Lumina (YC W22)’s Post

We acquired a company pre-Covid that was fully remote... before remote was cool. It had one of the strongest cultures I've seen. What made it so? And how did they achieve that (AND consistent 20% YoY growth) in a fully-remote business? The defining features of their culture: → CEO owned the culture. → Defined rituals & routines that kept the team feeling connected (and stuck to them). → Clear on how to use which communication channels for which purpose. → A shared mission, constantly reinforced to keep people aligned & motivated. → Management systems. They used EOS religiously. → Clarity. Clear goals. Clear roles. Clear metrics. → CEO refused to cut the semi-annual in-person offsite in post-COVID cost-cuts. None of this was revolutionary, and different things will work for different companies. But I found this to be a good guiding list for how to thrive in a remote world. What else is working?

I sat down with Nick Francis, CEO/Co-founder of Help Scout in 2019 and my perspective on what is possible in work was transformed, forever! Here's what I learned: Learning by Doing ↳ I believed in planning every step. Nick's journey? It champions the 'learn by doing' approach. Real growth comes from stepping into the unknown. Intentional Choices Matter ↳ Choosing to specialize isn't limiting; it's strategic. Help Scout's focus on customer service isn't by chance but a deliberate decision to cater to a perennial need. The Dynamics of Remote Work ↳ Thought remote work was just about flexibility? Nick reminded me it's about discipline, proactive communication, and encouraging participation to build a remote culture. The Entrepreneurial Illusion ↳ Entrepreneurship isn't just about great ideas. It's about the journey, the intentional choices, and the resilience in the face of challenges. Nick's story is a testament to navigating the entrepreneurial landscape with purpose and vision. Culture Transcends Location ↳ The idea that company culture suffers in remote settings? False. Help Scout's retreats and emphasis on diversity and inclusion prove that culture can thrive, even in a distributed workforce. The Remote Work Myth  ↳ Remote work is about discipline, proactive communication, and embedding company values across geographical boundaries. My conversation with Nick was a wake-up call for me at a time when I needed it most. Life's not just about making decisions but making them with intention, embracing the learning curve, and understanding the depth of remote work culture. #burnoutprevention #remoteworker #productivity #workanywhere

Been thinking a lot about our remote work strategy and if it’s been the right approach to growth. For context, Darkroom has ~70 teammates in 9 countries. Here is my general take: 1. Building remotely is hard. In many ways it’s tough not being in an office. You can’t just jump in a room and hash out a problem. It makes managing harder. It makes client services harder. 2. But it’s essential if you want a dynamic business. Hiring remotely and globally should be the superpower of every entrepreneur. If you can master integrated global teams, you’ll have better talent, better margins, and more interesting culture. 3. You need to be intentional about building culture. It’s easy to get wrong, so you need to be thoughtful about it. For example, at Darkroom, I’m focused on building a distributed team that clusters around a handful of regions. It gives us global reach, but enables us to stay focused and replicate the in-person experience when we want it. That way we keep our culture alive, which is crucial. Violet Selznick is doing a great job of building this at Darkroom. 4. There’s more than one right way to do it. For example, if you’re just starting your company, consider launching as a distributed team and consolidating over time, rather than the other way around. Testing out different locations before committing to one or a few prevents you from putting all your eggs in the wrong baskets. 5. Organization is everything. In a remote/hybrid world, the onus is on leadership to figure out how to stay on track, keep the team executing, and keep the culture alive. This means a lot more than just Notion, Slack, Google Drive, Zoom, etc. It requires rigor and consistency, and means getting out into the world and bringing the team together for intentional touch points. Hard work, but if you can stay focused and make it happen, the benefits outweigh the costs by a long shot. #remotework #workfromhome Leave a comment with thoughts/ideas. 👇

