As we prepare to celebrate our fifth year in operation and “return to office” mandates appear in the headlines, we have been ruminating on why our team has always valued virtual collaboration. Williamson Creative Agency (WCA) is a team of independently contracted creatives, and we all have numerous irons in the proverbial fire. We keep our collaboration smooth and our clients happy with three practices that support asynchronous productivity and work-life balance for all.
Weekly Zoom Check-Ins
Every Monday at the same time, the whole WCA core team hops on Zoom for one hour dedicated to project updates, task prioritization, and a sprinkle of interpersonal connection. This is a time we rely on to catch up, get on the same page, and enjoy one another’s company. Predictability is key when it comes to virtual workflows, so this is a practice we hold dear. Each team member also has one-on-one meetings with our director every quarter. This practice ensures that any frictions can be addressed before they become bigger issues. We also use Zoom to host weekly or monthly check-in meetings with our clients. It all depends on the season we’re in together and what’s on the horizon work-wise.
Cloud-Based Document Sharing
Any group interested in virtual workflows will benefit from a cloud-based files-sharing system. There are plenty of options available, including Box, DropBox, and what we use: good ol’ Google Drive. More important than the platform is the organization of the folders and files. Developing a logical, consistent structure for folder organization and file naming are the most important factors in any file-sharing system. We ensure all team members can efficiently locate the files they need to do their work. These platforms also enable users to quickly create links directly to the files that are easy to share on other communication and project management platforms. This further mitigates time wasted digging through folders and the risk of working on the wrong document.
Work When It Works For You
Our virtual collaboration practices allow project work and communication to happen asynchronously and on timelines that support a healthy work-life balance. Aside from the pre-scheduled check-in meetings we mentioned earlier, our team members and clients are free to structure their workload to suit their brain’s prime productivity hours and other commitments. Our dedication to this practice helps prevent burnout and allows all of our working creatives to flex their muscles to their max on behalf of our clients.