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Ask HN: How do remote first businesses maintain cultural cohesion?

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Ask HN: How do remote first businesses maintain cultural cohesion?

#1

Post by bognition »

I recently switched to a company that is largely remote first. This is after spending >5 years at a company that was deeply invested in vibrant in person culture.

I learned a few key things and I'm looking to apply them in the new job. First a strong culture is built, it doesn't just happen without intention. Second, people need a way to connect with each other emotionally and talk about non work things. Third, people need common activities to keep them engaged and talking until they've built friendships.

I suspect most of these will translate to a remote-first company. However, the challenge will be getting people to really connect. I've tried VR and zoom based team building events but those aren't great at building new relationships, instead they help maintain existing relationships.

Does anyone know of a company that is doing this well? I'd rather not have to re-invent the wheel if there's good prior art here.

Re: Ask HN: How do remote first businesses maintain cultural cohesion?

#3

Post by bluefirebrand »

theandrewbailey wrote: post #2

If you want to talk about non work things, find people who aren't your co-workers. It's OK to only do work things at work, and to separate personal and professional life.

I'm gonna second this. "Company Culture" is mostly an attempt to get people more invested in the workplace than they should be, trying to replace their workers' social lives and family lives with work instead by making work seem more appealing.

Remote first companies are great precisely because it cuts away all of this bullshit. Work stays work, and "company culture" stays out of your personal time and personal life.

Re: Ask HN: How do remote first businesses maintain cultural cohesion?

#4

Post by bognition »

theandrewbailey wrote: post #2

If you want to talk about non work things, find people who aren't your co-workers. It's OK to only do work things at work, and to separate personal and professional life.

Sure but at the same time, building a baseline relationships with people is important. It builds capital that can be used to diffuse misunderstandings and tense situations.

I'm not looking to replace my family with my co-workers but instead enabling them to get to know each other and connect a bit more.

Re: Ask HN: How do remote first businesses maintain cultural cohesion?

#5

Post by karaterobot »

theandrewbailey wrote: post #2

If you want to talk about non work things, find people who aren't your co-workers. It's OK to only do work things at work, and to separate personal and professional life.

But, it's also okay to be friendly with people you see every day, and whose patience, generosity, insight, and attention you rely to do your work. So, the question is a valid one: how best to strengthen those necessary relationships in a remote environment?

Re: Ask HN: How do remote first businesses maintain cultural cohesion?

#7

Post by pokstad »

GitLab is great at remote first culture. Check out their open source company handbook. Remote first requires proactive process to keep employees engaged and communicating effectively. If you feel isolated and trapped in a silo, good process can pull you out. Also, look for companies where remote strategy emanates from the senior leadership. A CEO that flows down remote strategy will be more effective.

Re: Ask HN: How do remote first businesses maintain cultural cohesion?

#8

Post by androng »

I worked at a remote first health hardware company with 35 employees for 1 year. From my perspective, there was no culture whatsoever. There was one zoom party where the company sent everyone snacks and playing cards. But aside from that, nothing. Only work talk. No side conversations, therefore no friendships.

I think step one is to have the zoom call on for much longer than just the scheduled meeting time, which we never did.

Re: Ask HN: How do remote first businesses maintain cultural cohesion?

#10

Post by bombcar »

theandrewbailey wrote: post #2

If you want to talk about non work things, find people who aren't your co-workers. It's OK to only do work things at work, and to separate personal and professional life.

Yeah, don't try to make your employees be friends and family.

HOWEVER, you can still build the "work friend" camaraderie through some specific things.

For example, get together at least once a year, maybe more often for "in-person sessions" - if you have no main office just rent a room or two from a hotel and have everyone stay on premises, pay for lunch and dinner, etc. Don't force everyone to go to dinner together, but do have one nice staff dinner.

Always be late to staff meetings, give people time to chat before the meeting begins. Up to you if this is explicit or not.

Don't record everything.

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