Episode 47: Building a Strong Culture with your Remote Team
Connection, Appreciation, and Authenticity
Remote work is on the rise, and it has plenty of benefits.
Building a culture that teams want to work in is more important than ever. But without the right strategy in place, remote teams can fail.
Listen in today as we share ways to make your remote team feel like they're part of the company and how engaged workers are more productive.
Podcast transcript:
Kiva Slade: [00:00:01]
Hello, and welcome to Collab With Kiva. I'm your host, Kiva Slade. From the marbled halls of the US Congress to my racing-themed office chair, I've learned that there is no perfect path to the life of your dreams. My journey over the past 20 years has included being a legislative director for a member of Congress, policy director for a nonprofit, stay-at-home mom, homeschooling mom, jewelry business owner, and now the owner of a service-based business. Whether your journey has been a straight line or full of zigs and zags, join me and my guest as we share insights, hope, and lessons learned from our female entrepreneurship journeys. May The collaborative sharing of our stories be the tide that lifts your boat. Let's dive in.
[00:00:55]
Hello-hello-hello, and welcome to another episode of Collab With Kiva. I am your host, Kiva Slade. And today, I am excited. We are going to talk about all things team and team culture. Today I am joined by Becky Bruner. She is a value-driven, adventure-loving, team culture strategist. She works with female business owners and service providers to get them connecting with their teams on a level beyond just work. In order to keep productivity high, relationships strong, and team members genuinely happy, you have to have a strategy that develops and nurtures a positive team culture. Becky will help create a plan that strengthens your team's culture and allows you to lead a team of motivated, connected, and happy employees without having the awkward feelings talk and confrontational meetings. So, welcome to the show, Becky.
Becky Brunner: [00:01:51]
Thank you so much, Kiva. I am elated to be here today, and absolutely love connecting with you anytime I can.
Kiva Slade: [00:01:58]
I agree. I'm feeling the same. I'm like, okay, so I have to make my way to the upper Midwest I'll call it and go visit with Becky, so we can do that. So, I'm excited today to talk to you. I already knew things that you do, but lately, you did come into a team that I work on and you literally gave us training. And I'm just going to be honest with everyone. Things were good I felt like on the team, but I knew that we were missing that connectedness. And after Becky's training, we have been utilizing the prompts she's given us and so many other things, and we're finding so many points of connection within our team that are fully remote across the US and the Philippines and South America. And we're just like, "Oh my goodness, I didn't know you like true crime. I do too. What about this?" We're finding out, gardening, flowers, so many things. So, the training has just opened the doors for just another level of connectedness that we didn't have before. So, I think I want to start there. Talk to me about the importance of team culture and especially in these remote environments that so many of us work in.
Becky Brunner: [00:03:17]
Yes. Connection is so important whether we are at work, in our personal life, wherever we are. As being humans, having that connection, connection to one another, whether you're in person or virtually online, is really critical to get to know one another and be able to form those working relationships. And so, what I found that I try to remind people of is that everyone has commonalities, whether you come into the business and think that nobody you work with has anything in common with you, maybe you feel like they've had more experience, maybe they live in a different area, whatever it is. Once you really start talking and getting to those basic questions, maybe you both went to private school. Maybe you both love to play with Tonka trucks as a child. Maybe you both had curly hair and you hate it. Whatever the case may be, everyone has commonalities, you just have to ask the questions. And so, really digging deep and finding out some of those basic things about one another so that we can get to know each other a little bit better because it helps in all areas of the business. If I feel like I have a good connection with you and I'm able to kind of ask questions personally, professionally when something comes up and I'm working on a project and I just don't know where to go next, who's the person I'm going to come to first? I'm going to go to the person that I feel comfortable connecting with, and maybe you're able to put me in the right direction or you have the answer for me, or whatever the case may be, and creating those working relationships that then work even better together. Maybe we find out that these two people on the team just make a rock star team. When they're together, they can brainstorm and they get things done faster than anybody can. So, really using those strengths together so that we can get things done and be even more productive than possible. So, while the connection part is amazing, what business owners don't often realize is that a lot of times the end result is amazing productivity based on those connections that are happening.
