Creating connections and nurturing strong relationships are more critical than ever in the new reality of hybrid and remote work. With 19 remote associates — 17% of our agency — we are always looking for ways to foster a sense of community and encourage collaboration and connection despite the distance.
In addition, our Des Moines-based associates are on a hybrid schedule that brings them into the office three days a week and allows them to work remotely the other two days. We believe a hybrid model offers many benefits, including increased flexibility for associates to manage work-life balance. But this change does mean some adjustments in how we think about collaboration and agency culture.
It’s a new landscape that many companies are navigating. A Pew Research Center survey from March 2023 showed that 41% of those with jobs that can be done remotely are working a hybrid schedule, up from 35% in January 2022.
A Week of Reconnecting
To build unity and celebrate our agency’s culture and success, this month we hosted Two Rivers Marketing Homecoming Week, bringing most of our remote associates into our Des Moines office from their locations in Missouri, Kansas, Minnesota, Indiana, Texas, Ohio, Montana, Wisconsin, and South Dakota.
The week’s events included in-person meetings and collaboration, team-building activities, an agency potluck, games, socializing — and many lasting memories made. It was a chance for associates to celebrate achievements, acknowledge each other's contributions, and strengthen the bonds that are essential for a thriving work culture.
“As a remote associate, I always appreciate the effort the agency puts into bringing us back and planning several days of meetings and activities,” said Nestor Barrera, senior digital strategist – localized marketing based in Houston. “I had a lot of fun and got to reconnect with many other associates and make memories with some associates I hadn’t worked with before.”
By Two Rivers Marketing
