When you think of remote working setups, you might picture a home office equipped with a laptop, mouse, keyboard, ergonomic chair, and reliable internet connection. However, they extend far beyond physical tools. The culture surrounding remote work plays a critical role in the productivity and well-being of your virtual staff.
While remote work setups appear comfortable for most virtual assistants (VAs), they also come with challenges that require effective remote team management from the business. As the saying goes, “No man is an island,” and organisations must support their VAs whenever possible.
If you are looking to add Filipino virtual assistants to your team, you must be prepared to create the right environment and culture to maximise their potential.
What is a Remote Working Culture?
Every business has a work culture. This encompasses three main categories:
- General Social Beliefs – Refers to the beliefs and norms defining company culture, such as racial, religious, and other social aspects.
- Company Characteristics – Points to the social practices, values, and conventions representing the overall traits and personality of the business.
- Shared Values – The common goals, objectives, and attitudes the business has adopted in its formation.
Remote working culture share similar aspects with traditional ones, except for the geographical separation between the members. There is an emphasis on stable communication and team dynamics despite the physical locations, ensuring consistent collaboration and support between the employer and the freelance virtual assistant.
Why a Healthy Working Culture is Valuable for Your VA Team
Work culture matters more than businesses realise. Around 77% of adult job seekers will evaluate a company’s work culture before applying, which also applies to VAs. If virtual assistants dislike the company culture, they are highly likely to apply or reject a job offer.
There are several good reasons why virtual assistants value a healthy working culture:
Promotes Higher Productivity
Your Filipino virtual assistant will be more motivated when provided adequate support. A positive remote working culture ensures that all employees are seen and heard and are rewarded for their hard work.
Studies show that virtual assistants with strong support systems are 20% more productive. The reason is simple: when employees feel valued, they put in more effort.
Better Work-Life Balance
While working remotely allowed virtual assistants to be more present in their personal lives, a 12% minority reported difficulties managing work-life balance. The reasons may vary from one VA to another; but often, it is because of a lack of flexibility at work.
Businesses promoting a healthy remote working culture allow virtual assistants to find respite amidst their tasks. A good working culture also allows for flexible schedules, boosting job satisfaction.
Reduces Turnover and Increases Retention
It is easy to feel forgotten when managing a virtual assistant job, and many VAs leave because they are unhappy or disconnected. This is why businesses need to develop a positive working culture for remote workers to encourage overall morale.
A healthy remote work culture focuses on appreciating remote staff and making them feel like a part of the team and allows businesses to keep their virtual employees 50% longer.
Builds Trust and Accountability
A healthy remote working environment is all about confidence and trust. When leaders are transparent and dependable, virtual assistants become more self-reliant, encouraging honesty and responsibility. They also learn to become accountable for their tasks.
Creating the Ideal Working Culture for Your Remote Team
Establish the Foundation
The success of a remote team begins with the cultivation of communication, trust, and psychological safety.
- Invest in Tools and Technology – Clear communication and task management are essential in a remote setup. Equip your virtual assistants with trusted tools, such as Trello for tracking tasks or Slack for real-time communication. The right technology keeps everyone aligned and make collaboration easy.
- Psychological Assurance – A healthy working culture encourages remote employees to speak up, learn from their mistakes, or ask questions. Encourage open communication and create a “no-blame” environment where VAs can share ideas and admit and learn from errors.
- Promote Trust – Trust is the backbone of remote work. Without daily or regular face-to-face interactions, it’s crucial to be transparent in decisions with your virtual assistants. Businesses should ensure transparency in decision-making processes and be welcoming to their feedback.
- Embrace Remote Work – Many businesses think they can replicate the office setting in remote work and call it a day. However, virtual work setups isn’t just about taking offline tasks online. Embrace tools that makes workflows and real-time communication more efficient.
Improve Remote Practices
How leaders act toward virtual assistants can significantly boost work-from-home (WFH) productivity.
- Define Values and Goals – A robust remote work culture starts with a shared understanding of business values and goals. Business owners or management staff should clearly communicate these to the virtual assistants during or after onboarding to set expectations for the role.
- Provide Support – Regular check-ins with virtual assistants lets them express their experiences and thoughts. This makes them feel supported and understood. You can use mentoring, resource guides, and buddy systems to help them stay motivated and confident.
- Seek Feedback – Strengthen your relationship with your Filipino virtual assistants by requesting feedback through surveys, anonymous suggestion boxes, and focus groups.
Care for Your Virtual Assistants
A virtual assistant job is difficult, considering the limitations in connecting with the business.
- Recognising and Rewarding Achievements – Make it a habit to acknowledge, celebrate, and reward your VAs publicly when they accomplish their deliverables early or reached a notable career milestone. Even the simplest “Let us congratulate…” can tremendously impact their confidence and morale.
- Promoting Team Building and Connection – Help reduce feelings of isolation by hosting virtual social activities, such as online game nights, virtual happy hours, and digital celebrations.
- Nurture Professional Development – Invest in the professional development of your remote VA team by offering mentorship programs, online training courses, workshops, and skill development conferences.
Ready to Build a Stronger VA Team?
Building a healthy remote working culture is essential for optimal productivity, well-being, and long-term loyalty. Investing in your virtual assistants’ culture isn’t just good practice; it is a smart move for your company’s future success.
Now is the time to invest in your remote workforce in Australia—partner with Outshore AU to find the best virtual assistants in the ever-growing Filipino talent pool. No matter the industry, we can help you form a competitive team of skilled talents to push your business forward without the extra costs.
Contact us today to book a free consultation.