When Cheryl relocated to Cairns, it marked a big shift for us at Social4U. We’d always had a hybrid work model with a mix of in-office and remote work, but this move made us reassess how we could stay connected and engaged as a team across such a large distance.
Like many others, we loved the flexibility that came with work from home – but we also recognised the potential downsides: less face-to-face interaction, higher chance of miscommunication and the risk of feeling isolated. That’s when we knew we had to be intentional about maintaining our strong work culture between Sydney and Cairns.
Here are some strategies that have really worked for us at Social4U:
- Starting the day with morning calls. We begin each day with a short check-in call. These only go for 10-15 minutes, but we use this time to share priorities, flag any challenges, and give each other a quick boost with wins from the day before. It’s a simple habit that keeps us aligned and gives everyone a moment of connection before diving into their workload.
- Weekly team Zooms. While our daily calls are great for quick updates, we also set aside time each week for a longer team Zoom meeting. This is where we dig deeper – sharing team milestones, collaborating on upcoming projects and celebrating individual achievements. These calls remind us that we’re working with each other and reinforces our shared sense of purpose at Social4U.
- Constant, open communication. Communication is the backbone of our strong remote culture. We use a mix of communication platforms like WhatsApp and email to stay in touch throughout the day. This helps ensure no one feels left out or uninformed. We encourage open conversations where we all share updates on projects and ask questions without hesitation.Our goal is to replicate the casual and accessible communication that happens naturally in an office setting. And we’re mindful of the new workplace laws too – no one is expected to be online outside of hours.
- Making time for personal connection. We always make time to ask about each other’s weekends, holidays or what we’re currently watching or reading. It might seem small, but these chats help us build real work relationships. Sharing interests and having a laugh is an important part of our team culture.
- Encouraging involvement and recognition. Cheryl has always made it a priority to involve us in planning strategy. Our opinions are valued and ideas recognised. Cheryl is also quick to call out great work and thank us for our contributions. Just as importantly, she’s also transparent about areas where we can improve. Those two-way conversations make a big difference to our work culture.
Remote work doesn’t mean disconnected work. A positive work culture doesn’t just happen – it’s something intentionally built and maintained through consistent communication and employee recognition. By checking in daily, creating space for collaboration and staying consistently in touch, we’ve managed to create a team culture that works just as well online as it did in-person. Cheryl might be in Cairns, but our team bond hasn’t gone anywhere.
When Cheryl relocated to Cairns, it marked a big shift for us at Social4U. We’d always had a hybrid work model with a mix of in-office and remote work, but this move made us reassess how we could stay connected and engaged as a team across such a large distance.