Kiva Slade: [00:05:29]
Oh my goodness, I love that. And I actually do think that we've actually seen a slight boost in that productivity already, just based on the training that we had, because people have opened those opened up lines of communication have led to faster turnaround times for questions that were asked and different things of that sort. People are just way more responsive. And I think that that is a wonderful bonus as well, like you said, that you don't necessarily see going in. It's not on your radar. It's like, oh, one of the things I want to get out of this is higher productivity. But it definitely is a byproduct of that increased communication and connectedness. So, I love how you share that. So, as we are going into this Q4 season, whether we've had an amazing year and we still have goals that we want to accomplish, or maybe the first three quarters have been meh, and we're like, we have to get all of this stuff done. What would you say to that business owner or that team manager person, people manager ... how do they get things done but still actually protect team and be mindful of not burning team out?
Becky Brunner: [00:06:48]
Yes. And just one thing that I really, always, always share with managers and with business owners is making sure that they're continuing to show appreciation to their team, and making sure that it's not just words of affirmation and that they're not really making sure that they're not .... like, way to go, Kiva, you did an awesome job on this project, but I'm going to shove 50 things on you because I can just spew those words and then you'll feel better about yourself. No. Just really making sure that you mean it. You are really proud of the work that they do. It's not necessarily giving large gifts or bonuses. And those are amazing if you're able to do that. But just the little things, paying attention, making sure that your project manager, OBM, is paying attention. Are they seeing? Does this person seem more frazzled than normal? Is this person having a hard time in the change of season, with school time, with holidays coming up, whatever the case may be, and really being cognizant of each individual person on the team of how they're working, things that they may have coming up, and so that you can all work together making sure that things do get done for the new year as Q4 is a very busy time.
[00:08:07]
People are getting ready for launches; they're trying to finish up projects. And adding that little bit of connection in there when you can to just show that you do care about the team, you do want to stay connected during this busy time. And finding those little bits, maybe it's 15 minutes worth of time and adding to a beginning of a team meeting. Creating traditions. Maybe you have a holiday. What is a holiday that the entire team loves to celebrate? Whether it be a Christmas party or whatever holidays that your team celebrates, just making sure that you're cognizant of that. Have you asked what they celebrate? Not everybody celebrates Christmas, and we all need to be aware and just mindful of how we're talking about things because not everyone does the same things that we do. So, I just try to be a good human. That's what I really break everything down to. It's like I tell my kids every day to be a good human. And it breaks down to listening to their teachers and being kind to their friends. And it's the same thing at work. Are we being good humans to those that we work with? Maybe you celebrate Kwanzaa and am I giving you an entire crazy workload on that day because I'm not paying attention that you celebrate it? Just thinking about that side of it.
Kiva Slade: [00:09:38]
I love that you said just being a good human. When we all boil it all the way down, that's really what it comes down to, is actually being a good human. And that means being mindful that you are not the whole world, there's another person you're working with or several other people you're working with. And getting outside of ourselves to ask questions. So many things can be just so easy if we actually have those conversations and make time to literally just get to know other people. I really have always said I feel like so many problems in the world would be resolved if we literally let's just sit down and talk, let's just have a conversation. And I think that understanding that if you have a coworker who does celebrate Kwanzaa, they're not asking you to celebrate Kwanzaa, but being mindful of and understanding of what that means to them by being a good human you would be aware of, "Oh, it's coming up. Oh, this is happening. Oh, this might be important to them because they've said it before and they said they're making preparations for it. Oh, maybe I shouldn't plan that meeting on that particular day at that time." And I just think that just boiling it down to being a good human, being concerned about others that we work with, that we interact with, can just really go a long way in how we show up. Like you said, even with our kids. It starts really seemingly small like listening to your teachers, being nice to your friends, being nice to the people who aren't even nice to you. It just goes a long way in our evolution I think as people and really raising our own emotional intelligence that, hey, there are some other things to consider here besides that end product of did you get that launch plan all the way finished? There are some other things to factor in. So, be a good human. That's our t-shirt, bumper sticker slogan.
