The amazing growth of PartnerHero in Brazil and why the All Hands builds a connection between remotes
It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve been meaning to write this post. The reason it took so long is that the previous drafts weren’t making justice to what I wanted to say. Well, I don’t know if this version will make justice, but let’s give it a try!
In March we had the All Hands events in Brazil, which was a week when we gathered together in São Paulo to work in the same space. We work for a company which has hubs in different countries, but that also has a huge and an on a growing team of remote associates. The fact that there was an effort to organize this event so that all these people could work face to face truly means a lot to us, remotes. I dare to say this in the name of the whole team.
Don’t get me wrong! I love the remote life. The first time I tried to write this piece was while I was appreciating a bed of cotton clouds below me. The freedom of working from anywhere is a blessing which I’m every day grateful for. But I’m a human being, and feeling like I’m part of a community is valuable. Actually standing in front of people whose faces we’ve only seen through Zoom meetings is a whole new experience of its own.
When I joined PartnerHero, I was the fourth Brazilian in the company. We were a few remotes, and we were still learning how to manage these teams. Well, I guess we are still learning, as the very nature of remote work is relatively new on a worldwide scale, but you know what I mean. The first All Hands I participated in had ten of us. This year we were almost thirty. WItnessing such a quick and impressive growth is amazing, especially when you realize that so many talented people are now part of the same company I work for. I was genuinely impressed to meet so many incredible and knowledgeable people!
I do my best to be up to date with new strategies and tips on how to engage remote teams, and I’m sure that having events such as the All Hands is a must. Although it is not something that can happen often due to logistics, it does have a lasting impact. I have felt a greater connection with everyone after a few days of working and hanging out together, and this translated into more confidence and motivation to give my best at work. I believe many would share the same feeling.
I just want to say that I will always carry the frustration of not escaping the cemetery, even though one of our colleagues sacrificed himself for the team. Haha, ok, now seriously. I really enjoyed the bonding experiences, working in the same place, the dinners, the balloon adventure, and the general good vibes.
This is post is a way for me to show how grateful I felt for being part of this year’s All Hands, and to show appreciation for all of you who were there, no matter the role in the company.
