Engaging a Remote Workforce: Our Strategies for Building a Connected and Motivated Team

As an e-commerce start-up, we understand that remote work is no longer a temporary solution, but a mainstay for modern work environments. As we continue to embrace a flexible model, we, like many businesses, face the challenge of engaging our fully remote workers to feel as connected to their colleagues and the brand as those in the office. Engagement isn’t about monitoring employee output; it’s about fostering the same sense of belonging, motivation, and camaraderie despite the perceived obstacle of physical distance.

Communication, Communication, Communication

The cornerstone of any successful team is effective communication. In the absence of face-to-face interaction, there are several ways to establish clear and open lines of communication. For our teams, this includes regular updates from leadership, clear expectations, scheduled check-ins, and open channels through Google Chat.?

“There is rarely a time when someone is unreachable,” notes Lacey Russell, our Brand Ambassador. “Having been one of our first out-of-province team members, I was nervous about how the communication would be at first but I have never felt like I was not a part of a team or conversation, even from the other side of the country. The management team and my colleagues do everything they can to make everyone feel included and a part of the team whether you are local or remote.”

Our teams have dedicated chats for different issues and topics where team members are encouraged to ask questions and help each other. These forums also act as channels to send GIFs, share pet pictures, or make “water-cooler” talk, so that the team can build rapport and a positive work culture.?

Virtual Team Building

Building and maintaining a cohesive team culture requires intentional effort. We strive to create opportunities for our team members to connect on a personal level and establish shared values and goals. This year, our Customer Experience department created Kindness Day; a day dedicated to showing appreciation for our team members and connecting with one another.

Lea-Jeanne, one of our Team Leads, describes the event: “Kindness Day was a special day dedicated to celebrating our team. We shared a playlist, encouraged everyone to support and uplift one another, and ended the day with a game night and certificates for team members. It was a wonderful way to foster a strong, inclusive culture.”

Connecting In Person

Most of our team works in the hybrid model, working 2-3 days at our Toronto office. The office not only offers opportunities to interact with our product catalogue in our showroom but also becomes a central venue for employee engagement events.?

It’s important to us that the same offline opportunities are provided to our remote workers. We’ve found occasions to bring our remote workers to the office, whether it’s immersive training days, key events (like our recent acquisition), or our holiday party.?

“I was so pleasantly surprised with my first visit to the office! The vibe and atmosphere were exactly as I imagined and hoped it would be,” says Lacey. “The team was so welcoming and it felt like I already knew everyone for a long time. I was surprised at how big the office actually was!”

We’re fortunate to leverage these opportunities to meet and connect in person and share special moments. Our colleagues know that if they ever want to visit, they don’t need permission. They are always welcome.?

Believing In Remote Work

We understand that some businesses assume their remote workforce won’t be as passionate or engaged as other team members. However, that is simply not true. While we deeply value in-person collaboration and office culture, we know that when set up for success, remote workers can bring just as much value to the workplace as their in-person counterparts.?

Our Manager of Customer Experience, Louisa Saura, recommends establishing expectations for engagement right off the bat. “I encourage all my new team members to ask questions. I want them to feel comfortable and know they won’t be judged. More senior team members recognise this as part of the onboarding process and are intentional about being active in all chats so our newer team members know our Google Spaces are places for collaboration and communication, and they are encouraged to engage in a similar manner.”?

“We also have an open door policy: just because you’re behind the screen doesn’t mean you aren’t there or don’t matter,” she continues. “We live in an era where it’s easy to work remotely, and it’s not odd to have online colleagues or work environments.”

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If you’re interested in joining our team, keep an eye out for job postings by following us on LinkedIn.?