The big question for credit unions, as well as any organization, is how can you maintain or create a great environment in remote locations? Despite the fact that you may live in different places, it is possible to create an environment where everyone can thrive, enjoy coming into work, and make their best contributions.
While not all jobs can be done from the office, many employees are enjoying and embracing the freedom and flexibility that comes with working from home. Many leaders are having trouble with their remote workforce. Many people want their workers to return to the office to maintain collaboration and camaraderie. Here’s my message for leaders: Accept the remote evolution with open arms. Remote workers can achieve all the things you desire for your credit union and your team.
Vizo Financial Corporate Credit Union has listened to its employees and continued to do remote work with overwhelmingly positive outcomes. Gallup’s Q12 is an ongoing, 12-item survey that measures employee engagement. This term was popularized by Gallup. Engaged employees have a passion for their work and a positive outlook on their workplace. They are willing to put in a lot of effort. Engaged employees are the backbone for a productive and enjoyable workplace. An engaged employee has the following benefits:
- Accepting responsibility for their performance and attitude in work
- Do not let a problem become an excuse to inaction
- Being proactive in their approach
- Rarely complaining or blaming others.
- Consistently going above & beyond what is necessary
I’m sure you can think of employees who fit this description as you read the list. Imagine a credit union with these people. How much would the employee experience as well as member experience and overall productivity improve?
Vizo Financial is proud that 83% (as reported in our 2021 End-of-year Survey) of our workforce are engaged. This is more than twice the national average of 35%. We have several advantages that help us maintain a strong culture in remote settings. One is the longevity of our team. People have worked with their co-workers and team members for many years. Our IT department is top-notch and ensures that everyone has the technology they need to stay connected, even when there are no plans.
However, many companies with long-term employees have seen their culture suffer. We actively and deliberately work to ensure that our culture thrives. We have been sending out daily emails with encouraging stories, contests and interactive games, as well as video interviews to our employees since March 2020. This allows us to get to know each other better, even though we are often far apart. We also have a series of weekly, 30-minute, voluntary virtual events to keep people connected and learning.
- Friday Chat and ChewThis is a lunchtime activity that lets us play games and have some fun at end of the week.
- Snacks & StrengthsWe aim to be a strengths-based company where people are encouraged to be themselves and get more done in the things they enjoy. CliftonStrengths is a tool that helps individuals to assess their strengths and maximize potential. Each session focuses on one CliftonStrength to help people gain a deeper understanding about their natural gifts.
- Leaders at LunchManagers of all levels gather here to exchange ideas and share best practices. The sessions leave attendees with a new perspective and a stronger connection with their colleagues.
- Connection ClubsThese are gatherings that take place at the end-of-the day for people with similar interests to discuss a topic. Some Connection Clubs are focused on movies, technology, parenting, novels, and sports.
Before we started working remotely, we already used virtual meetings to bring together our entire employee base from all four campuses. This allowed us to learn, strengthen relationships, and ensure everyone understood the corporate. These included:
- Monthly meetings to discuss our vision, values and teamwork;
- Monthly sessions that focus on leadership development;
- Bi-annual all staff meetings and quarterly meetings with managers.
These meetings are still held remotely and have been a success in bringing people closer together.
Finally, our executive team is committed to engaging employees and building a culture that supports remote workers. They encourage employees to attend these sessions, and even invite them to join them.
Senior leaders are the architects and managers carry the culture. Vizo Financial is an excellent example of how credit union leadership can create a strong foundation. This means that whether people work in the office, on a flexible schedule, or in remote locations, the culture of the credit union can thrive and last.
Joe BertottoJoe Bertotto Chief Culture Officer Vizo Financial Corporate CU Greensboro, N.C.