This past summer was a learning experience for everyone everywhere. The coronavirus conversation turned into the vaccination rollout and thus, more businesses and workplaces gradually started to reopen. And with that, we began to see large shifts in workplace culture, updated in-office and work-from-home policies as well as the start of “The Great Resignation.”
At Kite Hill PR, we stayed true to our agile mindset and implemented new policies and procedures swiftly to future-proof our workflow and maintain pace with the new normal.
The last few months really brought Kite Hill PR’s value of balance to the forefront. We take work-life balance very seriously – so much so, it is one of our five core company values. Earlier this year, our agency launched a Work From Anywhere (WFA) policy which allows employees the freedom and flexibility to choose the work environment that best suits their needs and is the most conducive to producing the best results. This could include working remotely, in the office, or a hybrid of the two. Many employees were excited to return a few days a week to our company headquarters in New York City’s Financial District. Still, others are opting to work remotely. These shifts in how we work are also changing up our work culture, how we stay connected, how we foster collaboration (another Kite Hill PR value) and how we have fun.
In June, Kite Hill held its annual retreat as a hybrid event where some employees came to the office – safely – and others tuned in from all over the country. Employees received gift bags filled with company swag, treats and thought starters for team building activities in advance. One of our many guest speakers even taught us easy exercises to implement while sitting at your desk (are you hunching over your computer reading this? Sit up straight!). This was a great way for Kite Hill to show its appreciation for our team as well as showcase that companies can still be connected with their employees even in a virtual setting. The event was a success as all participants virtual or in-person were able to come together and connect with one another.
Kite Hill has put in motion some best practices as the WFA environment continues, to ensure we are staying successful and productive. As a PR firm that has adopted the agile workflow leveraged by innovative technology teams, Kite Hill encourages employees to over-communicate in a virtual environment by checking in with teams on Slack channels, using Monday.com for collaborative project management and hopping on quick Zoom calls to brainstorm. Kite Hill also focuses on results-driven work. Kite Hill allows employees to work in the setting that is most comfortable for them, which gives them confidence in their employees to deliver results on client projects.
We also shared how we individually approach work-life balance through a summer Instagram takeover series, which allowed employees to take viewers through a “day in the life” while working at Kite Hill. It was great to see how colleagues located in New York City, California, New Jersey, Long Island, Florida or Vermont start their day; some with coffee, others with an early morning workout. Some employees use a quick walk around the block as a head-clearing moment; others participate in walking meetings to get a few more steps in. Some showcased their fancy lunch making skills or impressive WFA Zoom set-ups. It really spoke to how different employees have adapted to the work environment that helps them produce their best work for clients.
Employing this WFA environment has underscored the importance of another Kite Hill PR value: candor. Our emphasis on teamwork really comes in handy in a world where the new normal means that sometimes unanticipated power outages (hello hurricane season), wifi reboots or pandemic parenting emergencies happen. The Kite Hill PR Way is rooted in #teamworkmakesthedreamwork which empowers us to all come together and deliver excellent results for clients.
Although we have all been navigating the pandemic together, it is time to really think about how to ensure success for not only the company as a whole but also individual employees. At the end of the day, we all want to work in an environment that fits our lifestyle and allows us to be the best possible version of ourselves. We believe that WFA is something that can help facilitate the best results.
Angelina Kaliszak, Account Associate