In today’s fast-paced world, adapting to change is critical for businesses to thrive. 

Prior to the pandemic, we were fortunate to already have made the shift to a more flexible working culture; offering a more hybrid working pattern (deciding where we worked) teamed with flexibility in working hours (when we worked).

Our technology also supported a more hybrid working environment, and so when we were all told to ‘stay at home to save lives’, the transition to fully remote working was arguably far quicker and smoother compared to other businesses.

We made the decision to downsize our Macclesfield office relatively quickly to a smaller location with capacity for six desks. Teaming this with a wider business decision to utilise co-working spaces across the UK, it has enabled staff to have more choice and flexibility around when and where they work.

Smooth Sailing…?

Transitioning to a fully remote working culture hasn’t been without challenges. Maintaining effective communication and collaboration is challenging at any time but particularly when you are working remotely.

Our tools have aided collaboration; with the use of GSuite; including Instant Messaging,  Google Rooms and Google Meet. Our Project Management Tool ClickUp has provided transparency for the wider team around work and where our time is spent.

Ultimately, what we’ve found is regardless of all the tools we have in place, there is still nothing better than a good face-to-face get together, which is why we always encourage team meet-ups in co-working spaces and ask that everyone attends our quarterly offsites.

Wellbeing and Boundaries…..

Remote working has blurred the boundaries between work and personal life and the ability to adapt to a remote working environment takes some people much longer than others. We’ve also found along the journey that remote working sometimes isn’t for everyone. The team is encouraged to understand their limits, needs for breaks and downtime and, importantly, how they can thrive personally and foster their own sense of belonging by better understanding themselves, how they work best and ultimately what they need. 

What we see when individuals have the balance right is that it fosters personal growth, enhances job satisfaction and their overall wellbeing. Staying connected in our 9.25s, during regular one-to-one check-ins, during our fortnightly traction meetings, monthly team updates and quarterly offsites (phew) all support in creating a more engaged team.

Creating Improved Quality Outcomes….

Remote work has enabled the team to structure their work in a way that suits them individually and also the wider business; getting noticeably better quality outcomes for clients. Feedback has included; working more productively with fewer distractions, having a better work-life balance and being able to work when they feel most productive. The flexibility with a remote working culture has undoubtedly led to higher-quality output and improved overall client satisfaction.

Team Comes First…..

Moving to a remote first culture has opened the door to a wider talent pool. We have the luxury of hiring the best professionals, regardless of geographical location. We have team members in Bournemouth, Stevenage, Telford, Norfolk; to name but a few. With more diverse skill sets, it’s brought fresh perspectives, creativity and expertise, elevating what we can deliver for our clients in the digital space.

And this is just the beginning……

The Kármán Line, named after the mathematician Theodore von Kármán, is the point at which space begins and the atmosphere of the earth comes to a stop. It’s the end point of the mundane, and where new worlds, ready to be explored, begin...

This is our story. It’s a transformative one for our team and our clients. The requirements to adapt, innovate and overcome challenges is something we continue to embrace and encourage as an agency.

Work from Anytime, Anywhere…. Have we achieved it?  Yes, Absolutely.

Could we go further? Hell yes.

The journey continues.