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Tips on working distributed as shared by @nickholzherr in an internal @SamsungNEXT lunch & learn. He built @WhiskTeam 100% distributed over past 8 years.
1\ Write things down. Write your thoughts down so they can persist. Shared a Doc link at start of call to jointly collaborate on taking notes. Share at end of call for those who couldn& #39;t attend.
2\ Default to async methods of communication. Too often people default to “meetings”. Often can be solved with a Doc, @SlackHQ message, Recorded Videos. Can accomplish a lot with back and forth videos. Quick @zoom_us with only you and hit record.
3\ When in meetings use new formats like this: https://medium.com/@TravisBogard/https-medium-com-travisbogard-the-case-for-the-open-laptop-meeting-9260da13b044">https://medium.com/@TravisBo... or this: https://coda.io/@wadefoster/how-to-run-your-distributed-staff-meetings-like-zapier">https://coda.io/@wadefost... from @zapier for more efficient discussion and automatic documentation.
4\ If you manage people - Check-in with people frequently. Even short Slack “hey”, but of course 1:1s as well. (Also good advice to do with peers you don& #39;t manage).
5\ Turn on the video on calls so you can see faces. Don’t feel required to stay in seat the whole time. Standing/ walking around with headset where people can still see you there keeps you from being physically static, but also gives the connection of being there.
6\ Don’t stay in the same room. Keep it interesting and try out different rooms to work from. (Discussed this may be personal preference as some need to create boundaries and associations. But the point is you have flexibility to mix it up.)
7\ Get dressed everyday. Tempting to just wear pajamas everyday. But you can end up feeling “sick” at end of day. Go through the routine as if you are leaving the house. Physically and mentally gets you ready.
8\ Take breaks between calls. Even 5 minutes. In an office with back to back meetings you would often walk between meetings providing a little break.
9\ Write a list of things you are trying to do that day, add to it with things to follow-up on and review at end of the day to plan for the next day. It helps create structure for your day.
10\ Question: "Sounds like lots of docs are created, how do you keep all the gDocs organized?"
10.a\ Cross-link within docs for related docs. Helps people go back and find them easily. Use Search to find docs. @NotionHQ for more Wiki type info for finding.
10.a\ Cross-link within docs for related docs. Helps people go back and find them easily. Use Search to find docs. @NotionHQ for more Wiki type info for finding.
10.b\ For recurring meetings, use single running Doc. We have template at top. “Action brought forward”, Updates” “Issues we’d like to resolve”, “Action Items this Week”. Shared link to collaboratively write the notes. Use tip #3 above.
11\ Create a culture that encourages "If you don’t think you need to be in meeting, feel free saying don’t need to be, and follow the notes." You can comment in. (You can even not be in the meeting and be following along on the side.)
12\ Use the chat in @zoom_us to ask questions. Can speed discussion and avoid waiting for pause, getting off mute, and moment passing.
13\ Hiring... So you are trying to hire and now thinking “How will I hire while at home?” Perfect time to try out @Upwork and learn the experience of hiring distributed and talent you can access. You are home anyway, you probably don& #39;t need that person in same location as you.
14\ Carve out meeting/ day time for light-hearted conversation to get to know each other. Ask questions “Where is everyone from? Biggest fear?” Will feel odd at first, but if you do this, you find interesting things about people. Daily @SlackHQ post. Or https://medium.com/@dannycarvajal/how-to-build-personal-connections-in-a-distributed-team-c24b177a8761">https://medium.com/@dannycar...
