Remote entrepreneurs are not alone. Every day is an assortment of unique challenges. Inexpensive Wi-Fi, missed calls, and timezone mismatches are all commonplace. How do you run an enterprise based on remoteness out of the most remote location on earth? Can you manage to manage a profitable business while traveling around the world? How can you make the most of these learning experiences to increase the growth of your business and generate more revenue? And run more efficiently?
In the spring of 2022, my cofounder and I traveled across Africa as we climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro and hiked across the world to visit one of the remotest lakes on earth, Lake Tele. All this while managing our small marketing company, comprised of more than 150 people. This was one of the most transformative experiences of my life and has provided us with unique insights that have clarified the importance of small entrepreneurship. Below are three lessons I’ve learned.
Managers can set the scene to ensure remote work is successful.
As with climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro and establishing a company that lets you travel around the world while maintaining growth is a step at each step, my cofounder and I have now reaped the benefits of a remote solid base. However, we had to confront and overcome numerous obstacles, many of which were unfamiliar to us entrepreneurs exploring their vastness.
What kind of infrastructure must be set up to facilitate this? We needed to know the answer to this question before being able to move around the world and run our business. Whatever your location, to remain at the top of your teams, systems, and results, small group leaders must create measurement methods that can surpass traditional management strategies. A systematic approach to the way work is accomplished is vital.
My company refers to it as the “GFW” or the “Galactic Fed Way.” The GFW is our company’s blueprint for all our activities, such as recruiting, marketing, training HR, sales, etc. We started documenting all of our processes as just two people, and now, as a group of over 150, It is maintained and as thorough as possible.
Suppose you’re not a remote enterprise owner but are trying to move into the field. If that’s the scenario, there are options to begin your journey right now. Make sure to limit calls by limiting them to some days each week. Encourage asynchronous work. Employees can work remotely for a couple of days per week or all week long.
Remote entrepreneurs can provide benefits to their businesses.
From the first look, the benefits of working remotely appear uncomplicated, having no office space or overhead and no travel time. However, I’ve discovered that the positive results for your company are much more extensive than you’d imagine.
Consider recruiting, for instance. You can find top talent from all over the world. This hiring strategy proved to be the case after returning from our 3-month trip to see our global agency functioning as usual. Returning to find that everything was in order was a great feeling. My team can perform their job and manage things without founders.
Additionally, necessity is the catalyst for creativity. I think that working remotely and traveling when running a business requires entrepreneurs to master time management and also exposes them to a different culture. According to my experience, it helps open you to learn new ideas about work and management theories and assist you in learning how to flow with the flow and be more relaxed and effortlessly, which many entrepreneurs lack.
In addition, expanding your perspectives on culture will result in an inclusive team and more inclusive cultural diversity. This same diversity comes through whenever you go on a trip, mainly when you must work through the context of a multicultural environment and be able to accept the views of other people. The bottom line is that your business should be an image of the world around you. This will create an atmosphere of trust and acceptance where people want to be. It also decreases turnover and allows space for long-term careers.
The working world is now here.
Remote work is often described in the context of “the future of employment,” but as we’ve seen, it’s now fairly commonplace. We’re at the threshold of a new age of work. What is that going to mean? Our future work environment will likely consist of analog, global companies. People will leave cities and other regions for closer relationships with relatives, to be closer to nature, or to settle in the country of their choice. In the coming years, it is likely that the phrase “digital nomadic” or “remote work” could appear outdated, as I anticipate working from home and traveling to be the norm in our lives.
Also, knowing your team’s and organization’s strengths is essential for success in this modern future. This is something I’ve gained through my own experience. Creating a team comprised of self-motivated, largely autonomous people who can thrive in a remote working environment is essential. The trust of your team and the ability to delegate responsibility to those who know their subject matter is vital. If you cannot manage this, remote leadership will not be feasible.
Being able to travel while running a business is counterintuitive, and it’s not appropriate for everyone or all sectors. But for entrepreneurs, founders, and business executives who want to know how embracing this new paradigm will affect the culture of their business and drive its growth; There are strategies you can apply in the present.
It doesn’t matter if you’d like to trek for 14 days around the remotest lake on the planet or integrate your lifestyle and work more holistically. Exploring the world via travel as you manage your business is beneficial for you, but it could be helpful for your company.
