Remote Work

Remote Working and In-person events. 

I think I have been inclined to underestimate the importance of face-to-face interactions for staff.

We recently had a get together in Auckland, for NZ based staff and salespeople, plus a contingent from eXp international. 

I was slightly abashed to realise I was walking into a room with a number of people who live in my part of the country whom I have not met in person. 

There was someone there from Florida who I had met in person, and someone from Rodney District in Auckland whom I had not sat down with… hmmm.

My skeptical colleagues who lead office based teams will be smiling and nodding and saying ‘I told you so’. However…. Offices, particularly when you have a big group of real estate salespeople, can be unpleasant places at times. And our model, well simply put we pay better than any office-based model. The extra money has to come from somewhere!! 

But we need to get together more often. 

There have been material and non-material benefits from this. 

I think that one of the most important elements, especially when you catch up in ‘small doses’ is that when something challenging turns up, there is immediately more understanding. The people we deal with are no longer faceless. 

On a personal level, I like to hide behind a computer screen. I am naturally a bit of a lone wolf, and I find in-person events draining. I fit the personality type of introvert, and I guess that is why these remote work businesses I have been involved in suit me. 

However it is clear that if I want to develop culture, understanding, performance, and to build this thing I am doing, I will need to put in person events that are going to have to become a thing that we do.

Like many things in business and life, you can have your preferences, but balance is important too.