People around the world will experience remote working in the upcoming weeks.

I worry that companies won't approach remote work the right way and give it a bad rap. Remote working is a different life philosophy. It sounds corny, but it is—and you need to go all in. If your team doesn't embrace that, it will fail to transition. Even the best say so:

And here is a simple parallel for you if you're used to the physical office world. Imagine your office without the informal chats, group lunches, and spontaneous conversations. Sounds dull, doesn't it?

Below are tips to avoid your team spirit, creativity and motivation collapsing when you're not face-to-face.

Remote is not a new thing

Many articles explain how the coronavirus could make remote work the next big thing.

This makes me uncomfortable. First, it seems like an odd reason to promote remote work. It has already been a better way to work for years. Second, I know first-hand that going remote isn't as easy as picking a tool off the shelf.

Historically remote companies (Basecamp, Doist, Buffer, Zapier, Gitlab, Slite, to name a few) have been sharing great tips over the years. I suggest you check them out:

• How we're building our remote culture as we build Slite
• Zapier's guide to remote work
• Buffer's state of remote work report
• Doist's remote work guides

Remote isn't something you pick off the shelf

My main fear: teams saying "we've installed Zoom and Slack so we're good to go". You're definitely not. And you'll end up hating this way of working if that's all you do. Let's tear down some big misconceptions:

• Zoom, Slack or even Slite alone won't make your team remote. Processes and culture will.
• Remote is not one work-from-home day per week.
• Remote is not lonely.

Embrace the keys to remote

We've summarized the 5 factors that enable remote work in an article a few months ago:

• Grant trust by default
• Be explicit
• Collaborate asynchronously
• Make all information transparent
• Communicate intensively

Use a good async communication tool

Slite's mission is not just to make async communication easier. It helps your team embrace friendlier and more thoughtful ways of working.

Slite will reduce the number of meetings and other daily interruptions. We encourage teams to work asynchronous and develop a strong writing culture. These are all ingredients for successful remote work.

And the best part is, the benefits of being more intentional about your communication will continue if and when you return to the office.

Here are some of our resources to assist your team in this transition: our templates, our manager guide, our onboarding checklist among others.

Get help!

Things are a bit crazy as we currently see hundred of teams like Pitch going to remote. We can help ad-hoc, but are thinking of hosting webinars if need be. Ping us @slitehq if you'd like to attend!

Last, Jason Fried, author or "Remote" actually decided to
‍offer its book, and it's really worth it.

Have a great remote day,

Chris