Daniel is a remote worker in every sense of the word, having never set foot in Vonage鈥檚 HQ. Since joining the team as a TA manager for EMEA Engineering & Product nine months ago鈥攈e鈥檚 been working within the four walls of his home.
As a manager, Daniel resides over teams working on communication software that enables customers to integrate customizable real-time communication methods. To put it simply, these systems promote effortless and easy communication between teams or customers.
When asked about his experience so far in managing remotely, he鈥檚 pleasantly surprised and optimistic.
In his own words, 鈥渋t has been unusual, but it has worked well very well so far!鈥
On their transformation to remote working
Like most companies in the face of the pandemic, Vonage decided to switch to a remote working model. Daniel is quick to point out that the move was also a reaction to the international implications of the changing situation.
鈥淏ack in September/October 2020, the CEO made the commitment to the company that we would remain remote-first until at least July 2021.鈥
Daniel goes on to explain that employees also had the choice of working in the office.
Overall, Daniel estimates these moves were taken in the name of security, safety, and promoting certainty for the foreseeable future. To finish on this question, Daniel adds that Vonage was already home to some remote teams prior to the pandemic, but this situation has laid down the groundwork for how it can continue after.
What Vonage expects of its remote workers
Daniel鈥檚 candid answer to this question came as a pleasant surprise to us. According to him, there鈥檚 no exact demand for workday structure as long as it allows optimal communication. And that鈥檚 really all that鈥檚 asked of their remote workforce: communication.
We give our teams the autonomy to run their own days and organize their work鈥 The main expectation is that people stay communicative, that we use the tools we have to ensure collaboration can still happen鈥
The unique challenges of managing a remote team
Daniel confirms that all of his team is located outside of the US/HQ country鈥攁s he has a team in the UK, Poland, and Israel. He notes that half of Vonage鈥檚 employee base is located outside of the US鈥攕omething which made their move to remote working all the more pertinent.
When asked how about their organizational setup, Daniel credited and emphasized regular communication as their most valuable organizational asset.
鈥淲e use regular touch points, weekly and monthly, to drive regular check-ins and ensure things do not slip.鈥
It鈥檚 clear that internal communication is the glue that holds Daniel together.
To further bolster this strategy, Daniel says communication technology and other tools are used to ensure effective collaboration.
Key tools for running remotely
Daniel doesn鈥檛 waste time before hopping right into the juicy details鈥擵onage has their very own VBC (video conferencing software.) Not only that but compliment that by using Slack鈥檚 and G-Suite鈥檚 platforms for seamless collaboration.
Take take an even further step by using Vonage鈥檚 own 鈥榃orkplace鈥欌攗sed for more external or broader company communication, including regular town-hall meetings.
The biggest challenge of managing a remote team
Keeping morale and motivation high is a top priority for him. Daniel acknowledges that this is a challenge both in and out of the office but understandably, more 鈥渢ime, effort, and focus鈥 is required to apply the same strategy to remote workers.
The added responsibilities of managing a remote work structure
When asked about the added responsibilities of managing a remote structure, Daniel references something we鈥檙e all worried about鈥攔emote working can often break down traditional communicative structures. He cites one of his new responsibilities in the face of managing a remote international team as maintaining communication standards.
鈥淚 feel the teams at Vonage have really embraced and stepped up to the challenge to keep things moving when we cannot collaborate in person.鈥
The ideal remote worker
Close to the end of our conversation, Daniel shares what he believes are the key qualities of a good remote worker.
鈥淐ommunicative, proactive, driven, motivated.鈥
We couldn鈥檛 agree more.
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