Remote work is on the rise with more employees opting to work outside of established offices each year. The benefits include convenience, work-life balance, efficiency, and more, but those new to the experience may need to make work style adjustments in order to ensure they’re staying connected and engaged. A few of our FlyMates (Flywire employees) shared their tips on how to overcome the unique challenges of working remotely.
1. Establish connections
Flywire believes establishing a connection between remote and non-remote FlyMates is important, and will usually bring them into one of the offices during either the interview or onboarding process. Alex Gardner, Sr. Director, Client Success, who works from her home office in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, said, “It is important to travel to an office from time to time to spend in-person time with my co-workers. The ability to have regular video calls improves the ability to connect with everyone and not feel remote. There are times that I meet someone for the 'first time' with whom I have interacted with regularly on video calls and it's actually hard to remember that we haven't met in person before.”
Remote FlyMates also look to their connections with each other as something special and have cultivated a truly unique community inside the larger company.
2. Have the right tools in place
Flywire is equipped with tools, such as Slack, and follows practices that not only make virtual communication easier, but also foster deep, meaningful connections regardless of location. Slacking in real time is great, but why not take it up a notch and jump on a Google Hangout?
Having the right tools in place goes beyond just technology and time-management techniques—it includes a good workspace setup. Depending on workstyle, a FlyMate might either require privacy and quiet to work, or need the hum of a coffee shop to concentrate. Regardless, it’s important for them to know what environment best suits them and then implement it.
3. Help your company learn
Flywire is committed to addressing our remote FlyMate’s unique needs, and our People team is constantly looking for ways to engage our remote workforce. They solicit feedback on ways they can improve and on how to ensure the company culture is including and empowering them as it grows, but you as a remote FlyMate will have all of the real-life experience.
4. Be self-motivated
When looking for someone to fill a remote position, our Talent Acquisition team often looks for self-starters as these will be the people who can set their own schedules and stay engaged on their own. And having previous experience working remotely is also considered a huge plus.
Catherine Eklund, Senior Director, Global EDU Partnerships, has worked remotely for 15 years and is well-versed in the remote work life. “I am pretty self-regulated and like the ability to balance my time between shifting priorities. Sometimes it is difficult as I thrive on social interaction as well, but I try and connect through various channels throughout the day.”
5. View your position as an opportunity
Remote work isn’t for everyone. If you are one of the few who can successfully work outside the office, take some time to appreciate not only your position but the unique opportunities that come with it. To Sales Manager Sarah Hamilton, “There is a great feeling of trust when working from home for Flywire. Your employer trusts that you will do a good job from wherever you are, and as a good FlyMate, you respect and honor that trust.”
Payment Manager Blake Peterson echoed Sarah’s sentiment, saying, “It’s great to be part of a company that encourages working remote depending on the nature of the position. A lot of FlyMates don’t have that luxury but we do, and to not take advantage of the trust given to us is a must. Our responsibility to perform is higher and being part of what the future working model will look like is a great deal to me.”