Hey everyone, I wanted to share some insights from an incredible conversation I had with John Lee about the future of work and company culture. 🚀 We delved into the thought-provoking debate surrounding in-office work, remote work, and the innovative hybrid model. John shed light on how different companies are navigating this landscape, each with their unique perspectives. Some swear by the in-office experience, seeing it as the hub for creativity and collaboration. On the flip side, we have remote work advocates who've embraced the financial benefits and talent access it brings. John highlighted the success stories of companies going remote. Not just any remote, though – those who understand the power of personal connections. They balance their remote setup with periodic in-person meetings, creating those unforgettable "powerful moments." This approach showcases the potential of human interaction even in a digital age. The hybrid model, as John explained, is the sweet spot where the best of both worlds converge. It's reimagining the purpose of the office – not just a place to work, but a space to connect and socialize. It's about flexibility and adaptability, recognizing that different tasks demand different settings. But here's the kicker. In industries where remote or flexible work is the new norm, not adapting could mean missing out on top-tier talent. John's insights highlighted the importance of staying ahead. A company culture that champions flexibility can attract and retain the best minds, even in a competitive market. I'm truly grateful to John Lee for sharing his knowledge and perspectives on this topic. His insights have ignited a fresh perspective on the future of work. 🌟 As we navigate this pivotal juncture, let's keep in mind that our choices aren't just about convenience; they shape the way we work and thrive. Kudos to John Lee for opening our eyes to the exciting possibilities ahead! 🙌🏼 #FutureOfWork #CompanyCulture #HybridModel #RemoteWork #InOfficeExperience --------------------------- Hey there! I am Rolando. An Amazon Nerd 🤓 Entrepreneur 👨💼 Nature Lover 🌲 Content Creator 🎥 Want more tips and nuggets? Checkout my podcast in my profile Don't forget to Ring the 🔔 on my profile for more tips

We’re always going to be a remote first company… But there’s never going to be a substitute for getting together in person. Working remote allows people to have the flexibility in their work style and in their life that I think is so valuable. (I mean, I wouldn’t want my work to dictate where I live either. You know how I feel about the Bay Area!) The tradeoff of being remote is there’s a level of entropy every organization needs to manage, and when you’re full-time remote, it’s accelerated a bit more. To be successful, you have to find ways to make up for that. For Excedr, that means getting together, in person, twice a year. The whole team. It has been a great way to rein in that entropy and kind of tame the “chaos” – before it becomes 𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙤𝙨. We do a Yearly Kick-Off in January, and then sometime over the summer, we have our Mid-Year Sync. So far, that works really well for us. And in my opinion, kind of like JPM, there’s no better way to kick off the year than having a reunion with the whole gang all in the same place. Whether you’re in-person or remote, if you’re not doing a YKO to start the year off right with your team, it’s something I’d highly recommend considering. #biotechnology #lifesciences #leadership

When the world hit the pause button during the pandemic, businesses found themselves at a crossroads, needing to reinvent how they work to keep the gears turning. Suddenly, digital became the new normal, not just for work but for everything from shopping to entertainment. This digital wave didn't just keep us afloat; it became our lifeline, enabling teams to collaborate, stay connected, and keep business wheels moving even when the physical world stood still. With the world turning to remote work, hiring global talent became the trend, introducing a mix of productivity, efficiency, and flexibility previously unimagined. However, managing a team spread across continents isn't without its hurdles. The magic lies in finding the right formula for each unique team, focusing on creating a strong company culture, building trust despite distances, and keeping everyone aligned and motivated. Firstly, fostering a strong company culture is more crucial than ever. When your team is scattered around the globe, making everyone feel part of something bigger can boost motivation and dedication. Secondly, trust becomes the cornerstone of remote work. Empowering your team with the right tools and communication means everyone stays in sync, no matter where they are. And don't forget about the power of team-building activities. Even virtually, bringing your team together for brainstorming, casual chats, or fun activities can strengthen bonds and keep morale high. As businesses navigate these challenging times, those who embrace a digital-first approach are finding new ways to thrive. Managing a remote team might be a steep learning curve, but with the right strategies in place, it's a journey worth embarking on. The key is continuous improvement and leveraging technology to make remote work not just feasible, but incredibly rewarding. #digitaltransformation #remotework #teamculture #globaltalent #virtualteam #leadership #productivity #teammanagement

After years of running remote teams and coaching founders, I've seen the same issues come up again and again. Overwhelmed founders. Inefficient teams. Stalled growth. It shouldn't be this way. I've distilled my experience into a simple assessment: The Remote Team Efficiency Audit. It's a deep dive into the 5 critical areas that can make or break your remote team: No email required. No strings attached. Just insights you can act on immediately. Here it is: https://lnkd.in/ehug2Hny Let's turn your remote team into your biggest asset, not your biggest headache. #RemoteWork #FounderLife #StartupGrowth