How to Bring Hybrid and Remote Teams Together

How can you bring hybrid and remote teams together? Workplaces have become blended families in recent years, with employees working from home, the office, or a mix of both. Yet, despite some workers leaving their desks for their homes, the need for collaboration and team building hasn’t gone anywhere. That’s why many organisations are thinking of new ways to maintain camaraderie and considering how to bring a team together during this evolved era. Perhaps unsurprisingly, nearly 80% of the workforce used collaboration tools on the job in 2021, according to Gartner research. The benefits of collaboration for remote teams are wide-reaching, with a Stanford study finding that teamwork can boost motivation and enjoyment. 

HR teams can support hybrid working, but there are also other ways organisations can utilise technology to improve collaboration among in-person, remote, and hybrid workers. Read on to discover more about supporting remote teams and five tips for managing hybrid and remote teams. 

1. A shared virtual workspace

Most modern workers have likely already experienced the benefits of collaborating on platforms such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom, which rose in popularity dramatically during the pandemic. Such solutions can be especially useful in dynamic, deadline-driven environments where questions need real-time answers, and timely brainstorming is key. It’s also a practical approach for slower-paced companies, as it can help colleagues feel connected.

Research has highlighted the importance of collaboration in the workforce - and the negative consequences for companies that aren’t fostering a synergetic environment. A Zippia study found that 56 per cent of employers connect with employees using both social media and online collaboration tools. Doing so pays off, with companies reporting that such efforts reduce turnover rates by half. Conversely, 86 per cent of managers said a lack of collaboration hurt their organisation.

2. The Personality Quiz

It’s become common for workplaces to encourage colleagues to independently complete personality tests and share their results. The task isn’t just for fun; the results can provide valuable insights into a person’s communication style, workplace habits, and cultural fit. It’s also an opportunity for colleagues to learn more about each other when face-to-face interactions are less frequent. If you are leading multiple and remote teams, a personality quiz can be beneficial.

Personality quizzes have also become common in hiring to help determine whether candidates would be the right match. According to the Harvard Business Review, about 76 per cent of organisations with more than 100 employees use aptitude and personality tests while selecting candidates. Free and low-cost options are available, such as 16personalities.com or the True Colors test.

3. Building Employee Morale

If you are wondering how to build team morale remotely, it may be worth considering non-work activities together. Team building doesn’t always have to involve talking about work. It can also be an opportunity for colleagues to let loose and have a little fun. In recent years, virtual happy hours, trivia nights, and online escape rooms have become popular ways of strengthening relationships among colleagues.

Such activities can help build happier workplaces, encourage collaboration, and help alleviate workplace stress. It can also help people feel more connected to their employers, a perk that can lead to a 75 per cent engagement boost, the ADP Research Institute found.

4. Internal Social Networks

Many organisations have launched internal social media feeds, which serve as a space to share workplace success stories, answer questions, and get to know more about colleagues. Topics can range from memes and photos of employee pets to a collaborative discussion on quarterly results. These can serve as a place to educate, network, share messages of interest, and collaborate in real-time.

Companies are also using external networks such as LinkedIn to connect. Many are going beyond those main platforms to collaborate via hyper-focused professional groups. For instance, content strategists are collaborating on the Slack networking group Superpath, where they’re connecting with colleagues at other companies and sharing best practices in their respective fields.

5. Utilising Existing Tools

When encouraging collaboration, it’s also important to consider the tools that are already at your employees’ disposal. DocuSign is helping by offering more than 350 integrations that allow users to complete tasks in applications they’re already using on a day-to-day basis, such as Slack, Teams and Salesforce.

Our tools help teams streamline workflows, collaborate, and connect with colleagues in real-time. For instance, electronic signature solutions allow sales teams to send contracts for signature to anyone with an email address. Rather than waste time and money printing, signing, scanning, faxing and mailing contracts for completion, agreements can be digitally sent and signed from a computer or mobile device. Teams can also track where agreements are in the approval process, making collaboration easier and the whole process faster. Here are three electronic signature tips for remote workers. Whether colleagues work together in person or collaborate remotely, identifying efficiencies can be key.

In summary: How can you bring remote teams together?

To summarise, it’s a good idea to bring hybrid teams together by giving them access to tools that aid collaboration, including shared workspaces, such as Microsoft Teams, and access to internal social networks like Slack. Online social activities like virtual happy hours can also help build team morale. Utilising other online technology like DocuSign to remotely sign documents can also make work easier for workers not based in the office.

How can hybrid teams improve collaboration?

Establish clear goals that are communicated to the whole team and use tools that can help your team work from anywhere. Communicate clearly and make regular times for online catch ups and to discuss tasks. Ensure you have the right tech stack to facilitate remote collaboration.

How can DocuSign help remote teams?

DocuSign eSignature allows remote or hybrid teams to send documents for signing electronically. Using electronic signatures helps your team sign from almost anywhere on a mobile which can help throughout your organisation, including onboarding new employees, managing customer agreements, accelerating invoices and more. 

Sign up for a free DocuSign trial to learn how eSignature can make collaborating easier.