During times of crisis, the financial health of a company is markedly more front-and-center than usual for the CEO and Management. However, the social and mental health of the firm is as critical and possibly even more paramount in ensuring the survival, and hopefully the growth of the organization in spite of the challenging environment.
With physical offices and public places closed, Management will need to alter their approach to social gatherings and events, and turn to their new best friend – technology – to continue to promote the culture they have worked so hard to build.
Being a FinTech, EWM Global almost seamlessly found ways to harness technology to continue serving our worldwide clientele and their most important employees. We also recognized that the shelter-in-place guidelines would challenge the normal in-person interactions we may have taken for granted, such as running into someone in the office, at the coffee machine or during lunch. To counter this, we were quick to deploy technology to form a mesh of connectivity that has enabled us to remain linked to one another, both professionally as well as socially.
We host office-wide video meetings at the beginning and end of each day to keep everyone connected with company-related topics, and on occasion get to wish that lucky co-worker a harmonious and off-key virtual “happy birthday”! Associates share their “work-from-home” tips on our Intranet, including everything from delicious recipes from different parts of the world (we’re global after all), to home-based workout routines, and the mental health resources they’ve found to be useful for adults and children.
Taking it up a notch, we’ve even hosted some internal competitions such as trying to match Associates with pictures of their home offices, most creative home workout challenges, and the occasional happy hour at the end of a productive week.
We are particularly proud to share that we have successfully welcomed our first post-COVID-19 new hire, completely remotely, and expect to continue growing!
There has always been a work-life balance at EWM Global, however this coronavirus is blurring the lines between the two, and our Leadership knows it is more important than ever to ensure that even as they shelter-in-place, there is still a (virtual) open-door policy for our Associates and our company culture is stronger than ever.
We’d love to hear how you are motivating your talent pool and fostering a positive remote environment. We encourage you to get creative within your company, keep it simple and use the tools already available. Technology is our ally within our ‘new normal’. Stay safe and well.