Building Culture
Team synergy and employee experience matters whether your work environment is in-person, hybrid or remote. Building synergy and fostering a strong company culture is critical in any labor market, and especially where skills are in demand, and supply is shrinking. Focusing on opportunities for enhanced communications, personal/professional, training and development and recognition are sure to keep you as a front runner as an employer of choice. While there may be unique challenges in work environments where employees are fully on-site employees compared to those with distributed/hybrid or remote employees, here are a few recommendations to share to support innovation and collaboration.
1. Clear Communication and Transparency: Effectively communicating is the cornerstone of synergy in any workplace setting. This includes establishing clear channels of communication and ensuring transparency across all teams, regardless of location or work arrangement. This includes but is not limited to regular updates on company initiatives, project statuses, and any changes in policies or procedures. In today’s technology enabled work environment, there are various ways and tools to accomplish this connectivity such as town hall meetings, video conferencing, instant messaging platforms, and email, helping to ensure everyone feels connected and informed.
2. Embrace Flexibility and Inclusivity: Recognize and embrace the different needs and preferences of your employees working in diverse settings. If your business needs allow, offer flexibility in work schedules and accommodate lifestyles and situations. Working to create an inclusive environment where all employees, regardless of their work location, feel valued and heard will really make a difference. Incorporating inclusive practices in meetings, decision-making processes, and team-building activities helps foster a sense of belonging and cohesion among team members.
3. Cultivate Shared Vision and Values: Build a strong company culture centered around a shared vision and core values that resonates with employees across teams and locations. Clearly articulating your company’s mission, goals, and expectations, and ensuring alignment with individual and team objectives will enhance your employees’ experience. Encourage employees to incorporate these values in their work and interactions, fostering a sense of unity and purpose across the organization.
4. Facilitate Cross-Functional Collaboration: Break down silos and encourage collaboration between teams and departments, regardless of their physical location. Leverage technology to facilitate virtual meetings, brainstorming sessions, and project collaborations. Encourage cross-functional teams to work together on initiatives, promoting knowledge sharing and innovation. By fostering a culture of collaboration, employees can leverage each other’s strengths and expertise to achieve your business goals.
5. Invest in Team Building and Relationship Building: Prioritize opportunities for team building and relationship building among employees. Organize in-person or virtual team-building activities, social events, and informal gatherings to foster camaraderie and strengthen interpersonal connections. Encourage managers to schedule regular one-on-one check-ins with team members to provide support, feedback, and mentorship.
6. Provide Training and Support: Equip managers and employees with the necessary skills and resources to thrive. Offer training programs on work best practices, collaboration tools, and effective communication techniques. Provide ongoing support and guidance to help employees navigate the challenges of balancing remote and on-site work responsibilities.
7. Celebrate Successes and Milestones: Acknowledge and celebrate achievements, both big and small, across the organization. Recognize individual and team contributions, regardless of where employees are located. Whether it’s through company-wide newsletters, virtual shout-outs or reward programs, show appreciation for employees’ hard work and dedication.
When in doubt, communicate, collaborate, offer flexibility and be inclusive. Building synergy and creating a strong company culture in any work environment requires intentional effort. By embracing the unique strengths of both on-site and remote workers and prioritizing relationship building and support, organizations can cultivate a cohesive and thriving workplace culture that drives success and employee satisfaction.