The Remote Revolution

Some of our team enjoying our launch event in Soho.

In the not-so-distant past, the office was sacred. Everything from coffee machine chatter to the unpredictable printer was navigated with ease and proficiency. Nowadays, this could not be further from the truth. In this post-COVID digital wonderland, remote working is not just a trend: it’s a necessity. With 44% of the UK workforce adopting a remote or hybrid working style in 2023, it’s clear that this phenomenon is here to stay.

The extension of our working environment beyond the four walls of an office presents both an array of challenges and a wealth of possibilities. As a thriving team of fully remote girlies, here’s how we have formed strong connections and a supportive team environment despite the many (manyyyy) miles between us.

The Electric Cat Model 

Why we think we’re getting it right 😉

At Electric Cat, our team works across different cities and different time zones too. You’ll usually find us scattered around the UK and Spain, although we have been known to work as far away as France and even Honduras!?

Despite the distance (and weather envy), we LOVE a remote working model. Our team of freelancers maintain their flexibility and freedom, and our low overheads have allowed us to take a trip to visit our wonderful Assistant Director in Barcelona. 😎

Remote work is never without its challenges, but while you may not be able to avoid dodgy wifi, you can avoid dissatisfaction within your team.

Our team are dotted all over the UK and beyond!

Worth the hype?

Productivity: 

Whether it’s due to the 2pm slump, a delayed commute or getting carried away with conversation, most of us have fallen victim to the unparalleled distractions of the office. Cultivating your own workspace away from interruptions can have a huge impact on productivity; 75% of workers say they are more productive at home, and more than half of UK bosses agree.

Employee Satisfaction:

Over half of employees claim to be happier and have more job satisfaction when working remotely. Specifically, remote workers claim that cutting out the commute has had the biggest impact on their mental health. Happy team, happy life, right? 

Work/Life Balance: 

The flexibility of remote work enables people to save time and take ownership of their schedule. Extra time can then be spent on hobbies and interests, exercise or family. This also gives remote workers more capacity to access medical appointments and prioritise their long term wellness. 

Money: 

The potential for money saving in WFH jobs is HUGE for both businesses and employees. While remote workers are saving between £80-£136 per week on travel costs (plus those lunches and morning coffees 👀), businesses are able to save on the costs of running an office and staff absences.

Inclusion:

Remote working gives autonomy to your team, supporting them to create their ideal working conditions. Adjustments can be made to their physical setting or working hours in order to manage sensory needs, improve concentration, optimise productivity or facilitate childcare requirements. 

EC’s Ruth and Robyn spotted at the Access All Areas 2023 awards.

The Negatives

Isolation: 

Working from home can limit opportunities for regular social interaction and lead to feelings of loneliness. Over time, this may negatively impact mental health and happiness. 

Detachment from colleagues: 

Without the culture and community that the office provides, teams may struggle to build connections. This can create difficulties with collaborative work and leave a group feeling distant.

Struggling to unplug: 

When your living room becomes your office, it can be hard to draw the line between work and home. This is the most reported challenge for those in WFH jobs, with 30% of people noticing an increase in their hours when working remotely. 

Management: 

Employers and managers may have concerns about monitoring the productivity of their teams without the ability to check in with them in person.

Communication: 

Limited face-to-face interaction and a lack of team-building may negatively impact communication between colleagues. This can lead to inefficiency and frustration within the team.

A sneak peak into our Monday morning meetings…

Our Tips

How to create the best remote working dynamic.

Company Culture:

 We believe one key thing lies at the heart of our success… our (virtual) Monday morning meetings. What might sound like a corporate nightmare to some is actually a chance for the whole team to check in, discuss any concerns or achievements, and reconnect at the start of the week. This keeps everyone on the same page and creates consistency in our diverse schedules. 

IRL Socialising: 

While team building can be lockdown-reminiscent Zoom quizzes or scavenger hunts, these are definitely not the only options. Between regular online calls, we love any opportunity to meet up in-person - syncing up to attend industry events, catching up for coffee and team weekends away have given us the chance to build genuine connections. Whether online or face-to-face, opportunities to have fun will help to bring your team together, develop trust and foster strong bonds. 

Live Updates:

 Keeping track of progress across so many variable schedules might seem like a full-time job in itself. Using Google Suite keeps us fully updated with other members of the team and the work, resources and information that we need. It also gives our Director and clients the ability to monitor progress and add input from afar. 

Communication: 

Keeping a regular flow of communication is integral to rewarding working relationships. Our Whatsapp group is often pinging with messages of encouragement, life updates, and brainstorming discussions. As a little hub of both productive conversation and general chit-chat, we have built a consistent support network to celebrate the highs and navigate the lows. 

This ever-evolving work landscape can be daunting. Whether you’re looking to hybrid-ify your team or become a fully-fledged digital nomad, we hope we’ve given you some inspiration to get the best out of remote working. For future Electric Cat updates and insights, subscribe to our newsletter or get in touch!