We’ve often been asked how we manage to build a remote company culture. As we see it, it takes a clear approach, simple rules and small routines, cool tools and, of course, a physical side as well. Because we like a real hug now and then too.
Crystal-clear communication
First, the basics: from day one, there is complete transparency. That means everyone has access to everything, unless there is a genuinely compelling reason against it (a staff appraisal, an employment contract or similar). Since we rarely see each other, the rule is: »You can’t over-communicate.« We talk regularly and raise the challenges our work brings openly within the team. Clear rules make maximum freedom possible. With us, »work-life balance« is practically high culture: each of us is free to choose where and when we work, as long as neither projects nor clients nor colleagues suffer. Simple, right? We think so too.
A short but important example of our processes and rules: our internal communication runs on Slack, and emails only go to people outside the company. For clear communication, we have emoji meanings agreed down to the smallest detail:
👀 got it, I’ve seen this
👍 will do, no questions
✅ done, no need to follow up
Tools & tech stack
Efficient, goal-focused communication is essential for us. Equipment that creates as much closeness as possible, such as a very good camera or a very good headset, is never a question of cost. After all, who likes writing with a fountain pen that has run out of ink … Below, we list the tools that make working together at a distance easy for us.
Notion is one of the best applications for creating and documenting content together. In it, you can let your thoughts flow and keep developing them as you go, visually too.
Google Workspace is the backbone of our work. Meetings, calendars, inboxes or shared storage: we work in the Google world.
All our internal communication runs through Slack. And every team member has their own animal emoji, of course:
🦉🐅🐝🦐🐷🐿️🦄🐢🐙🦊🐬🦒🦔
Figma lets us work on projects together and seems to have neither creative nor technical limits.
Keeper manages and secures our accounts, shared ones included.
And Adobe Creative Cloud, we think, needs no explanation … 😉
What we’ve learned
Beyond everything that happens at work, there is a person in front of every screen. We have built this so firmly into our digital routine that we have weekly meetings (in pairs or all together) where work simply stays off the table. From intensive onboarding for new colleagues and regular one-on-one sessions to our much-loved workations, it’s all about us as the hej.Team, a colourful mix of very different personalities.
Because we’ve been asked so often: yes, we’re very happy to give you a closer look at how we work remotely. We’re proud of the quality of our teamwork and processes, because we worked hard for it and are far from finished. In a »Coffee Call« with Michael, we’re happy to show you our communication structure and remote culture. Nice to see you! ✌️
