Background 

As a remote-first company, emc3 faced the significant challenge of building and maintaining a cohesive company culture where employees feel connected, despite geographical distances. Under the leadership of Alistair Graham, the full-service events agency transitioned to this model during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than downsizing or scaling back, Alistair made the bold decision to embrace a fully remote workforce, even after the world began reopening. This shift was essential to the company’s global expansion, particularly as the team spread across the UK and US. Ensuring employees did not feel isolated while maintaining a high level of engagement became Alistair’s primary focus as he set out to create an inclusive and supportive environment for a dispersed workforce.

Approach 

Alistair, affectionately called “Mr Company Culture”, tackled the challenges of remote work head-on by fostering a deep sense of connection and wellbeing among emc3 employees. A cornerstone of this initiative is the company’s annual ‘Conn3ct’ week, which sees the global team unite at the London office headquarters, featuring various workshops, team-building activities, and a 2-day offsite country retreat. This initiative bridges the geographical gap, encouraging camaraderie and shared purpose.

Beyond in-person meetups, Alistair has embedded various practices into daily operations to keep the team connected. Regular bi-weekly calls and active participation in fun Slack channels have helped maintain a friendly, communicative culture, while anonymous feedback systems ensure that employees’ voices are heard and concerns addressed.

“Alistair Graham’s leadership has transformed emc3 into a model of connection, innovation and employee wellbeing in a remote-first environment”

Alistair also introduced initiatives focused on mental and physical wellbeing, offering flexible work schedules, decompression days and a £5,000 annual budget per employee for learning & development and company culture. New employee benefits, such as Vitality Health Insurance, are regularly reviewed and improved to meet team needs. In 2023, Alistair appointed a dedicated culture team to elevate these efforts with fun events like remote quizzes and painting classes.

Outcomes

Under Alistair’s leadership, emc3 has achieved remarkable results. Employee satisfaction surged to 92%, with retention rates climbing in a sector renowned for long hours and burnout. The remote-first strategy, once a response to external pressures, has become an asset, fostering a loyal and engaged workforce. emc3’s innovative cultural practices have earned numerous awards, including Employer of the Year and Best Place to Work. Furthermore, Alistair’s efforts to promote diversity and inclusion, alongside his work to make emc3 a certified B Corporation, highlight his holistic approach to leadership. By creating a company culture that prioritises connection, growth and wellbeing, Alistair has successfully turned emc3 into a beacon of remote-first innovation and excellence.