Remote work has undoubtedly become one of the defining trends of the year 2020. With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing millions of people worldwide to work from home, remote work has now become the new normal. And as more and more companies are realizing its benefits, remote work is rapidly turning into a trend. But what’s fascinating is that some companies were already embracing remote work before the pandemic, and they happen to be the great employers on the globe. These forward-thinking and innovative companies were well ahead of the curve and had already developed robust remote work policies and procedures. They have mastered the art of managing remote teams and even enjoyed remarkable productivity and success, making them some of the top remote companies of 2020. In this article, we will explore those top companies that are revolutionizing the remote work landscape and setting a benchmark for others to follow. We will investigate what makes these companies stand out and why they should be on the list of every remote worker or employer’s radar.
Criteria for Selecting Top Remote Companies
To determine the top remote companies of 2020, we looked at various factors that reflect what makes a company great in terms of remote work. We considered:
- Flexibility – companies with flexible working hours and the ability to work from home or other remote locations
- Remote culture – companies with a culture that embraces and supports remote work
- Technology – companies with the tools and infrastructure to support remote teams
- Communication – companies with effective communication channels to keep remote workers connected and engaged
- Employee satisfaction – companies with high employee satisfaction ratings, especially from their remote workers
These five criteria were instrumental in narrowing down the list of top remote companies. We also took into account various industry awards, recognition and certifications that the companies have earned. With this framework in mind, we were able to identify some of the top remote companies worthy of recognition. Some of the award-winning remote companies that meet these standards include:
Hotjar
- Helps businesses understand user behavior on their websites and build better digital experiences
- Offers a Work Anywhere policy for its remote employees, allowing them to set their own schedules and work from anywhere in the world
- Provides an excellent onboarding process to allow remote workers to settle in quickly and effectively
GitLab
- An online Git repository that offers a DevOps platform as well
- Requires remote work for all employees, which makes the company 100% remote
- Provides a transparent work culture where everything, from code changes to financials, is out there for everyone to see
Buffer
- A social media management tool for businesses
- Offers an entirely remote team with team members distributed across continents
- Focuses on employee engagement with virtual watercooler chats and an annual in-person meetup
What makes a good remote company?
- Clear communication channels and protocols
- Trust in employees to get their work done independently
- Flexible scheduling to accommodate different time zones
- Ability to foster team camaraderie and collaboration despite physical distance
- Well-thought-out workflows and processes to ensure efficiency and productivity
- Strong reliance on technology to keep everyone connected
List of Top Remote Companies
Below is the list of top remote companies that made the cut for 2020:
Company | Industry | Location | Employees |
---|---|---|---|
Hotjar | Software | Malta | 101-250 |
InVision | Design | United States | 251-500 |
Buffer | Social Media Management | United States | 51-200 |
GitLab | Software | United States | 1001-5000 |
Doist | Productivity Software | Global | 51-200 |
Zapier | Automation Software | United States | 501-1000 |
All of these companies have consistently demonstrated excellence and innovation in remote work. Interesting facts about these top remote companies include:
- InVision has a remote-first culture where all employees work remotely, even before the pandemic.
- Doist‘s entire company is remote, yet they make sure their team members can bond through retreats, team building events, and a virtual social media platform.
- Buffer tracks and shares their salaries, which is a practice rarely heard of in the corporate world.
- GitLab only occasionally gathers all team members in one location. Most team members meet face to face, two or three at a time.
- Zapier has a “no code” culture, which means that all employees have the freedom to experiment and learn programming without going through formal education.
- Hotjar‘s entire team is distributed across continents with only one recurring meeting every week that every team member needs to attend.
These top remote companies have set the bar high for others in this field, and it’s only a matter of time before remote work becomes a new normal.
What companies are offering remote?
Here are some of the companies that are currently offering remote work opportunities:
- Amazon
- Apple
- Microsoft
- Netflix
- Shopify
Additionally, there are various websites like FlexJobs, Remote.co, We Work Remotely, and Remote OK that list remote job opportunities from a range of companies.
Company Accentus Solutions
Accentus Solutions is a top remote company that has been in the online editorial and transcription services industry for over 20 years. The company provides expert editorial and transcription services to an international client base. Here are some of the reasons why Accentus Solutions made the list of top remote companies for 2020:
- Accentus has an extensive system of documenting, sorting and retrieving audio files securely and confidentially for their clients
- The company has an efficient communication path for feedback and is highly responsive to clients, up to the end of the transaction.
- Their transcribers have excellent all-round language and research proficiency, with strict qualifications and testing.
- Accentus fluently translates over 60 languages and produces highly accurate and consistent texts that are easy to understand.
- Their services have the most cost-effective rates on the market, with a simple, user-friendly interface.
- The company has a 24-hour turnaround time guarantee.
