Cut the barbecue. Post staff calls from the printer. Volunteer with colleagues at a local food bank. Building a company culture can be a fairly straightforward exercise with these types of activities – whether your business maintains typical local office hours. However, those same strategies may fall flat or seem forced in a post-pandemic world, when many businesses are now taking advantage of remote and hybrid work environments.

As CEO of INS Global, our company has helped countless companies embrace flexible work arrangements without sacrificing their company culture or losing the sense of “family in the workplace.” Fostering a cohesive team spirit with a hybrid workforce requires new, intentional strategies and a shift in perspective on your company culture.

Connected: The importance of workplace culture in a hybrid environment

1. Define core values ​​and mission

Everyone deserves one sense of belonging and purpose, regardless of their work environment. The more connected and empowered each team member feels to understand and carry out that mission, the more committed your teams will be to your culture. Try mixing it up to have friendly competitions on how best to describe or articulate your company's mission and values. Consider hosting a “Creativity Contest” for employees to use AI-generated statements to better define the company's mission and create a virtual voting committee.

Let employees create stories, newsletters, blogs or even AI-generated images to illustrate what your company stands for. They will enjoy flexing their creativity and also contribute to the company culture. Just as family traditions bind relatives together, defining core values ​​and a Mission statement serves as a unifying force for our team at INS Global.

2. Use technology for frequent communication

Just as regular phone calls and video chats keep us close to long-distance family members, using tools like Slack and Zoom can help employees maintain real-time communication and camaraderie even when they're not together in person. Virtual meetings are an easy way to ensure everyone stays connected and informed.

3. Fostering inclusion and diversity

At INS Global, we support companies as they actively seek out diverse talent, which includes creating an environment where every voice is heard and valued. For hybrid teams, allow as much autonomy as much as possible allowing each team to choose which day/time to meet in the office face to face. Make sure decision-making processes are inclusive for all team members, regardless of their location, and have virtual team members join meetings with their cameras on, even if they're not physically present.

4. Encourage employee engagement

Engagement activities in a company are like family traditions – they strengthen bonds and create unforgettable experiences. Virtual team building exercises and traditions can contribute to shared experiences and strengthen relationships. For example, start a “Music Mondays” tradition where employees post songs within a different theme each week to create company-suggested playlists. Or host company-wide online stuff team events.

Connected: 5 tips for using a hybrid model and making it work

5. Implementation of flexible policies

Nothing builds a strong company culture like satisfied and loyal employees. Get back to the basics of finding ways to increase productivity and employee morale by acknowledging and adapting what your employees value most. In a post-pandemic world, flexible work arrangements tailored to individual needs continue to dominate employee satisfaction.

6. Support for distributed teams

When “company culture” is distilled to its roots, the word FAITH it is a necessity. Demonstrating that you trust your employees to work in a hybrid arrangement and consistently supporting your teams is a strong representation of the company's trust. Consider outsourcing some of these heavy HR tasks so you can be sure that the consistency and accuracy of HR services are being delivered across workplace boundaries. INS Global Employer of record services streamline HR processes and provide comprehensive support and benefits globally to ensure a seamless experience for all team members to believe they are fully supported in their role, regardless of their location.

7. Recognize and reward achievements

Just as every family has traditions to recognize and reward hard work, the workplace family should aim to create similar opportunities for recognition. Be even more intentional and frequent with achievement celebrations by acknowledging milestones and successes. Virtual and personalized award ceremonies recognition programs reinforce your appreciation for outstanding contributions and inspire continued excellence. Ensure that hybrid and remote workers have the same opportunities to advance and be recognized in their careers as on-site workers would.

Connected: How to manage a happy and healthy hybrid workforce

In conclusion, just as strong family bonds are nurtured through shared values, traditions and regular communication, building a strong company culture in a hybrid work environment requires similarly thoughtful strategies. By prioritizing inclusion, engagement and flexibility, you too can cultivate a workplace where all team members feel connected and valued.

Let's build a culture that feels like home, no matter where our work takes us.