Hybrid Work Lessons from Atlassian, Dropbox, Remote.com

Today’s workforce thrives on flexibility, and companies are embracing innovative remote work models to attract top talent and boost productivity.  

This article dives into three industry leaders who are redefining how work gets done: Dropbox, Remote.com, and Atlassian. We’ll explore their unique approaches to remote work – from fostering collaboration with a mix of synchronous and asynchronous communication to empowering geographically dispersed teams with robust knowledge-sharing practices.  

Get ready to discover the future of work, where location takes a backseat to results, and flexibility reigns supreme. 

Remote Work Styles: A Look Inside Dropbox, Remote.com, and Atlassian 

1. Dropbox: The cloud storage giant, Dropbox, embraces a Virtual-First approach to remote work. This means that remote work is the default for all employees, regardless of location.  

To ensure effective collaboration, Dropbox uses a hybrid approach that combines synchronous and asynchronous communication. During core collaboration hours, employees take part in meetings to discuss projects and ideas.  

Outside these hours, Dropbox uses a variety of asynchronous communication tools like email, Slack, Jira, and Zoom to keep productivity and flexibility.  

They’ve even created “neighborhoods” within Slack, which are local Slack groups that foster social connections among geographically dispersed employees. 

2. Remote.com: As the name suggests, Remote.com is all about remote work. They operate with a Remote-First model, meaning their employees work from various locations around the world. Here, asynchronous communication reigns supreme. 

 Employees primarily rely on Slack for quick updates and discussions, while Notion serves as a central hub for in-depth documentation and knowledge sharing. Short video explanations are facilitated through Loom.  

Meetings are held occasionally for specific purposes, but the emphasis is on clear and readily available documentation to reduce communication overload and promote a “search first” culture. 

3. Atlassian: Atlassian, the software company known for project management and collaboration tools like Jira, offers a Team Anywhere approach. 

This means employees have the flexibility to choose where they work, whether it’s the office, home, or a hybrid model. Atlassian allows teams to determine their preferred communication style. They likely utilize a variety of tools like email, Slack, internal communication platforms, and project management software.  

While geographically dispersed teams rely heavily on asynchronous communication, Atlassian recognizes the importance of in-person connection. They strategically plan in-person gatherings three times a year to foster team building. Additionally, Atlassian has transformed their offices into hubs for collaboration, where employees can choose to work together in person when desired. 

Digging Deeper: Remote Work at Dropbox 

Dropbox has over 2,000 remote employees in 11 countries.   

Dropbox launched its Virtual First program in April 2021. By the second quarter of 2022, a survey revealed a significant benefit for employees: over 75% reported feeling a better work-life balance.  

But the perks go beyond skipping the commute. The program empowers employees to choose where they live, a major advantage in attracting talent. This freedom is reflected in Dropbox’s recruitment success: applications per job posting nearly doubled and the offer acceptance rates soared by 126%. It seems location flexibility is a game-changer for top talent. 

In an internal survey, 70% of Dropbox employees felt that they feel more effective in a virtual environment, rather than in an office.  

Also, 76% said they’ve been able to create uninterrupted time for getting work done, and 70% said they’re using non-linear workdays to adopt more fluid schedules. 

While the move to Virtual First brought clear benefits, it also presented challenges. The increased reliance on digital communication has created a deluge of messages, meetings, and notifications. This “information overload” makes it difficult for employees to focus and find the crucial information they need amidst the constant “noise” generated by collaboration tools.  

How did Dropbox face this challenge? 

Dropbox recognizes that asynchronous communication is crucial for success, but employees need better guidance. They’re tackling this by: 

• Simplifying communication: Fewer channels and improved systems are planned. 
• Providing resources: “Virtual First Quick Tips” offer actionable advice and point towards existing resources like toolkits, podcasts, and playbooks. 
• Building new tools: Based on employee and customer feedback, they’re developing solutions like Dropbox Capture for screen recording feedback. The employees are also using Dropbox Sign for streamlined digital signatures. These tools aim to reduce communication hurdles and improve asynchronous collaboration. 

Moving further on the focusing topic, here’s how Dropbox approaches the issue: 

• Setting boundaries: 76% of employees find the model allows for dedicated focus time. Flexible scheduling allows for dedicated collaboration blocks as well. 
• Effective meetings: The “3 D’s” (discussion, debate, decision) guide meetings, but improvements are planned based on feedback. Consistency in agendas, notes, and action items is key. They’re also exploring time zone-friendly meeting practices. 
• Focus resources: “Quick Tips” promote internal playbooks and offer guidance on setting Focus mode, focus check-ins, and scheduling meetings around peak energy levels. 
• Shorter, frequent breaks: Research suggests these can improve focus and well-being. Experimentation with team rituals around meeting times and “walk & talk 1:1s” are planned to incorporate breaks and movement. 
• AI-powered tools: Dropbox is developing tools like Dropbox Dash (universal search) and Dropbox AI (summarization) to minimize distractions and help employees find information efficiently. 

