How to harness the power of remote teams

From the start, it has always been important for us to blend our skillsets, ideas and ways of working together as co-founders. According to LinkedIn, inclusive teams are 35% more productive and diverse teams make better decisions 87% of the time. Global teams drive better outcomes, leading to greater organisational success. You’ll be familiar with this approach, but sometimes it’s important to stick to the fundamentals - it’s just smart business.

The size of your business shouldn’t matter, nor does it require a huge monetary investment or resources. It starts with a mindset shift aligned to the business priorities. The power of a smaller business is that you can quickly pivot your approach and be nimble to changes in business needs. We've done exactly this, and it is one of the main strengths of our business. It means that we can adapt to customer needs and new projects without impacting other areas of the business.

Hiring without borders

The best place to start this journey is through recruitment. Today, companies can cast a global net, fishing for top talent in every corner of the world. This borderless approach to recruitment isn't just expanding candidate pools — it's revolutionising how businesses build dream teams and achieve their north star ambition.

Hiring without preconceptions

For a long time, tech companies had strict parameters only hiring employees with the right tech background and applicable degrees. If you’re a company still following this recruitment process, you’re missing a trick. Career history doesn’t define career trajectory. In 2024, businesses must look beyond what is just on a CV.

We've hired candidates who have gone through the tech returners programme to develop their tech skills. For example, we have recently taken on an analyst consultant who taught code herself. Before joining Daemon, she spent nine years teaching primary school kids. If your organisation’s hiring process is only looking at career history or educational background, you’re in danger of holding your business back from growth.

Diverse teams, better ideas

Diverse teams are innovation powerhouses, but their true potential is unlocked when we foster a culture that bridges global offices and merges regional skill sets. This isn't just about having different faces in the room; it's about creating a collaborative ecosystem where diverse perspectives drive success.

When we bring together teams from various global offices, we're not just connecting dots on a map, we're weaving a tapestry of experiences, problem-solving approaches, and market insights. This integration is the bedrock of innovation.

Each region brings unique strengths to the table. By identifying and leveraging these diverse skill sets, you can create a more robust, adaptable organisation. It's like assembling a dream team where each player's strengths complement the others.

To make it work, you have to foster open dialogue across cultures and offices, as this doesn't happen by accident. It requires intentional planning and the right tools. By prioritising clear, inclusive communication channels, you can ensure that every voice is heard and valued. This creates a place of work where diversity isn't just welcomed – it's the driving force behind your success.

Making global teams work

Once businesses are ready to take the leap and go global, there are certain complexities that leaders need to be aware of. For example, different regions have different local employment laws, local data protection laws and taxation. You might not know all of the ins and outs of local laws of varying regions, but there are companies that you can partner with that take care of this for you, allowing you access to that talent without you needing to add that complexity to your organisation (until it makes sense to, of course).

Making global teams truly effective requires careful management and smart strategies. So, how is it done?

You may have your own methods, but some that we have tried and tested at Daemon include:

1. Invest in your culture: Understand that each hub will develop its own flavour but it is important to seed that culture from the source. Make sure, when starting out in a new location, that you plan for those remote folk to come to the centre so that they can see and feel your culture rather than just hear about it. They also get to add their flavours into your cultural melting pot.
2. Invest in your workforce: There is great value in maximising all of human potential in your workforce and training and developing every employee — including developing them outside of work. Recent technical progress has meant that this is easier than ever with a dispersed workforce.
3. Be progressive: Embrace change, there’s always something that can be improved. Diverse thoughts and experiences will always bring a new perspective to the status quo.

Embracing global talent (wherever it may be) isn't just an option; it's a strategic imperative. It's not always easy doing this - different time zones, cultures, and work styles can be tricky. But this path is a journey, not a final destination. With good planning and open minds, these challenges become chances to learn and improve.

We encourage you to take the leap. Build a team that spans continents. You might just find that your next big idea comes from a place you least expect.

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