Steli Efti, CEO of Close, shares the evolution of their team’s work structure in a YouTube video titled “The Close Backstory: How They Became a Fully Distributed Team, Remote Work Life.” Initially, the company operated as a semi-remote team with a small group of six individuals, maintaining an office while embracing a culture of heavy travel and remote work.
The team would spend one month per quarter working remotely, another month with some members in the office and others traveling, and a quarterly retreat where everyone would work together from a different location. This approach reflected a belief that work wasn’t confined to a physical office. As the company grew and began hiring individuals based on merit rather than location, a natural shift occurred. With some team members not residing in the Bay Area, where the office was located, a dichotomy emerged between those present in the office and those working remotely.
Recognizing the need to make a decisive choice, the team opted to fully embrace remote work. This decision was influenced by the extensive travel habits of the team and the desire for inclusivity, avoiding a two-tiered structure where the core team was in the office while others were remote. The transition to becoming a fully distributed team marked a pivotal moment for Close, aligning with the preferences of the existing team members and facilitating the recruitment of top talent regardless of geographic location.
The video provides valuable insights into the considerations and decisions that led Close to commit wholeheartedly to remote work, shedding light on the challenges and benefits of such a transformation. To delve deeper into the CEO’s perspective and the company’s journey, the full video can be viewed on YouTube.
