Atilus is a technology firm that specializes in web development, internet advertising, and software development. We live in the “cloud”. Our team is located throughout the state and we rarely see each other. Our management team believes that this contributes to employee satisfaction. Since the development of websites provides a tangible product, albeit digital, I can determine whether or not the work is being done.
Some employers shy away from giving their staff the freedom because they innately believe that the work will not get done. Others believe that if they do not manage every intersection of an employee’s working day, they will fail. Simply put – they are trapped in the fear of the unknown.
I believe that our position on this management approach is good. But, I recently read an articl called, “5 Reasons Co-Working is Better than Working Virtually.” The article brings to light some of the downsides that working remotely have. While we use products such as Egnyte and Basecamp to keep our team on the same page, sometimes working remotely creates unintended silos. A team isolated, unmotivated.
At Atilus, we will always work in the cloud, but we will also keep in mind the fact that technology never creates a perfect working environment. With every advancement in technology and the integration of a highly skilled workforce through digital means comes a loss of personal interaction. We will be planning some creative ways to overcome this isolationist mentality through team building and more communication…
…over a cup of coffee.