AOI Experts: Collaboration Trends In The Workplace

As companies continue to return to the workplace, our team of experts share their insight on bridging the gap between remote and in-person teams. As we look into what the workplace will look like over the next year, the reality for many employers may involve supporting a geographically distant workforce. Some employees may be returning to an on-site work location, while others will be working remotely longer-term. We have solutions for ensuring you stay connected with your team to keep them feeling motivated and inspired.

Expand Communication Sources

As communication is a prominent concern, it is of immense importance to keep it open and strong in all ways possible. And an effective method to do so is to expand the communication ways between your in-office and remote team through technology. The ways are endless, so just encourage your team to reach out in the way that works best for them. Keeping communication open saves time and energy. It helps solutions come together quickly and allows people to feel heard and understood. All key ingredients to a strong team and a successful culture.

Cultivate Table with Very Task Chair (Very Knit) and Lana Light

"The use of technology inside the office. The more technology the in-person teams can utilize, will in return help them connect with the remote team." Alex Nenadovic, Account Manager

Create A Culture Of Connection

Having more opportunities for your team to collaborate and connect through video conferencing for remote teams allows everyone to stay more connected and in turn be more productive. Face-to-face connection (video or in-person) allows everyone to build relationships, feel more comfortable and keep on top of details as projects progress and evolve. Having a weekly set time allows your team to leverage their time together, address pressing needs and come up with solutions quickly to maintain high levels of professionalism and problem solving tactics as a team.

"Allowing flexibility to skip the commute, as well as, the opportunity to work face-to-face will help bridging remote and in-person teams." Alison Walwark, Showroom Manager,

Encourage Everyone To Work Together

Remember to encourage everyone to work together. It is so powerful to reward and recognize remote employees. Employees can see what values and behaviors are celebrated in an organization and can seek to emulate those behaviors. Additionally, features like activity streams along with programs designed to unite teams and departments can help remote employees feel more connected to one another and the company at large. Talking about how teams are doing, what is working and what could be opportunities for growth are fabulous ways to encourage and celebrate your team.

"Regular touch base meetings. Switch up the teams of who is at home and in the office so everyone has an opportunity to work together." Jessica Platt - Vice President