Digging Deeper: Async Working inside Remote.com 

Remote.com’s unique approach to remote work emphasizes asynchronous communication and transparency. 

This is why most work happens asynchronously, minimizing real-time meetings and maximizing focus time. Async working means that open communication and information sharing are key. Everything is documented thoroughly in public channels. 

Key Practices: 

• 3Ms Methodology: Inspired by Toyota’s Production System, this prioritizes asynchronous work, embraces agility with smaller tasks, and focuses on clear documentation. 
• “Search First, Ask Later”: Extensive documentation (Notion) minimizes unnecessary communication. 
• The Warm Hand-off Protocol: Ensures clear task ownership during handoffs between team members. 
• Single Source of Truth (SSoT): Different tools like GitLab, Notion, Asana manage specific data types to avoid confusion. 

More aspects Remote.com excels in, while having a virtual way of working: 

• Onboarding and DEI initiatives: Buddy program eases new hires’ transition, while DEIB efforts promote a diverse and inclusive workplace. 
• Transparency in hiring: Clear information about the interview process and company culture is provided to potential candidates. 
• Extensive knowledge sharing: They publicly share a wealth of information including handbooks, policies, and best practices across various departments (engineering, design, product) for the benefit of the remote work community. 

Remote’s handbook is publicly available here. 

Digging Deeper: Managing Distributed Teams at Atlassian 

Atlassian has 10k+ employees across 13 countries. Back in 2023, Atlassian has been nominated in the Best Places to Work by Glassdoor as well as Fortune.   

Atlassian’s “Team Anywhere” philosophy breaks down location barriers. This empowers employees to choose their work environment (office, home, or hybrid) while fostering seamless collaboration across borders. This flexibility not only attracts top global talent but also cultivates an innovative and efficient work culture that benefits both employees and customers. 

“We’re finding that…each time we measure the impact of Team Anywhere on our business, we see positive outcomes across the board.” 

Annie Dean, VP Team Anywhere (Unleash interview) 

Atlassian tackles teamwork challenges head-on with their innovative Team Playbook. They were developed with geographically dispersed hybrid teams in mind. The Playbook offers a collection of “Plays” – interactive exercises designed to address common team issues like supporting high service standards or keeping project goals aligned. 

Plays streamline communication and reduce unnecessary meetings, freeing up valuable time for teams. They are a blend of original ideas and best practices from teamwork experts, incorporating elements from Agile, Lean, and Design Thinking methodologies. 

Atlassian generously shares the Playbook and its Plays as a free resource, licensed under Creative Commons. 

When Atlassian celebrated their 1,000 days of their “Team Anywhere” milestone, here’s what they learned:  

Happier, More Productive Employees:  

Employees save 10 days/year on commutes. 

• 92% feel Team Anywhere allows them to do their best work. 
• 91% credit it as a key reason for staying with Atlassian. 

Talent Acquisition Boost:  

• The number of job applicants has doubled. 
• Offer acceptance rate has jumped by 20%. 

Financial Advantages:  

• Reduced real estate needs likely save significant costs. 
• No productivity dip despite the shift. 

Company Culture Thrives:  

• Atlassian climbed 40 spots to #7 on Fortune’s “Best Companies to Work For” list. 
• Diverse workforce growth – women in India doubled their representation. 

Meetings Optimized, Focus Enhanced:  

• Employees spend less time in meetings (13% decrease). 
• They report a 32% improvement in focus. 

The Power of In-Person Connection:  

• Team gatherings boost feelings of connection by 27% (lasting 4-5 months). 
• Atlassian plans in-person gatherings three times a year to keep this connection. 

Conclusions 

The future of work is undoubtedly flexible, and these three companies offer a glimpse into how remote work can be implemented successfully.  

Dropbox proves the effectiveness of a hybrid approach, balancing synchronous meetings with asynchronous communication tools to improve collaboration and focus.  

Remote.com champions a structured asynchronous workflow, prioritizing clear documentation to empower a global, distributed workforce.  

Atlassian has developed methods (plays) to help their globally distributed teams perform and communicate well across various time zones. Atlassian allows teams to tailor their communication style, fostering a mix of synchronous and asynchronous interactions while valuing the power of occasional in-person gatherings.  

Ultimately, the ideal remote work model depends on a company’s culture, team dynamics, and industry. However, the strategies employed by Dropbox, Remote.com, and Atlassian provide valuable insights for any organization considering a shift towards a more remote or hybrid work environment. 

By prioritizing clear communication, fostering a strong company culture, and investing in tools and processes that support remote collaboration, companies can empower their employees to thrive in a geographically dispersed work landscape.