Building a Strong Company Culture Without an Office

It seemed like your average baby shower. Michele Kornelis unwrapped miniature booties, adorable onesies, rattles and other gifts, many of them straight from her registry. There were cupcakes. The attendees-all of them Michele’s coworkers-played a baby-themed version of Price is Right and a guessing game revolving around the baby’s name. Smiles, tears, and well-wishes were in abundance.

Michele, however, was in Texas, while her baby shower guests were scattered throughout Florida, Idaho, Utah, and North Carolina. The gifts and cupcakes and been shipped prior to the event and the well-wishes and laughter were delivered via video chat.

It was a “virtual” team baby shower, yet the impact on Michele was very real. “I probably won’t have a baby shower here since family and friends are so far,” she said. “So my team throwing one means the world to me. It’s a memory my husband and I will cherish forever.” Though separated by thousands of miles, this small group of employees have formed a tight-knit bond.

Michele credits her team’s closeness to a strong company culture that encourages meaningful connections, open communication, and constant innovation. AnswerConnect’s mission is to change the way the world works by empowering people to work Anywhere. But work doesn’t happen in a vacuum.