Introduction:  

This book was written as a manifesto about remote work long before the pandemic of 2020 forced it on most of the working population.

Basecamp, the company behind the project management software Basecamp and now the email service Hey, has been working remotely since its inception. Before 2020, they had an office in Chicago, although most of their employees were distributed worldwide, and those in Chicago could come and go as they pleased.

As the pandemic took hold, they transitioned to 100% remote work and are now completely office-free.
As businesses transition back to the “new normal,” remote work will remain an integral part of our lives, and learning to do it well is essential.

Join us as we explore how one of the world’s most successful small companies manages to work remotely and make it work—for both the company and its employees.

The Time is Right for Remote Work
There are several reasons why remote work is now more viable than ever:

• Your best work doesn’t happen in small fragments
  The office is the last place people want to be to get meaningful work done. Offices are full of interruptions, making it difficult to concentrate on deep, creative, or strategic work.
• People are wasting their lives commuting.
  A 45-minute commute each way adds up to nearly 400 hours a year—10 full work weeks—just spent traveling to and from the office.
• Most work doesn’t need to be done from 9-5.
  Advances in technology enable asynchronous work, allowing people to structure their work around their energy levels and personal schedules, leading to greater productivity and well-being.

However, the 9-5 mindset is deeply ingrained, creating obstacles that must be overcome for remote work to thrive.

Dealing with Excuses
There are several common objections to remote work:

• “The magic only happens when we are in the same room.” While face-to-face collaboration can be beneficial, video conferencing tools have proven effective for creative and strategic work.

• “I can’t know if people are working if I can’t see them.” Unproductive workers will slack off whether they are in an office or at home. Remote work forces leaders to focus on actual output rather than time spent at a desk.
• “Home is full of distractions.” While true, office environments are equally, if not more, distracting. Remote workers can choose alternative locations like coffee shops or coworking spaces if needed.
• “Remote work is a security risk.” Proper security measures can mitigate risks, just as in-office security protocols do.
• “Big businesses don’t do it, so why should we?” Even before the pandemic, companies like IBM, Accenture, and eBay embraced remote work. Many more, including tech giants, have since followed suit.
• “We spent so much on office space.” This is an example of sunk cost bias—decisions about remote work should be based on its actual benefits, not past expenditures.

How to Collaborate Remotely
To make remote work effective, companies must focus on key strategies:

• Ensure overlapping work hours. At least four hours of shared working time per day allows for essential collaboration.
• Maintain the social aspect of work. Encourage virtual “water cooler” chats to keep the team engaged.
• Keep everyone informed. Weekly updates on work progress help maintain transparency and alignment.
• Reduce unnecessary meetings. Avoid the trap of overloading schedules with video calls, which can hinder productivity and cause burnout.

Beware the Dragons

Even with proper setup, remote work has challenges:

• Cabin fever. Working from home constantly can lead to anxiety. Mix things up by working in different locations.
• Work-life balance issues. The biggest issue with remote work is not underwork, but overwork. Create clear boundaries to prevent burnout.
• Bad testing methods. Sending one employee remote isn’t an accurate test. Instead, test remote work with an entire team and evaluate performance.
• Skeptical clients and stakeholders. Address concerns head-on and ensure high-quality work output during the transition.

Hiring and Retaining the Best

Remote work expands the talent pool, allowing businesses to hire the best employees regardless of location. To make hiring effective:

• Evaluate candidates by their work samples. Assess designers through portfolios, customer service reps through simulated questions, etc.
• Meet candidates in person if possible. In-person meetings help assess punctuality, professionalism, and cultural fit.
• Keep exceptional employees. Strong teams improve over time. Offer unique benefits, like funding employee hobbies, to create loyalty.

Managing Remote Workers

To effectively manage remote teams:

• Decide on the timing of remote work. If remote work is in your company’s future, start implementing it as soon as possible.
• Focus on verifying work output. Managers should concentrate on what employees produce rather than when or where they work.
• Hold frequent one-on-one meetings. Maintain open communication for both work performance and team connection.
• Encourage occasional in-person interactions. Meeting in person from time to time strengthens relationships and collaboration.
• Watch for overwork, not underwork. Prevent burnout by ensuring employees set boundaries between work and personal life.

Life as a Remote Worker

To succeed as a remote worker:

• Establish a work routine. Dressing for work and following a schedule can improve focus.
• Structure the day into chunks. Include time for catching up, collaborating, and deep work.
• Have a dedicated workspace. Avoid using multipurpose spaces for work.
• Experiment with different work locations. Find the best environments for different types of work.

Conclusion

The way we work is evolving, and remote work is here to stay. By implementing these strategies, businesses and individuals can make remote work successful, productive, and fulfilling.