5 Tips for Creating Cohesion in a Remote Work Environment: How Virtual Coworking Sessions Can Boost Productivity

Will Figueroa, head of Technology, Design, and Implementation at Cleveland Rain, has always been focused on finding ways to be more productive and efficient in work. Recently, he was diagnosed with ADHD, which has given him a new perspective on his work style and the need for a lifestyle change to be more effective.

We know that we are not alone in our search for better ways to work remotely, and we understand that many organizations are struggling to maintain productivity and cohesion among their remote teams. That's why Will asked our Founder, Paul Routhier, to join him in a virtual coworking session – he wanted to see if he could find a way to work together effectively and boost our productivity.

To our surprise, the mere presence of someone on the other side was enough to create a surge in productivity. We could complete tasks that would normally have taken a few days in just a few hours. This experience showed us the importance of remote work and how it can be even more productive than working in an office if we can find the right tools and strategies to support it.

Both Will and Paul understand that it can be challenging for companies to adapt to remote work and maintain productivity, especially if they are not used to it. That's why we wanted to offer our genuine empathy and understanding to organizations that may be struggling with this transition. If you are having difficulties with virtual productivity, we encourage you to take the time to get to know your employees and their work styles. Experiment with different styles of remote work during the onboarding process first. Make this a priority and find what works best for your team.

So, what are some things you put in place to create cohesion when working remotely? Here are a few tips:

1. Set clear goals and expectations: One of the keys to cohesion is having a shared understanding of what needs to be accomplished and how it will be done. Make sure that everyone on the team knows what their responsibilities are and what is expected of them.
2. Communicate regularly: Regular communication is essential for maintaining cohesion, especially when team members are not in the same location. Use video conferencing tools like Zoom or Skype to have regular team meetings, and encourage team members to stay in touch through chat or email as needed.
3. Use collaboration tools: There are many tools available that can help remote teams work together more effectively, such as project management software like Asana or Trello, or document-sharing platforms like Google Docs. Using these tools can help keep everyone on the same page and facilitate better communication and collaboration.
4. Build in-person connections: While remote work can be very efficient, it's important to remember that personal connections can be just as important in creating cohesion. Consider organizing in-person team-building events or retreats to allow team members to get to know each other better and build stronger bonds.

Ultimately, creating cohesion in a remote work environment requires effort and commitment from everyone on the team. This is why the 5^th tip deserves its own thought worth its weight in gold.

5. Pick a work partner that brings out the best in you. We all have different ways of working as unique as the person themselves. Choosing a partner that brings out the best in you not only keeps the motivation going but also mutually brings out some of the best productivity both can experience. We found that when productivity and values are aligned with skill sets and the right partner, this is a massive dopamine hit, and you, too, can experience this with the right work partner.

If you have any questions or would like help in figuring out the best way for your team to work together remotely, don't hesitate to reach out and book time at Cleveland Rain. We are here to help you navigate this exploration phase as quickly as possible, share what we have learned and are actively experimenting with, and are happy to find the strategies that work best for your team to accomplish your goals and increase revenue and profitability.