Remote Work, Real Results: How Flexibility Became Our Secret to Growth
Amanda Inglis, Due North Creatives
Brilliant. Right. Remote working, does it really work? Ooh, difference. I’ve had a lot of negative thoughts recently. People are mentioning that remote working is… The thought on it is changing. But I’m here to tell you about how it’s led us to real results and a feeling of success for everybody in the team.
So, my name is Amanda Inglis, and when I started Due North Creatives in 2016, I wanted to create a business that would work around me and my young family. Commuting an hour each way, I did not, no wonder, want to have that in my life anymore. Time wasted going up to Aberdeen, an hour lost each way. When I started working from home, though, I realized it was more than gaining just two hours of my life back every day. Remote work gave me the freedom to use my time how I wanted, on my priorities, and I felt happier.
So, taking off the shackles of driving to work every day, I linked into the remote setup as I started to scale the business. With time, I realized that it could actually be a differentiator in attracting the best clients and talent, too. Our clients love our ability to be by their side, seamlessly integrating into their teams as if we were in the next room. No fancy office to hide behind. They love our transparency and authenticity. It helps us build a stronger trust.
The freedom of a flexible approach fuels creativity, resilience, and loyalty. They have the freedom to go and live in the moment, to meet a friend, go running, have coffee. I don’t want presenteeism in my workplace. I want them to be thriving. We get together regularly, whether it’s online, through regular team calls, on site at client projects, or at quarterly team days. It feels like a hybrid setting. These moments are all important to engage and motivate. They’re not sitting in their pajamas every day. Contrary to rumors, remote working does not lead to laziness. It actually makes us far more productive by focusing on outcomes and not clock times. I don’t need them chained to a laptop for 40 hours.
Everybody on the team has the freedom to work where they’re most effective. It depends on the project they’re working on. A refresh of space can make a world of difference in the creativity space. Motivation is driven by purpose. The structure of our recruitment process is designed so that I know that they’re passionate about making a difference in the world. They’re aligned with our mission and they’re ambitious to move upwards in the business.
Trust is our foundation. With no one micromanaging, team members take ownership of their own projects, strengthening their accountability. They do their best for themselves, but also for the team, their client, and the wider purpose. Tools like these guys up here, they’re our digital workspace. They keep us connected, aligned, and productive no matter where we are. Interestingly, I find in physical workspaces, people take them for granted.
With remote work, communication is everything. We encourage huddles and online face-to-face meetings to stay connected. It’s about intentional talk. That’s the bit that’s missing sometimes in the physical space. Our culture has never been tied to an office space. It’s grown through shared values, having fun, and a genuine focus on well-being. We talk about boundaries all the time. Switch the laptop off and we make our values a prominent conversation.
Remote work means that we can recruit talent based on skills, not geography. While we do want them to be based around the Northeast, it’s helped us overcome talent pool issues of a rural background. The freedom of remote work has boosted loyalty. Our team know they’re valued and trusted. That’s priceless. Recognition is important to ensure that they feel seen. Clients see the results too. A happy, productive team produces outstanding work, creating stronger client relationships that stand the test of time. Remote work. No overheads that way. Quite like that. But we invest those savings directly back into their groups. It’s about their personal development. That’s what motivates them. That’s what drives them to turn up every day.
For leaders considering remote work, or quite frankly, if you’re questioning whether you should still be there, trust your team implicitly. Keep communication open and let flexibility be your absolute ally. Don’t micromanage. At Due North Creatives, flexibility isn’t just a perk. It’s our strategy for growth. It’s how we get real results and stand out from the crowd. Thank you.
