We started Strut at home, and to home Strut has returned. Rather than occupying a single physical office, Strut is everywhere. In our team’s many home offices, and in the home provinces and home countries of our many clients. We’ve gone borderless. Here’s why.
1. Creative flow
One of the most valuable benefits of adopting remote work was the noticeable increase in flow-time, and productivity. Strut’s office was full of distractions. Frequent meetings, impromptu discussions, and general office noise often interrupted workflow and reduced focus. Remote work lets Strutters create their own optimal work environment.
2. Work-life balance
Remote work unlocks greater work-life balance and happiness. The flexibility that comes with a full remote model provides a huge amount of flexibility. It lets us shift office hours across time zones, save hundreds of hours of commuting every year, and provides the ability to more nimbly manage personal and professional needs throughout the work week.
3. Enhanced team collaboration
With an experienced team who can often read each-other’s minds, we don’t need to be in the same room to collaborate effectively. Ironically, with remote work we often find it easier and quicker to collaborate, since we’re only a few keystrokes, or a quick Zoom or huddle, away from each other. No need to book a meeting, or wait for a formal response to a request. We’re often solving clients’ problems collaboratively in real time.
4. A broader talent pool
Remote work removes geographical barriers for our own team. Our clients come from all over the place, why shouldn’t our Strutters? Tapping into a wider talent pool means when we find someone who’s right for the team, they can come aboard regardless of commuting distance. Being open to hiring talented individuals across Canada has allowed us to attract diverse candidates from different backgrounds and perspectives, boosting innovation and creativity.
5. Client-friendly collaboration
Over the years Strut has worked with clients across Canada and all over the world. Most of our clients have never set foot in a Strut office. We learned a long time ago that hybrid client meetings didn’t work very well. Even with advanced videoconferencing tools, combining physical and virtual attendees always puts someone at a disadvantage. Clients expect to work remotely with us, and now that we’re all remote, we’ve found collaboration with clients is seamless and stronger.
6. Scalability and resilience
Working remotely means we’re prepared for the unexpected: Whether it’s a snowstorm or a pandemic, or a change in client needs, our remote model allows us to keep running effectively no matter what. Working remotely also makes it easier to scale our team, and more deeply integrate our contract partners, when we’re not tied to a physical office space and the working processes that demands. It helps us adapt more quickly to changes around us, and in the business.
7. Lower expenses
Next to Strutters’ salaries, our office was our largest line item. It was our most significant expense that provided the lowest return on investment. Moving to a full remote working model significantly lowers our overhead. But going office-less didn’t just lower Strut’s costs, it has led to reduced expenses for every Strutter in areas as diverse as commuting and childcare.
Strut still stands for the same things it did when we started two and a half decades ago: Smart ideas, expert execution, and gathering interesting people who defy boundaries and enjoy making big new things a reality.
Aaron Salus
Strategist, Partner
Benefits beyond borderless
The benefits of adopting a remote work model at Strut have been clear: increased productivity, cost savings, improved work-life balance, access to a broader talent pool, and more. Beyond breaking down geographical barriers, the flexibility it affords has meant happier clients and colleagues. As the workplace continues to evolve in the digital age, remote work is no longer just an interesting trend, but a powerful strategy that enables creative businesses like Strut to thrive.
As the sign comes off the building and we reminisce about countless good times, it’s heartwarming to know that Strut still stands for the same things it did when we started two and a half decades ago: Smart ideas, expert execution, and gathering interesting people who defy boundaries and enjoy making big new things a reality.