At Tutteo, the company behind Flat and Flat for Education, we understand the unique challenges of remote work. Our team is entirely remote, scattered across the globe. To foster collaboration and tackle focused projects, we gather once a year. This year's meeting was unlike any other! We implemented a completely new approach to our sessions, yielding valuable insights into managing remote teams effectively. These insights, we believe, are crucial for any startup navigating the complexities of remote work environments. In this article, we'll share our learnings to inspire your success in managing your own remote team.
Challenges and Strategies for Managing a 100% Remote Team
Managing a fully remote team has its unique set of challenges, particularly as a company grows. One significant challenge is keeping communication transparent. Pierre, the CEO at Tutteo, points out that "being 100% remote means a lot of written communication, and you can't let it happen just in direct messages." Without open communication channels, important information can get stuck in private conversations, leading to misunderstandings and making it hard for the team to work together smoothly.
Another challenge is ensuring that everyone can easily access the information they need. Pierre emphasizes the importance of "encouraging public discussion as much as possible in clearly dedicated spaces." In a remote setup, missing out on important updates can lower productivity and increase mistakes. It's crucial to make sure that everyone has access to the same information to keep the team well-informed.
To tackle these challenges, Pierre suggests creating an environment where transparency is a priority.
"Only efficient passive communication between all teammates will ensure a productive remote work environment."
Encouraging team members to share updates and discussions in public channels helps keep everyone informed and fosters a sense of inclusivity.
Additionally, setting up specific channels on the communication platform used by your company can streamline information flow and reduce confusion.For instance, using one channel for project management, one for customer support, and another for casual chats can help team members easily find and follow important discussions. With these methods, startups can make their remote work environment more transparent and efficient, boosting both productivity and team unity.
Key Learnings from Past Years
The Role of Diversity in Our Remote Team
The founders have always envisioned Tutteo as a global company with no boundaries, both in terms of our products and the team. This mindset has naturally extended to the hiring process, where we intentionally seek out diverse talents from around the world.
As Pierre Rannou noted, "We were living across the globe from day one. I believe our hiring process embraces the same logic and attracts amazing teammates willing to embrace a global musical journey."
The diversity within our team nurtures our singular approach to addressing the challenges we face while serving our community. Pierre highlighted that "the biggest challenge of being a fully remote multicultural company lies in the ease and efficiency of communication between all team members. We have to find ways to deliver a clear message to each other without falling into the trap of endless meetings." Despite these challenges, our team's shared enthusiasm for music and love for remote work create a cohesive bond.
"Besides being music enthusiasts, the most common point between all the team is the love for remote work. The rigor and freedom it brings is quite a unique mix." - Pierre Rannou, CEO at Tutteo
This blend of passion and dedication to remote work fuels our innovative spirit and helps us navigate the complexities of our global operations.
Based on our nine years of experience as a fully remote company, we've learned that it is essential to consider an individual's enthusiasm and dedication to remote work during the hiring process. Also, diversity within our team brings significant cultural richness. Each member is a genuinely interesting and enjoyable person to engage with. What is more, this diversity offers unique perspectives that enhance our approach to work and problem-solving.
Enhancing Team Cohesion in a Remote Setup
This year, we took a different approach to organizing our company gatherings, driven by the recent hiring of senior positions.
"This cohort of new teammates has a clear understanding of the goal and the vision, but they needed to sit with the rest of the team and get to know them all in a very short period of time." - Pierre Rannou, CEO at Tutteo
To facilitate this, Pierre decided to fill the week of this year's company gathering with challenging, short tasks to be solved in small groups. These intense work sessions were crucial in aligning the team with the company's vision for the second semester.
The results were impressive. "We had amazing output. Some topics we have been struggling with for months were efficiently solved, and everyone is happy with the outcomes," says Pierre. This approach addressed long-standing issues, and there's nothing better than the feeling of overcoming challenges together as a group. This strategy proved effective in creating that experience.
Our CEO was very happy with these results!
Effective Workshop Strategies for Remote Teams
As mentioned, focusing work time on workshops for specific projects was the strategic decision this year. Pierre shares, "While the strategy is very clear to me and the team leads, we need to ensure we set strong grounds of work." To achieve this, team leads anticipated upcoming challenges and shared them, allowing Pierre to structure an agenda around these tasks.
Pierre ensured that each work session had a clear, achievable goal within a three-hour timeframe.
"I explained the importance of the mindset of being done by max three hours of work. That would force the team to go for compromises and get something done."
This approach compelled the team to ensure tangible outcomes and have a proactive work mindset.
Optimizing In-Person Work Time for Remote Teams
When remote teams meet in person, it's essential to have a clear purpose and objectives for the gathering.
"When you meet in person, you should clearly define why you are meeting up and what you intend to achieve during that time." - Pierre Rannou, CEO at Tutteo
This clarity helps attendees stay focused and avoid wasting time on irrelevant issues. Reflecting on the day's achievements and setbacks is equally important.
"By the end of the day, you should reflect on what went well and what didn’t. This will create bonds and work reflexes which are key to succeed."
We have found that this practice improves team dynamics and enhances our remote work strategies, even when we're not physically together.
These sessions spark breakthrough ideas that will help us create an even better experience for our users. We can't wait for the next company gathering – it's always inspiring to collaborate and see what we can achieve together!
Thanks for reading,