Becky Brunner: [00:11:57]
Yes. And I know that so many business owners and product managers, et cetera, can get a little bit overwhelmed with remembering everything about everybody because teams grow and things are happening. And so, that's why I really encourage you to use your project management tool. I have a template that I use with my team. So, I have their name as the main task and inside it is all of their details. So, what are some of their favorite things? I may use that for gift ideas. What are maybe some holidays that they celebrate? Because if I'm like, gosh, was it Kiva or was it, Jane? I'm trying to remember who celebrated that. I can peek back at that so I'm not consistently asking them and they're like. "I told them that before. They don't remember." This way, I'm not having to ask again, I instantly remember. I can be like, Oh. And so, when the time comes for that holiday, I can say Kiva, happy Kwanzaa. And you're just like, she remembered.
Kiva Slade: [00:12:51]
She remembered. Yes.
Becky Brunner: [00:12:53]
And having some of those minute details, I might add in something later that you told me that if you could have lavender candles for every birthday, you would be elated. So, I'm going to add that note in there. I'm going to buy Kiva lavender candles every year for her birthday. Whatever the case may be, some of those small minute things or even food things. Do they have allergies? So that when I send a snack gift out for a meeting or for a holiday, whatever the case may be, I'm not sending her a box of nuts and she's allergic, she can't touch them, can't eat them, whatever the case may be. So, just being cognizant, making people feel like you care. And also realizing that you're busy, there's a lot going on and you can't remember everything, so you have a receptacle of all of this information in one spot that you're able to refer to and go back to.
Kiva Slade: [00:13:41]
I love that. Use our tools, people, okay? We have them. And sometimes it's a matter of just expanding how we look at that tool. Like, yes, this is actually a form of project management in terms of managing what's going on with the team and using that in that tool and setting your reminders, keeping your notes. I think that's absolutely wonderful. And it's funny you said that because this morning I was like, "Wait a minute. Someone's like ... I need to renew on my team ... I think your first 90 days are coming close to an end." And it was just a thought I had this morning when I was getting ready. "Oh, I need to go check that date." But it was just like then that led to another thought of, "Oh, wow, wait a minute. Okay, if that happens, then I also need to look at this. Oh, we need to send them something for this." Just little things that were all connected, but it was like, yes, Kiva needs to use her own PM tool more. I'll just tell on myself at this point.
Becky Brunner: [00:14:43]
I love. It. Yes. And we all have learning experiences throughout, like how am I going to use this better in the future? As you said, that same template could be used to add When is their 90 days? When do I need to send a gift? Do I need to say happy anniversary? Whatever the case may be, having all of that in one spot, creating reoccurring tasks.
Kiva Slade: [00:15:01]
Right. Exactly. Yes. I have an onboarding for my own personal team and I do ask those questions, like birthday, anniversary, their next favorite holiday, or something like that or something else that they love to celebrate. And my team member recently had a wedding anniversary and she shared on there her favorite tapas restaurant in her area. And I was just like, "Oh, I hope they have online gift cards." And they did. And so, emailed that to her and stuff. She was like, "Oh my gosh, this is so beautiful. Thank you so much." But it was really like you said, I didn't have to guess. I didn't have to think about well, what does she like or what she doesn't like. Does she eat here? Literally, by having that information as part of the onboarding, it was like, boom, there it is, this is her favorite place. And literally, she's like, I could eat there every day. So, I was really excited, they had their online gift card, and it was super easy to purchase. And you can even schedule when it went out. And everything flowed smoothly. So, actually gathering that information is really key. So, thank you for that.
