Similarly, zolar, a German solar energy company, showcases the success of asynchronous work in enabling cross-border collaboration.
“The reduction of disruptions caused by synchronous communication, such as meetings and instant messages fosters deep work and concentration on tasks, leading to increased productivity,” says van der Voort.
“Additionally, asynchronous work promotes inclusivity for global teams, accommodating employees spread across multiple time zones without compromising work-life balance.
“This inclusive approach respects diverse lifestyles, building a sense of belonging and engagement among team members.”
Asynchronous work also enhances cost and resource efficiency by reducing the need for time-consuming synchronous meetings, allowing employees to redirect saved time and resources toward more productive work activities.
“Lastly, the flexibility inherent in asynchronous work contributes to better employee well-being, reducing stress, and the risk of burnout,” says van der Voort.
Job van der Voort, CEO and co-founder of Remote.
“At Remote, we operate completely asynchronously. The benefits of asynchronous work have impacted our employee’s productivity and engagement in many ways. Over the course of five years, our company has grown to over 1400 internal employees representing 91 nationalities and we are still growing really fast in terms of operations and businesses.”
Setting explicit expectations ensures alignment within teams, fostering trust and accountability essential for asynchronous collaboration.
Future trends
Looking ahead, the future of remote work is intertwined with asynchronous communication.
“Future trends in remote work, particularly in the adoption of asynchronous communication, are likely to be shaped by several emerging patterns and technological advancements,” says van der Voort.
“As organisations continue to embrace remote work, there will be a growing reliance on tools designed to facilitate asynchronous communication, such as platforms supporting project management, collaborative document editing, and task tracking.
“This shift will be particularly beneficial for global teams working across different time zones, reducing the need for late-night or early morning meetings.”
Virtual collaboration technologies will continue to evolve, providing more immersive and interactive experiences, such as enhanced video conferencing tools with asynchronous capabilities, virtual reality (VR) workspaces, and augmented reality (AR) applications.
“There will also be a cultural shift towards evaluating employee performance based on outcomes rather than hours worked, fostering greater trust and autonomy among employees.”
To maximise the benefits of asynchronous communication, companies will invest in training employees on best practices for remote work.
As younger generations join the workforce, their preferences for remote and flexible work models will drive organisational adaptation.
According to Remote’s Global Benefits Report, 63 per cent of Millennials and 76 per cent of Gen Z surveyed express a preference for hybrid or remote work models, signalling a need for companies to align with evolving workforce dynamics.
van der Voort has also created an async masterclass for those who want to steepen their learning curve.
“The masterclass enables those interested to learn the fundamentals and understand how they can be implemented in their companies,” says van der Voort.
In addition to the async masterclass, Remote has an entire section on asynchronous work in its public handbook that can serve as a guide.
“It goes into: how do you work asynchronously? How do you communicate and document what you are doing? How do you run meetings, and in it specifically are some tips for people managers,” he says.
Async work boosts talent pool
Marc Woodford, zolar’s recruitment manager, says the ability to hire globally “increases our talent pool significantly”.
The German solar energy company was founded in 2016 with a vision for sustainability, and actively seeking employees who share this mission.
Their commitment to saving the planet has propelled them beyond German borders, expanding their workforce to over 450 employees spread across Europe.
At the heart of zolar’s success in managing their diverse asynchronous teams is their partnership with Remote, a partner that aligns seamlessly with their values.
The collaboration with Remote has opened doors for zolar, enabling them to tap into a global talent pool of environmentally conscious individuals eager to contribute to the company’s mission.
“The ability to hire globally gives us much greater diversity as a business,” Woodford says. This diversity not only enriches zolar’s workforce but also fosters a culture of innovation and adaptability, essential for a company driving change in the renewable energy sector.
“As a recruiter, my value to the business is in knowing where all the great candidates are,” says Woodford. “If I then had to think about the complexities of where people live, it would be a huge, huge barrier to overcome.”
van der Voort says Remote enables zolar’s team to “collaborate effectively while working on their own schedules”.
“This flexibility not only fostered productivity but also enabled zolar to access talent beyond German borders, supporting their mission of combating climate change,” says van der Voort.
“Leveraging Remote’s platform for global hiring and payroll needs, zolar navigated the complexities of international recruitment and compliance seamlessly.
“In essence, zolar’s adoption of asynchronous work and reliance on Remote exemplify how companies can effectively manage global teams while staying committed to their mission and values.”
To learn more, please visit Remote.