This is a quick guide to best practices in our fully distributed company. Some of what we’ll share you may already be practicing (in which case, awesome), some will be common sense.
Please give it a full read, and you’ll likely pick up a few tips and tricks that will help you, and by result, everyone else at N3TWORK, too.
N3TWORK’s values inform and permeate this guide.
Consider it a companion to our Culture Book.
These values, along with our people and practices, define our culture. If we get the culture right, all the other stuff follows – delighted employees and customers, great products and business.
Go check out the N3TWORK CULTURE BOOK for more insights.
If you’re the writer, be crystal clear and explicit about why, what, when, and how.
If you’re the receiver, acknowledge receipt of said request and respond with a timeline.
Always have your video on during a videoconference (see API above).
Show you’re paying attention: actively listen and feed back what you’re hearing. Focus on the person on the screen. Single task.
Speak up: communicate honestly and intentionally.
Admit mistakes: do not judge others mistakes – only learn from them.
Join a N3TWORK meditation session or use your dedicated stipend for a wellness app.
Use N3TWORK’s 30 min Personal Break to refresh and clear your mind.
Stretch, eat, whatever.
Walk, bike, even do a N3TWORK Yoga session.
Define a start and end time to your work day – and stick to it.
Collaboration & Communication that happens over time and through a digital artifact. (eg. Google Doc, Notion, email thread)
Real-time/Live N:N meetings that happen over video conference, or over the telephone.
SHARING
Meant to bring team members up to speed with progress updates, or request feedback. (eg. Status, Alignment, Feedback)
SOLVING
Specific to an initiative or project and focused on solving for challenges or opportunities. (eg. Live Ops, Bug-fixes, Coaching)
STEERING
Helps maintain the operational and directional heartbeat of the company. (eg. All Hands, Active Standups)
SPONTANEOUS
2-3 people jamming on ideas, 1:1 virtual coffee (eg. Brainstorming)
One person should be responsible for meeting quality and outcomes.
Don’t schedule full or half-hour meetings – allow for time to mentally reset.
If you are the meeting owner, please send the following at least 24-48 hours in advance:
If you are a participant, please thoroughly review all Presentation Materials ahead of time.
Begin and end on time – try to finish early.
During your meeting, open an active Google Doc or Notion page to take notes and memorialize the source of truth.
Only used in STEERING meetings.
For people who couldn’t attend.
Owner closes with a recap, next steps, and actions items.
Meet up with fellow N3TWORKers in your area.
Find colleagues with common interests or have virtual coffee with someone you’ve never met.
Hobbies, pets, shower thoughts.
Set up a themed happy hour for you and your buddies.
Crank the tunes. Turn up the heat. Whatever works to make yourself comfortable and ready to get after it.
Sick of the city? Head to the country! As the long as the WiFi is good and the timezones work for other team members, you can live there.
Enjoy being home on time for dinner or a sunset hike with friends.
Bike at lunch. Pick up the guitar. Use the extra time and flexibility to do something good for yourself.
*Contact Biz Ops to figure out what’s possible for you.