For over two decades, Accentus Solutions has firmly established themselves in the remote company sphere, and have experienced great success in building a sustainable business model with their team of highly-skilled, dedicated and remote workers who work in the field of editorial and transcription services.
What is the largest all remote company?
The largest all remote company in the world is Automattic, the parent company of WordPress.com. Here are some quick facts about Automattic:
- Founded in 2005 by Matt Mullenweg, the co-founder of WordPress.
- Has over 1,200 employees, all working remotely from different countries and timezones.
- Offers a range of products and services, including WordPress.com, WooCommerce, Jetpack, Tumblr, and more.
- Valued at $3 billion as of 2019.
Benefits of Working for a Remote Company
Working for remote companies comes with numerous advantages that cannot be found in traditional office-bound jobs. Here are some of the benefits of working for a remote company:
Flexibility
- Remote jobs offer flexible schedules with no commute time to worry about, allowing for better work-life balance.
- Workers can choose where to work from, whether it be from home or overseas.
Increased Productivity and Performance
- Remote workers thrive in environments with fewer distractions.
- They enjoy a level of autonomy, which helps them attain better focus and productivity.
- Remote companies are adept at tracking progress, setting deadlines, and communication, which helps remote workers instill discipline.
Cost Saving
- Remote workers save money by not having to commute to work every day, pay for gas or car insurance.
- They also save money on work clothes and office lunches.
- Remote companies tend to offer more competitive salaries to entice top talent to work remotely.
Personal Development
- Many remote companies offer opportunities for their workers to develop their skills by providing training and development resources.
- Workers have more time outside their work schedules to participate in learning and self-improvement activities.
The benefits of working for remote companies are numerous, and the trend of remote work is shifting towards an even broader acceptance by both workers and companies.
What are advantages of working remotely?
- Flexible schedule
- No Commute Time
- Ability to Work from Anywhere
- Increased Productivity and Work-Life Balance
- Reduced Expenses
There are many advantages to working remotely, including flexibility in your schedule, the ability to work from anywhere, and reduced costs. If you’re interested in learning more about working remotely or finding tools and products to help you do so, be sure to check out websites like Remote.co or products like Zoom and Slack.
Challenges of Remote Work
While remote work has numerous benefits, it also comes with some unique challenges. Let’s highlight some of these challenges and ways to overcome them:
Communication Challenges
- Remote workers can feel isolated, and communication can be challenging without the same level of interaction and personal touch that comes with face-to-face interaction.
- Remote companies are increasingly leveraging various means of communication to enhance interaction, including videoconferencing tools, chat messaging apps, and project management software.
- Workers are encouraged to communicate more often and get to know their team members and managers better. Establishing a rapport makes it easier to voice concerns and feedback.
Self-Discipline
- Working from home or a foreign country can create distractions leading to plummeting productivity.
- To combat this, remote workers are encouraged to establish a designated workspace, prioritize work day schedule and maintain clear boundaries with friends and family.
- Remote companies help by setting clear expectations and offering support structures and tools for workers.
Work-Life Balance
- The lack of physical separation between home and work can create a blurred line in a remote worker’s personal and work life balance.
- To address this, remote workers should try dividing their work and personal life – set working hours, take breaks and keep away from their work desk during leisure time.
- Remote companies can create a conducive work environment to support work-life balance, by cultivating a supportive culture that encourages workers to take a break, switch off from work and enjoy some free time.
Remote work challenges can be successfully overcome, leading to more productivity and effectiveness in remote work environments.
What are the challenges of remote working and how can they be overcome?
- Isolation and loneliness.
- Lack of boundaries between work and personal life.
- Distractions and difficulty staying focused.
- Communication breakdowns with colleagues and clients.
- Equipment and technical issues.
To overcome these challenges:
- Stay connected with colleagues and schedule regular virtual meetings.
- Create a designated workspace and stick to a routine to set boundaries.
- Use productivity tools and minimize distractions.
- Establish clear communication protocols and practice active listening.
- Invest in reliable equipment and have a backup plan in case of technical difficulties.
For more tips on remote working, visit https://www.remote.tools/.
Conclusion
As remote work continues to grow, it offers numerous benefits to both companies and workers alike. The companies mentioned in this article have demonstrated expertise and success in the remote work arena, providing an ideal environment for anyone seeking to work remotely. While challenges do exist, there are numerous resources available to remote workers and companies to overcome them. By leveraging the benefits of remote work and mitigating its challenges, these companies can pave the way for a better work environment that allows people to work from anywhere in the world.
If you are interested in joining a remote company, we recommend applying to some of the companies listed in our article. With their proven track record of success, they offer an ideal environment for anyone seeking to thrive in a remote work scenario. Remember, working remotely has the potential to transform your life, and we hope this article has helped you learn more about it.
In conclusion, remote work is the future of work, and it’s here to stay. Embrace the change, and you’ll be surprised at the opportunities that await you.