Remote Doesn't Mean Distant

At bunny.net, being a remote-first comes with its unique set of challenges. The physical distance between us can make it tough to keep team connections alive and strong. Yet, with a mix of trial, error, and creative thinking, we’ve crafted some effective strategies to bring our team closer together, even without the usual coffee break chats. Wondering how we do it? Keep reading to discover the secrets behind our strong team bonds. 

Virtual gatherings to build connections

We've found creative ways to stay connected beyond the usual work chats about industry news and technology breakthroughs. With a simple hack of creating dedicated Slack channels, we share our daily routines. Bunnies renovating their burrows? Ask your teammates for suggestions. Need advice for your next trips? Just hop to the right channel and raise a question. And really, our channels are constantly buzzing.

The #food channel: Sometimes feeling good is as simple as sharing a picture of what you ate. As one of our busiest channels, the #food channel helps us keep in touch and share that tasty delight we’ve just had for lunch with the rest of the team. It’s a small thing, but it just works.

Virtual coffee with Donut: While it’s easy to chat in writing, spontaneous calls are rare, so we introduced a Slack app called Donut, which automatically schedules random, casual chats. Meeting through calls allows us to talk about anything while working and building stronger connections.

Online team-building: The love of games and problem-solving is something we all have in common. As commonly known, people connect more easily while having fun, so from time to time, we organize virtual team-buildings where everyone can participate from the coziness of their homes. The online escape room challenge was one of our latest virtual get-togethers. Stronger bonds were the best prize to win!

Zooming into cooking: Another hobby we share is cooking and eating. Our Sales Team took this hobby to another level. Their VP, Julian, decided to bring his bunnies together once a month for a cooking gathering through a Zoom call. We’re not even surprised that Julian came up with such an idea; after all, he used to work as a cook.

Live gatherings to strengthen bonds

Yearly flufflebuildings: At bunny.net, gathering all our bunnies for an annual team-building event has become a tradition. We select the location carefully, ensuring it’s fantastic and fun-filled, and we handle everything from accommodations to food. Though it's a lot of work, it’s worth every effort. We are rewarded with stronger bonds, new friendships, and more trust among the team.  And we know that a united fluffle can work miracles.

Department meet-ups: We encourage our department teams to meet face-to-face at least once per year to bond, brainstorm ideas, and have some fun. These meet-ups are organized by our team leads, and bunny.net covers all expenses, including travel and accommodation.

"Visit Ljubljana" vouchers: Our cozy office in Ljubljana creates a welcoming atmosphere for any bunny eager to experience it firsthand. If our bunnies find themselves nearby, they're welcome to enjoy a few nights in Ljubljana on the company's dime—all they have to do is snag their voucher before time runs out.

At bunny.net, we’ve found our own unique ways to bridge the distance and make every team member feel like part of a close-knit fluffle. Whether sharing a meal through a screen or meeting up in Ljubljana, each moment we spend together strengthens our bonds. These connections make our remote work environment functional, but also genuinely fulfilling. For us, being remote really doesn’t mean being distant.