Becky Brunner: [00:16:16]
And the funny part is that you saved time. So, time and money were saved because you had that information right away. And she was so excited because it was what she told you. She told you that this was her favorite and you remembered whether it was in your project manager tool or not, you remember it. And so, it was a win-win. A Win for both sides because you were happy, you were able to share it, but you saved time and she was happy as well. So, I love that.
Kiva Slade: [00:16:44]
Yes, definitely. And I think you're so right, though, because there are so many things now to think about in terms of allergies or this or that and everything else. So, when someone can just tell you and you have that information, it does make the load a lot easier to live because you're like, "I don't have to think about this. I can go directly to this one's place and do this thing and make this happen." So, absolutely. All right, Becky, when you're now ... let's just say we're about to bring on another person on the team that you came and worked with us, are there any suggestions you have when like folding in a new person after a team training, like someone who's coming on fresh and new to the team who I feel like she has amazing energy and everything else, but it's like, hey, you didn't have this whole little bonding experience? So, are there any special things that we should do or anything that we should think about as we insert someone else into the process?
Becky Brunner: [00:17:51]
Yes. So, if you do have a training like that and you have the recording, I would say that would be the very first thing I would let them see. Partly because they can start to see reactions, responses, excitement, whatever, that they can start to get their own ideas of how things work on the team. That also gives them a better idea once that's done, like, "Oh, I see that Kiva gets excited about this or this is really important to somebody else." It gives them those basic stepping stones to get started on other conversations. Then I really encourage having some brief one-on-one conversations for each of those team members. If that team member is a little bit hesitant about what questions they want to ask, et cetera, maybe think about the past few weeks of prompts that you've shared, whether in Slack or Boxer, and give them to that person or give a couple to that person that they can walk through together with them and have that ease of. I didn't really know what to ask ... I didn't know how to get started. Maybe a more introverted team member. An extroverted team member might not have any problems. They could start a conversation in their sleep and they're able to jump right in and get themselves connected.
[00:19:01]
Another way is having a happy hour. I do these calls at lunch, in the evening, whatever works best for the team, depending on the time of the year. Sometimes it's just a have your lunch and visit, just have a conversation. Other times it's I may have a game that we play ... a listen to fun music that you have to name that tune, trivia type game or something fun like that. I've done the nineties, eighties, all kinds of different ones. And the laughter is absolutely amazing. And usually, on the team, there's somebody that has guesses every single one and knows them. And you're like, "I didn't realize that you are so crazy about music." So, it's super fun to learn about each other, learn what music people are excited about and laugh a little outside of the business norms, getting to know each other that way. But definitely, I would say some one-on-ones to start with so that they can get to know people individually, learn maybe a little bit about them, about their strengths.
[00:20:02]
They can tell them what they do in their role so that I may come in and be like, "Hey, Kiva, you know, I'm the designer on the team. This is what I take care of. If you have questions about this, we can just kind of talk a little bit more about that." If she has questions he or she has questions about, "Well, I'm the virtual assistant. How are we going to work together?" That they are able to tell a little bit more. Yes, words on paper are very helpful, but when I can like explain to you like, Oh, you're going to come to me when a client says, da-da-da-da or you're going to come to me when ... just helps people understand a little bit more and gives that personal feel to that new human. I understand with large teams that may not be possible. You may have a list of if they're a new VA, the main people that they need to connect with, at least to start, is the project manager, the designer, the tech VA, whatever the people are, those are the people we really need you to connect with to start because your productivity is going to suffer if you don't really know those things. And then later, spread the spiderweb. Maybe in a couple of weeks, then you'll connect with the person that's in charge of communications because maybe you don't need to connect with them as much, and slowly start creating those connections amongst the team. It doesn't have to happen all at once. Number one, that can be overwhelming. A person's like, "Oh, this is a lot all at once, and I'm trying to learn the job." But slowly creating that web so that they know who they can connect with about what, thus connecting the team even further.
