintain a positive work culture.
Choose the ones that will be the most helpful in your case. For example, you can use:
- Slack for quick conversations
- Google Hangouts or Zoom for video calls
- Trello or Asana for project management
- GitHub for code collaboration
4. Use corporate portals to pass on information and celebrate important events
If you want your employees to always be aware of the latest news and events, use corporate portals. This is a great way to pass on the information and involve people in the company’s life.
Celebrate employees’ birthdays, professional achievements, and other important events, even when working remotely. This will make the specialists feel appreciated and motivated to contribute to the company’s success.
5. Make sure employees have the right working conditions
Working remotely has its perks, but it can also lead to problems if employees don’t have the right working conditions.
Some people may have difficulty concentrating if they work in a noisy environment or if they don’t have a comfortable chair. As a result, their productivity, and motivation can decrease, which can have a negative impact on the company’s work culture and performance.
To avoid this, make sure employees have everything they need to work comfortably. This may include remote work stipends, a quiet place to work, a comfortable chair, and the right tools and software.
The takeaway
Knowing how to create a positive work culture while working remotely will help you build a successful and effective workplace.
To ensure that your specialists perform well, provide them with necessary tools and working conditions. Remember that work from home can be challenging, and it’s impossible to stay effective if one’s basic needs aren’t met.