The rise of remote work has challenged many companies to build a solid culture from afar. For international teams, such as those integrating Colombian talent, maintaining a remote work culture strengthens employees’ sense of belonging, enhances productivity, and boosts talent retention. Here, we explore key strategies and effective tools to create a vibrant, cohesive remote work culture.

The Importance of Culture in Remote Teams

A remote work environment lacking a clear culture can lead to disconnection and low morale. On the other hand, a well-established team culture facilitates open communication, fosters trust, and reinforces shared values. Below, we guide you step-by-step on how to build this culture, using tools that simplify collaboration and teamwork.

Strategies to Create and Strengthen Culture in Remote Teams

1. Define Team Values and Purpose

Start by clarifying your company's values and objectives. These should be communicated at all levels, so each team member understands the “why” behind their work and how their role impacts the organization’s success. Run introductory sessions and integration workshops to discuss and share the company's mission and values.

Recommended Tool:

• Miro: Create collaborative diagrams where team members can contribute ideas on the mission and values, building a shared vision from the start.

2. Use Communication Tools to Stay Connected

In remote work, communication is the cornerstone of a strong culture. Establish clear channels to keep the team informed and connected without overwhelming them with information.

Recommended Tools:

• Slack: Use Slack for daily communication and create specific channels (e.g., #news, #kudos, #general) to encourage interaction and keep everyone informed.
• Microsoft Teams: Ideal for video calls and weekly meetings, ensuring clear and open communication among team members.

Best Practices:

• Regular Team Meetings: Set up weekly or bi-weekly meetings to review progress and goals. This creates a connection space and keeps everyone aligned.
• Informal Chat Spaces: Designate a channel for non-work topics, such as hobbies, to help employees get to know each other better.

3. Promote Real-Time Collaboration

Collaboration is essential for integrating team members, especially in multicultural teams. Make sure you have tools that enable real-time teamwork.

Recommended Tool:

• Google Workspace: Facilitates real-time collaboration on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, allowing everyone to contribute and comment directly.

Best Practices:

• Collaborative Work on Shared Projects: Break down projects into specific tasks and use Google Workspace to track each stage and facilitate collaboration.
• Cohesion and Co-Creation: Promote collective brainstorming sessions where everyone can contribute, such as team brainstorming and group presentations.

4. Celebrate Achievements and Recognize Efforts

Recognition of work and effort is a fundamental pillar for building a culture of respect and motivation in remote teams. Create moments to celebrate achievements and acknowledge individual contributions, strengthening team connections.

Recommended Tools:

• Bonusly: A platform where employees can recognize and reward each other’s efforts. This creates a culture of gratitude and reinforces team bonds.
• Slack: Use a dedicated channel to recognize achievements and celebrate key milestones.

Best Practices:

• Monthly Acknowledgments: Publicly celebrate achievements at the end of each month, recognizing those who stood out.
• Highlight Individual and Team Contributions: Use communication channels to make each effort visible, emphasizing how these efforts contribute to collective success.

Examples of Activities to Strengthen Culture in Remote Teams

• Diversity and Inclusion Workshops: Foster intercultural understanding with sessions that celebrate diversity, helping team members get to know and appreciate each other.
• Theme Days: Organize virtual theme days to lighten the mood, like “Friday Game Day” or “Talent Share Day,” where employees can showcase their creativity.

Building a solid culture in a remote environment requires commitment and the right tools to keep the team connected and aligned with the company’s values. The key is to establish open communication practices, celebrate achievements, and create opportunities for collaborative work. By following these strategies, your company will not only maintain cohesion among its remote teams but also attract and retain high-quality, motivated talent.

At **Shark Helpers,** we specialize in connecting your company with the right remote talent that aligns with your values and team culture. Our goal is to help you build a strong, cohesive team while reducing employee turnover and ensuring long-term success.