8 Tips for Creating an Awesome Remote Company Culture
At EGO Creative Marketing, we’ve embraced flexible work long before it became the norm. Even pre-pandemic, multiple employees worked fully remote—but for the past 8.5 months, we’ve all been WFA (working from anywhere!). While most of our team remains near Birmingham, others have relocated to exciting destinations like Paris, London, and New York.
In the spirit of new beginnings, we transformed our Birmingham office from a crowded, open floor plan into the new EGO Studio—a collaborative, comfortable space featuring:
- A fully operational kitchen with beer tap
- Complete living room, dining room, and bathroom setups
- Large socially distanced conference room for client visits and brainstorms
- Bookable workspaces for in-office days
While we’re thrilled about the studio, most of our team will now work permanently remote. Here are eight lessons we’ve learned for building and maintaining a thriving remote company culture.
1. Find the Right Tools
Remote work requires tools that support seamless communication and productivity. From project management software to messaging platforms like Slack, the right tech stack fosters both workflow efficiency and casual “lunch table” conversations that keep team bonds strong.
2. Have Individual Check-Ins
Without hallway chats or coffee breaks, leaders must be intentional about one-on-one interactions. Schedule regular check-ins, onboarding calls, and even virtual coffee dates to ensure every team member feels connected.
3. Set Clear Policies and Expectations
Clarify work hours, time zone adjustments, dress code, and communication guidelines. Document them in a “Remote Work” section of your employee handbook to avoid confusion and ensure consistency.
4. Keep Employees Happy and Engaged
Translate in-office perks into remote-friendly benefits—like snack box deliveries, wellness stipends, or virtual fitness memberships. Creative perks boost morale and show employees they’re valued.
5. Host Virtual Events
From trivia nights and book clubs to yoga and happy hours, virtual events keep team spirit alive. Don’t be afraid to get creative—yes, even virtual karaoke can work!
6. Host In-Person Gatherings
When safe, bring your team together for retreats, summits, or regional meetups. Even an annual face-to-face meeting can strengthen relationships that last all year.
7. Revisit and Reinforce Company Values
Align your mission and values with remote work realities. Clearly communicate these values to both existing team members and new hires, and most importantly—lead by example.
8. Ask for Feedback
Remote work is an evolving journey. Encourage feedback through surveys, town halls, or one-on-one chats. A culture of open communication builds trust and continuously improves processes.
