While One Sleeps, Another Works: My Year-End Reflection on KodeKloud's Async Success

As we approach the end of the year, I find myself reflecting on how much the world has changed in the last decade. It's truly incredible to see how far we've come, not just in technology but in the way we work and connect as professionals.

Two years ago, I joined KodeKloud , an incredible company where I’ve been fortunate to work as a DevOps and Cloud Engineer. When I first started, I couldn’t have imagined how well the fully remote culture would work for me. Having spent almost six years at IFS R&D as a Senior Software Engineer – Full Stack, where a hybrid or on-site setup was the norm, the idea of a fully remote workplace felt unfamiliar, even a bit daunting.

Fast forward to today, I can confidently say that asynchronous communication and the remote-first approach at KodeKloud have redefined my perspective on productivity and work-life balance. Over the past two years, I’ve worked extensively with tools like Loom and Slack, which have become the backbone of our communication strategy. This shift from synchronous to asynchronous communication has transformed the way I approach work.

In many companies, the story is different. From what I hear from friends and peers in the industry, most organizations still rely heavily on synchronous meetings. It's not uncommon to hear about engineers being bogged down by a packed day of meetings—team discussions, leadership updates, client calls—leaving them with no time to write even a single line of code. It’s a constant cycle: you're in the middle of a complex task, deep in the zone, only to be interrupted by a “mandatory” meeting where you’re expected to shift your focus entirely. For many in the IT field, this is the norm, and productivity suffers as a result.

At KodeKloud, things are different. We’ve embraced asynchronous communication wholeheartedly, and it’s been a game-changer. Our team spans the globe, working across multiple time zones, from east to west.

This means that while one part of the team sleeps, the other part works—and yet, the work flows seamlessly. How? Through the power of Loom videos and Slack messages.

Instead of rushing to join meetings or stopping work mid-task, we record Loom videos to share updates, ideas, and feedback. These videos allow every team member to access the information at their convenience, enabling us to work more effectively. Similarly, Slack becomes the bridge that keeps us connected without the pressure of an immediate response. The result? Saved time, reduced stress, and maximized efficiency.

It’s remarkable how this approach has improved not only our productivity but also our focus and work quality. Asynchronous communication fosters autonomy and flexibility, letting each team member work at their peak hours without feeling overwhelmed by constant interruptions.

For me, this has been one of the most refreshing changes in my career. I’m genuinely excited to see more companies experimenting with fully remote, async-first cultures, as they realize the benefits it brings to both individuals and teams. The traditional, meeting-heavy workday might still dominate much of the IT world, but I firmly believe that asynchronous communication is the way forward for organizations aiming to thrive in the digital age.

At KodeKloud, we’ve truly nailed this approach, and I couldn’t be more proud to be part of a team that works so efficiently while respecting everyone’s time and energy.

If you’re interested, I’ve written an article about KodeKloud’s unique way of working fully remote. You can check it out here: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/kodeklouds-unconventional-culture-breath-fresh-air-jinarajadasa/.

Here’s to embracing the future of work and making it better, one step at a time.