Async Work Explained

What's Async Work?

Async, short for asynchronous, is the freedom to do your work when you feel like it—kind of like Netflix but for tasks. In this magical realm, you're not chained to your desk waiting for emails or stuck in endless Zoom calls. You contribute when you’re at your peak, not just when the clock says so. 🕒🙅‍♀️

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How Teams Can Go Async: Tactics and Tools 🛠️

Working in an async way is like having a 24-hour diner; it never closes, and everyone can drop in when they're hungry for work. But to make it effective, especially in a remote setup, you need the right mix of tactics and tools.

1. Set Clear Objectives: Think of this as the menu. Everyone needs to know what’s available and what’s not.
2. Time-Shifted Communication: Move from real-time chats to tools like Slack, where people can catch up on their own time. Set up channels for different projects so it’s not one big messy conversation.
3. Documentation: Imagine going to that diner and forgetting what you ordered. Make sure you document discussions, decisions, and plans. Tools like Notion or Confluence are your new best friends.
4. Daily Stand-ups Go Async: Use tools like Geekbot to let team members update their statuses when it works for them, not just at a set time.
5. Project Management: Trello, Asana, or Jira can help you track who's doing what without having to ask.
6. Regular Check-ins: Async doesn’t mean “see ya, wouldn’t wanna be ya!” Pro tip: you can use Candor to check in with your team on both a personal and professional level.

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Why Async Work is Awesome for Team Culture 🎉

Here’s the juice: Async isn’t just about getting stuff done; it’s about building a culture that people want to be part of. Let's break it down:

1. Flexibility: Your night owls can work at midnight, and your early birds can chirp away at dawn. 🦉🐦
2. Focus Time: No more juggling tasks while being bombarded by notifications. Deep work, anyone?
3. Work-Life Harmony: Let’s be real. A startup is a rollercoaster. Having the freedom to enjoy life while still getting stuff done? That’s golden.
4. Global Talent: Being async means you can hire the best, wherever they are, without worrying about time zones. 🌍
5. Inclusivity: Not everyone’s life fits into a 9-5 box. Async work means you can be there for your family, hobbies, or side gigs.

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Sprint, Don't Crawl 🏃‍♀️

Listen, startups are like a sprint, not a marathon. You’ve got targets to hit, clients to woo, and a whole lot of growth to do. Async work is like that energy gel runners take; it boosts your performance without weighing you down. 🚀

By going async, your team can focus on results, not just hours clocked. It’s about delivering value, not filling time. And the best part? You build a culture where people are treated like adults, capable of making their own decisions.

If you’re interested in building and strengthening your team’s culture through more async work flows, check out Candor.