You’re excited about the positive impact that the tool could have. And, you know that new tools implemented poorly into your team's tech stack can cause confusion, disrupted work, and ultimately don’t make their way into your team’s workflows and habits. You want to avoid the bumps, and get your team benefiting from this new tool as soon as possible.
Moving your team into a virtual office? We’ve got you covered!
We’ve spent time with teams who have done it. Their virtual office is now the place their team works from, no matter where in the world they are.
We turned their stories into a step-by-step guide for how to successfully move a team into a virtual office. And, we picked their brains for general do’s and dont’s to use along the way, no matter which step you’re at.
6 steps to successfully move your team to a virtual office
Step 1: Make it Feel Familiar
Before bringing your team in, spend some time making it feel like your team's place. Put up your logo, create comfy work spots, or post team photos on the walls.
Step 2: Host a Welcome Event
Schedule a 30-45 minute event with your team to show them the new office in a fun, low-key way. Start with a 5-10 minute welcome, then try a game like team trivia or a scavenger hunt.
Step 3: Schedule Shared Work Time
To maximize collaboration in the space, add shared work hours to the team calendar. Start with a block of 2 hours, 2-4 times a week. Have everyone work in the office at this time, making themselves available to collaborate, as needed.
Step 4: Relocate Your Meetings
Take full advantage of spontaneous collaboration before and after meetings by holding your scheduled meeting in the office. Start with 1x1s, team stand-ups, and at least one team-wide meeting instead of trying to move them all at once.
Step 5: Ask for Feedback
Once your team has started meeting and working in the new office, ask them to share what they love and what isn't working yet. Use this feedback to make adjustments to the way you use the office.
Step 6: Learn from Other Teams
Keep an eye on our blog for tips, tricks, and advice from other teams like yours. Every team is unique, so adapt your learnings to suit yours. Be sure to let us know what's working, so we can share your wins with other teams!
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Want a behind the scenes look at how a remote team works together "without" an office?
You might even see some of our engineers hard at work. But don't get too close, they spook easily 😆
