In today’s evolving work environment, businesses with multiple locations and hybrid work structures face a common challenge: staying connected. Whether you’re managing a team across different offices or balancing in-person and remote work, maintaining strong communication and collaboration is essential for productivity, company culture, and your business’ success.
At Andres O’Neil & Lowe, we have four office locations as well as a team consisting of in-person and remote employees. So, we know firsthand the challenges you’re facing to keep your workforce engaged and connected no matter where they are. Here are some of the key strategies we use to foster seamless collaboration and engagement—and how your business can do the same.
1. Leverage Technology for Seamless Communication
To bridge the gap between our offices and remote employees, we rely on technology that enhances real-time collaboration. Microsoft Teams allows us to conduct virtual meetings effortlessly, quickly call colleagues from our computers, and so much more. We also try to maintain an open-door policy where popping in the office or making an unscheduled call to a co-worker is encouraged. Meanwhile, our cloud-based management system ensures our team members can securely access important documents from anywhere. These tools help streamline workflows and keep everyone aligned, no matter where they are.
2. Establish Clear Communication Guidelines
With team members spread across multiple locations, clear communication is key. At Andres O’Neil & Lowe, we establish expectations for response times, meeting schedules, and preferred communication channels. Whether it’s a quick update via instant messaging or a detailed discussion during a scheduled video call or email, these guidelines keep our operations running smoothly. Also worthy of mention is that we highly encourage our employees to turn on their video camera during meetings to help build connections.
3. Foster a Strong Company Culture
We believe company culture extends beyond the office walls. Our leadership team stays engaged with employees through consistent check-ins, reinforcing our commitment to a supportive and inclusive work environment. They have invested numerous resources to back their commitment to maintaining a family-like culture. Here are a handful of things Andres O’Neil & Lowe does to bring its employees together:
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Milestone Recognitions: We highlight and celebrate every employee’s birthday. Whether it be a shoutout over Teams, desk decorations, and/or snacks in the office, we believe everyone deserves to be recognized on their special day. We also be sure to celebrate team members with growing families, upcoming nuptials, and other significant life events.
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Potlucks: We host potlucks at each office throughout the year simply to encourage our team to slow down and enjoy being together. It’s a terrific way to encourage interaction among team members who are not typically in the office on the same day.
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All-Company Events: We host four company-wide gatherings throughout the year. First is our annual all-hands meeting where we review performance, discuss goals, highlight major wins, and participate in team-building activities. Our spring event is for our employees and their families. This year we are attending a minor league baseball game and are excited to bring our entire AOL family together. Our summer event is for employees only. It allows us time to slow down, get to know each other better, and raise money for local charities. During our winter event, employees and one guest each enjoy a nice meal, live music, and mingling. Employees are typically spoiled with a holiday gift as well. We highly value these events as they give everyone the opportunity to relax and strengthen relationships outside of the office.
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Virtual Fun: We sprinkle in virtual fun throughout the year as well, such as our annual College Football Bowl Game pick ’em league and March Madness bracket challenge.
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Andres O’Neil & Lowe Swag: Employees receive $50 each year to purchase branded Andres O’Neil & Lowe gear. Everyone always looks forward to this and loves representing the agency in and out of the office.
Andres O’Neil & Lowe’s FUN Committee is our designated internal team that facilitates each of these happenings, which also includes welcoming all new employees. For example, a new remote hire might receive a “Welcome to the Team” package consisting of a branded travel mug and coffee gift card. Remember, a strong company culture improves morale and helps retain top talent. We believe it is 100% worth investing your time and resources in this way.
4. Prioritize Cybersecurity and Data Access
As an insurance agency, protecting sensitive client and business data is a top priority. Our IT team implements strict cybersecurity measures, including VPNs, multi-factor authentication, and ongoing security training for all employees. These protocols allow our remote and in-office teams to access information safely while maintaining client confidentiality.
5. Encourage Feedback and Continuous Improvement
To ensure our connectivity strategies remain effective, we actively seek employee feedback. We conduct an annual survey to gain insights into what’s working and what needs improvement. By listening to our team, we can continuously refine our hybrid work approach and maintain a high level of engagement across all locations.
Staying Connected, Staying Productive
At Andres O’Neil & Lowe, we’ve embraced technology, strong communication, and a culture of collaboration to stay connected across four locations and a hybrid workforce. Just as they have done for us, these same strategies and a focus on security can help your business thrive in today’s evolving work environment.
For more business tips and insights, stay connected with Andres O’Neil & Lowe. Need help securing tailored coverage for your business operations? Contact us today to discuss your insurance needs—we’re here to help protect what matters most!
