This document discusses the stages companies go through when transitioning to remote work, from having everyone in the same office to having everyone work remotely. It outlines both the benefits and challenges of remote work, including access to a global talent pool, flexible schedules, but also potential loneliness and communication issues. Effective communication, establishing workflows, defining goals, and building trust are emphasized as important aspects of successful remote work. Remote perks like salaries, company retreats and vacation policies are also covered.

1. 28.02.2019 @ Agile Connect Porto
The sunshine, rainbows
(and dark alleys)
of working remotely 🌍
Pedro Santos - pedrosantos@doist.com

2. 👋

3. The stages of remote companies
Everyone in the same office
Everyone distributed through different offices
The occasional remote worker
Everyone’s remote 🌍

4. The stages of remote companies
Everyone in the same office
Everyone distributed through different offices
The occasional remote worker
Everyone’s remote 🌍

5. “Working remotely is the new black.”

7. And does it work ?

8. It depends 🤔

9. Ins and outs
Worldwide talent pool
No fixed schedule/workplace
Sync vs Async workflows
Working remotely → remote perks

10. Worldwide talent pool

11. Worldwide talent pool
Recruit anyone from anywhere
Avoid overpopulated, overpriced (tech) hubs (e.g. San
Francisco)
Help developing local communities

12. No fixed schedule/workplace

13. No fixed schedule/workplace
Traveling 🌍

14. “To be everywhere is to be nowhere. People who spend their
whole life traveling abroad end up having plenty of places
where they can find hospitality but no real friendships.”
–Seneca (http://bit.do/remote-cons)

15. No fixed schedule/workplace
Stay close to your family and friends 🙌

16. No fixed schedule/workplace
Loneliness is a thing, be careful!

17. No fixed schedule/workplace
(avoid/optimize) Commute 🚍

18. No fixed schedule/workplace
Where to work from?
Home?
Co-working space?
Library?
Café?
All/none of the above?

19. No fixed schedule/workplace
Whatever rocks your boat

20. No fixed schedule/workplace
Work space != Leisure space

21. No fixed schedule/workplace
Put on some pants! 👖

22. http://bit.do/professor-interrupted

23. No fixed schedule/workplace
Early bird ? Night owl ? In-betweener ? 🕰

24. No fixed schedule/workplace
(once again) Whatever rocks your boat

25. No fixed schedule/workplace
Having a schedule is important!

26. No fixed schedule/workplace
Work time != Leisure time

27. No fixed schedule/workplace
Plan work around your daily life and not the other way around

28. Sync vs Async

29. Sync vs Async
Communication, communication, communication 🗣
http://bit.do/async-comm

30. Sync vs Async

31. Sync vs Async
DO system
http://bit.do/do-system

32. Sync vs Async
Find ways to keep everyone in the loop as much as possible

33. Sync vs Async
Twist threads are future documentation
One Todoist project per ongoing initiative
Ask all the questions
Always communicate your decisions
Be consistent (e.g. use code styles)

34. Sync vs Async
Define goals and priorities for your day/week

35. “I’m blocked and my colleague’s not online. Now what?”

36. Sync vs Async
Multiple tasks in the pipeline 📚

37. Sync vs Async
Meetings
http://bit.do/effective-meetings

38. Working remotely → remote perks

39. Working remotely → remote perks
Trust 🤝
http://bit.do/no-micromanagement

40. “With great power comes great responsibility.”
–Uncle Ben

41. Working remotely → remote perks
Assign a mentor to each newcomer +

42. Snippet of Doist’s on boarding project for newcomers

43. Working remotely → remote perks
Have a trial period

44. Working remotely → remote perks
Salaries 💸

45. Working remotely → remote perks
Yearly company retreat ✈

46. Working remotely → remote perks
Team-specific retreats

47. Working remotely → remote perks
Vacation, national holidays et al
http://bit.do/vacation-policy

48. Working remotely → remote perks
Budgets over physical perks

50. Thank you! 🙏

51. Questions ? 🤔
pedrosantos@doist.com