Remote and Hybrid Work in the ‘20s, Ep #40

Episode 40

With Benjamin Johnson and Matt Hussey

The pandemic officially changed the way employees and employers alike viewed remote work. It forced us to reconsider what was possible in workplace technology and flexibility. Working digitally went from a logistical bandaid to an essential reality overnight! On this episode, Matt and Ben will examine all the ways remote and hybrid work have changed since the pandemic. They'll also share Frontier’s remote work toolkit and discuss how to create a healthy and engaging remote work culture at your organization.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

  • Acknowledging Ukraine and opening thoughts [0:00]

  • Using cash in Mexico and recapping our tiptap episode [4:06]

  • Matt and Ben’s highlights and challenges of remote life [8:34]

  • The tools and workflow of remote and hybrid work [14:57]

  • Home office essentials to improve the quality of your work and your workday [18:02]

  • Navigating different time zones in remote working and hybrid environments [21:27]

  • Frontier’s remote work toolkit [24:00]

  • Creating a healthy and engaging remote work culture [33:20]

Internet-based freedom

At the end of 2019, many employers were resistant to the idea of remote work. They feared the challenges and the costs would outweigh the benefits. Cue March of 2020, and organizations couldn’t figure out how to make it happen fast enough. For some, working from home had been a long-sought-after solution to the logistical challenges of their life. For others, it was a strange “new normal” that required some getting used to. Charities are just now figuring out how to use cloud technology and store, share, and catalog their digital assets. But mostly, people found freedom in their new remote work lifestyle. They were no longer tied to a building 40 hours per week. They could establish their own work/life balance as it suited them. Now, as we approach the endemic, it’s hard to imagine a world where we didn’t have this freedom and it will be interesting to see how organizations make the shift long-term.

Level-up your home office experience

While working from home has major benefits, it also presents unique challenges. For instance, the physicality and quick-responsiveness of working right next to someone where you can ask them a question and get an instant response. There are, however, tools you can invest in to make working from home a much better experience. At the top of Ben’s list is getting a quality headset for Zoom meetings. There is nothing worse than trying to have a remote meeting with someone you can’t hear clearly. Avoid the confusion and get a quality mic! 

Physically working in an office provides a certain amount of momentum to get you through the day. You're constantly moving around, sitting in different places, getting a cup of coffee…there is diversity in your movements. Whereas working from home lacks the same kinetic impact because it moves at a much slower pace. Matt recommends gaining some momentum by utilizing a standing desk, either by buying or building your own. It’s a great reminder to keep moving and it prevents you from sitting 8 hours a day.

Create a positive remote work culture

Remote work isn’t necessarily good or bad, but so much of our HR culture is built around doing things in person. Matt believes you can have just as great of a culture for remote teams, but you have to engage them by doing things remotely. It’s not enough to just do something over Zoom. You need to invest in the remote experience. No one wants to attend a lifeless video Christmas party (or meeting for that matter). Building a culture around remote work means organizations taking the time and resources to make digital interactions great instead of just passable. For more information on working remotely, listen to this episode or visit the links below!

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