The workplace is changing, and with the unexpected work-from-home situation many people found themselves in over the past two years, there’s a great shift happening.
More and more people are navigating how to run a successful virtual business while discovering the happiness that working from home can bring.
After more than 17 years of owning and operating ZOO Media Group, Sandra and Chris Dugas share their perspective on how to have it all from the comfort of your own space.
Going Virtual Before It Was a Thing
Just over 17 years ago, this husband-and-wife duo decided to forgo the 9 to 5 grind to pursue their dream of developing a creative and web development agency that would serve the marketing needs of businesses across North America.
With their combined strengths in project management, communications and marketing, Sandra and Chris launched ZOO and immediately began engaging companies who shared their vision of engaging people-focused branding.
With so many effective technologies available today and the necessary remote work during the pandemic, virtual companies no longer have the stigma they once did.
Many fully-virtual businesses are thriving in today’s digital world.
The Dugas’ have built a loyal client base by thinking of their clients as partners. They’ve curated a talented team of digital craftspeople that develop unique strategies with meaningful results.
This trust typically leads to long-term relationships with both clients and their teams.
A virtual digital agency has provided Sandra and Chris with far more benefits than a traditional brick-and-mortar shop would have.
Working from home allows for more freedom, flexibility, and time with family and friends. No commute to the office means a double savings – time and money.
Those extra moments improve health and fitness habits with more bike rides, hikes, or home-cooked, healthy meals.
As gas prices continue to rise, ditching the commute can save you a good portion of your monthly fuel budget.
Your Business Is Legitimate, so Make Sure Your Brand Reflects That – And Your Values
Before creating ZOO, the Dugas’ decided on the values and key performance indicators that would differentiate their business.
They shook off the idea that an at-home business was any less legit than an in-office enterprise and crafted branding narratives that reflected their skill sets and client commitments.
When starting any business, you must consider your vision, mission, and target audience. Determine what factors make your business distinct and create a strong brand.
Your brand helps define your company, creates a presence, and builds trust with your clients. Online businesses require as much attention to developing their brand as traditional businesses to survive and thrive.
Equally as important, you must deliver consistently through your logo, promotional material, and on and offline collateral.
That way, wherever potential clients find you, they will recognize your brand and associate it with the positive traits you’ve infused in these important message carriers.
Building a strong online presence and brand means building trust with your clients. Without trust, your virtual business will not last long.
How to Manage a Virtual Team, While Keeping Morale High and Employees Motivated
For years, people have wondered if you can be as productive and collaborative via a virtual environment as you can be through face-to-face interactions.
We’re (virtually) here to tell you, if you know how to take advantage of proper project management systems and employ the right people, you will be able to nurture incredible collaborations from your home office.!
Managing a virtual team means establishing your expectations for when and how your employees will work and how you will monitor their performance.
There are more than enough online platforms to support your productivity and keep you in touch with your team members and clients.
Test out a few different tools, such as Zoom, Teams, Asana, Basecamp, Trello, etc., to decide your preference. Then, provide your team with sufficient training and put accountability measures in place, so you can maintain your commitments to your clients without overwhelming your staff.
Boosting and maintaining employee morale means keeping your team engaged and committed. Never underestimate the benefit of employee recognition.
Whether it’s a simple verbal or written compliment or a more structured reward system, we all need to hear when we’ve done a great job.
Communication is key – especially when working virtually. Don’t just check in on tasks – build authentic relationships with your staff and keep some aspects of your interactions purely social. After all, just because we live in a virtual world does not mean we’re robots!
Strike a Balance Between Living & Working at Home
One potential downside of working at home is that it’s harder to separate the workday from your free time.
To reduce the confusion and prevent yourself from working 24/7, you need to set parameters around your office hours.
Do this by creating an official home office – separate from where you usually socialize, relax and eat. That way, you still get to “commute” from your workplace to your home and vice versa, so mentally, you get to separate the two.
Also, don’t forget to get up, stretch, eat lunch and go for walks just like you would when taking a break at the office.
Don’t let your work bleed into everything you do; be sure to step away from your professional inbox when it is appropriate. Friends and family time is precious, so leverage your notification settings accordingly and allow yourself to disconnect.
Working at home can be an amazing way to spend more time with your kids. Depending on their ages, you can tailor your schedule to suit their needs.
If you have pre-schoolers, you may be able to work during naptime and in the evenings after they’re in bed. Older kids will appreciate your flexibility when it comes to after-school activities.
Adjusting your hours is a huge perk of working from home but be sure to establish your boundaries and be firm about sticking with them.
When it’s family time, close the office door and give your children your full attention.
It can get lonely without the water cooler chit-chat with your coworkers. Even the most-introverted individuals need a certain amount of interaction.
Stay active and connected in your community through clubs, networking groups, and volunteering. Not only are they a great way to give back and feel a sense of personal satisfaction, but you never know what potential clients you might bump into.
Be Happy, Productive & Creative by Mastering the Work-From-Home Lifestyle
If the idea of greater flexibility, more time with family and friends, and saving money has inspired you to restructure your working life to suit your new goals, take some inspiration from Sandra and Chris Dugas.
After 17 years, ZOO Media Group has established itself as a professional team of creatives that deliver top-notch marketing, creativity, and web development.
They have successfully positioned themselves in the digital market from the comfort of their own home while leaving plenty of time for family, hobbies, and traveling.
Today’s digital platforms make it easy for you to follow the same path. Discover all the perks of working from home with a successful virtual business. Now is the time to follow your dream.
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