Kiva Slade: [00:21:39]
Oh my gosh. I love that. I'm so glad I asked that question because I wouldn't have actually thought to share the recording from our training. But that is genius. That's why you're Becky. Okay, this is so awesome. All right. So, I don't want anyone out there to think that Becky's just sharing right now, and she's going to leave you high and dry. Becky has a gift for us. So, Becky, tell us about that.
Becky Brunner: [00:22:03]
Yes. So, for me, it is so important to stay connected. I realized over the last couple of years, especially during the pandemic, that literally, connection is my lifeblood. I've worked at home in my own business for years now, but in the evenings I would get to see fellow moms at sporting events or see people outside of the world and realized why I was struggling and just feeling out of myself. And so, I had to dig deep and figure out how I could connect with people even more in the online space than I already was. And getting creative. And I tell people that all the time to get creative because you have to do what works for you. So, I would like to help people get stuck beyond the, "Hey, how are you?" And people are like, "I'm fine. I had a good evening, watched the office, whatever." It's like, great, but let's dig a little bit deeper. So. I have a free guide. So, 30 Days To Connect With Your Online Team and there's 30 Days’ Worth Of Prompts that give you tons of free ideas to ask your team. And you can find them on my website, choosehappyassisting.com. Kiva will have the link in the show notes here as well. But I can't wait for you to start connecting with your team and learning more about each other. And those conversations end up leading to so many different things as Kiva talked about before. So, maybe you like true crime, books about true crime, and then you find out, oh my gosh, your favorite show as a child was whatever it was, and you start those conversations as well.
Kiva Slade: [00:23:37]
I absolutely love it. So, yes, the details to the connection prompts and how to connect with Becky and her website and Instagram will definitely be in the show notes. So, before I let you go, Becky, what would you tell 20-year-old Becky about, maybe connecting, maybe culture building? What would you tell your younger self as it relates to something you wish you had known then?
Becky Brunner: [00:24:05]
I would maybe say stop worrying about what other people think and be yourself. That's something that I still work on as a 40-year-old human. Just be your genuine self and the connections will follow. People really do love for you to just be genuine, be yourself, be vulnerable. I always tell people that the world would be really boring if we weren't weird, if everybody was just normal and blah. So, be your weird self and you will connect with the humans you're supposed to connect with.
Kiva Slade: [00:24:45]
I love that. I can tell you, look, as a 50-plus year old that it gets better. You really do start to care less. I think it takes us longer for some reason. I don't know why, but yes, I would love to have known that also as my 20-year-old self. So, I just love that you said be your weird self. I feel like we have two T-shirts, and bumper sticker slogans in here. If we ever want a side crafting business we should talk because we could kill it out there with all the things that we have.
Becky Brunner: [00:25:15]
I love it. I love it.
Kiva Slade: [00:25:17]
Well, thank you so much, Becky, for coming on today, sharing your wisdom, and really just helping us all be better humans.
Becky Brunner: [00:25:25]
Thank you, Kiva. Have a great day, everybody.
Kiva Slade: [00:25:28]
Thanks. Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Collab with Kiva. Each of us has a different path. And I hope that this episode gave you some takeaway that has left you inspired and motivated to keep pressing forward on your unique path. Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss out on any future episodes. And of course, your reviews on Apple are greatly appreciated. If you are a small business owner ready to start making data-driven decisions in your business, and you know that without the data, you're really just guessing, make sure to visit my website, the516collaborative, and let's schedule a time to talk to make sure that you can harness the power of data in your business. I'll see you next time. Bye.
Meet Kiva Slade - the Founder and CEO of The 516 Collaborative. With a unique background in high-power politics on Capitol Hill and sixteen years as a homeschooling mama, Kiva found her calling in the online business world as a trusted guide for entrepreneurs looking to build the business of their dreams.
Kiva's work began behind the scenes, orchestrating the back end of businesses and managing teams. But her inner data diva couldn't help but notice that small businesses needed help harnessing the power of data for growth. So she and her team set out to uncover and tidy up the data required to enable clients to grow their businesses confidently and easily.