Celebrating 10 years : 2013 - 2023

Insights into our digital-first work culture

October 24th 2024

By Emily

Gone are the days of rigid 9-to-5 schedules, stuffy offices, and the endless commute. For us, embracing a digital-first work culture has been a game-changer, and it’s not just about working from home in your pyjamas. It’s about crafting a work environment that’s flexible, productive, and—dare we say it—enjoyable.

So how do we pull it off? With a fully flexible remote model, a 4.5-day work week, and a tech stack that keeps us seamlessly connected, here’s a peek behind the curtain at how we make it all work.

A 4.5-day week—why less is more

We’re not interested in clocking in just to clock in. Our 4.5-day work week is designed to give us a bit of extra breathing room without sacrificing productivity. It’s about quality over quantity. Friday afternoons? They’re for recharging, pursuing personal projects, or just taking a much-needed break.

What we’ve found is that by giving ourselves more time off, we’ve actually become more focused during the time we do work. A shortened week means making every minute count. And it works.

Fully flexible remote working

Work from home, a coffee shop, a beach, or wherever you feel most productive. That’s the beauty of a fully remote setup. We trust our team to get the job done—no matter where they are or when they choose to work. Flexibility is the name of the game, and it’s made all the difference.

Of course, even in the most flexible environments, a little structure helps. Every morning, we kick off the day with a 9:15 AM team call, where we sync up, set goals, and make sure everyone’s on the same page. After that, the day is yours to structure as you like.

Our holy grail: Notion

If there’s one tool we can’t live without, it’s Notion. This platform is the glue that holds everything together. From project management and brainstorming sessions to team wikis and tracking goals, Notion is our go-to for keeping everything organised.

It’s how we manage our entire business. Need to find meeting notes from last month or check the status of a project? Notion’s got it all in one place, no fuss.

The tech stack that powers us

While Notion may be our holy grail, it’s not the only tech tool in our arsenal. Our work days are powered by a carefully chosen set of platforms that make remote working not just possible, but effortless.

  • Forecast for project management and resource planning
  • Harvest for time tracking and budgeting
  • CharlieHR for handling all things HR
  • Slack to keep communication flowing
  • Figma for creative collaboration and design work
  • Dropbox for file sharing and storage
  • Pitch for building stunning presentations

Each tool has a purpose, and together, they create a tech ecosystem that allows us to collaborate smoothly, no matter where in the world we’re working.

Meet ups that matter

Just because we work remotely doesn’t mean we never see each other in person. In fact, we make it a point to get together regularly. Our meet ups give us the chance to connect, brainstorm, and strengthen the bonds we’ve built online. These meet ups are often a mix of work and play, and they’re crucial for maintaining a sense of team spirit.

Then there’s our annual summer getaway—a long weekend away to unplug and reset. This year we jetted off to sunny Bilbao! It’s the perfect opportunity to combine fun, culture, and team bonding.

 

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Remote doesn’t mean disconnected

Working remotely can sometimes feel isolating, but not here. We’ve created a culture where communication is key. Whether it’s via Slack for quick updates or our daily 9:15 AM team call, we make sure everyone’s in the loop. Regular check-ins and a collaborative environment mean that no one ever feels like they’re going it alone.

But we also understand that constant communication can lead to burnout. That’s why we encourage everyone to unplug when needed. Flexibility doesn’t just apply to where we work but how we work. Some days you need a breather, and that’s perfectly fine with us.

Final thoughts

We’ve embraced this digital-first approach not just because it works for our business, but because it works for us as people. By blending structure with freedom, investing in the right tools, and making time to connect—both online and off—we’ve built a work environment that’s both productive and enjoyable. One thing’s for sure: remote work doesn’t mean we miss out on the important stuff—it just means we get to do it our way.

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We are a Creative Digital Agency based in Clerkenwell London, specialising in Creative Web Design, Web Development, Branding and Digital Marketing.