Good things grow when they get the right conditions: a little sun, a little space, and people who tend to one another. That’s true of communities, and it’s particularly true of our team, too.
At PPR, we’re a hybrid and remote team of professionals working to help communities become the best versions of themselves. We take that same approach to the way we care for each other. We offer a hybrid environment for team members here in the Frederick, Maryland area, and a remote one for teammates spread from the Mid-Atlantic to the Midwest, southwest England to the American South. Why? Flexibility, trust, and work-life balance help each of us flourish. Here’s how we cultivate it.
In-person Time with Impact
Our downtown Frederick office is absolutely buzzing three days a week, and the creativity is in full bloom. Our local team reports to their desks on the same days every week, so we plan these days with intention. Spontaneous brainstorm sessions in the conference room give us a chance to workshop and whiteboard new strategies, and ideas cross-pollinate beautifully when we’re in the same room. When we need a mid-day break, we take team jaunts to Beans and Bagels, where a latte and a laugh help our connections take root.
Fur Babies and Deep Focus
Two days a week, our hybrid team trades the buzz for deep concentration and focused creative work in the comfort of their homes, which our remote team enjoys full time. These at-home days also make life outside of work a little easier. Think of a load of laundry switched over between emails, a lunchtime walk with the dog (shout-out to PPR pets Georgie, Hobbes, Meow, Willie, Francis, and Ethel), or dinner in the slow cooker so life after 5 feels simpler. Balance keeps the whole garden healthy.
Near or Far, You’re in the Room
Our remote team members are further afield, so offering camaraderie and connection matters just as much. Here’s how we keep everyone growing together:
All Hands Engages Everyone
Our weekly, hour-long All Hands meetings over Zoom are for celebrating wins, sharing client updates, and workshopping real-time challenges with colleagues who truly care. They’re also where we share what we’ve learned in the field, whether it’s a takeaway from an economic development workshop or a design best practice from our Digital Storyteller, Olivia. (Sidebar: thanks to Olivia’s insights, we will never look at a rebrand the same way again!)
One-on-Ones for the Win
Every team member has a standing one-on-one with their supervisor, typically over Zoom, to check in on projects, work through challenges, and genuinely connect. Meg, our fully remote Vice President of Client and Creative Strategy, supervises several members of the team. “I love my regular one-on-ones with the team because I genuinely care about my colleagues as people. It’s a time to share a laugh, set strategy, and ensure that every team member has what they need to feel supported and make our clients shine.”
Tech Tools Keep Us in Sync
Our project management platform makes it easy to track progress, hit milestones, and spot where extra hands might be needed. Add instant messaging, phone, and spontaneous Zoom calls, and support and solutions are always seconds away.
Blonde Wigs, Barbecues, Bachelorette Parties, Oh My!
The projects we steward are special, and so are our people. Team barbecues, crab feasts, yearly retreats, and celebrations of life’s milestones (weddings, babies, and birthdays) give us the chance to gather in-person and enjoy the fruits of our labor.
We keep things blooming year-round, too. For Dolly Parton Day, every team member received a blonde wig and snapped a photo in tribute, and it was the highlight of our month (and judging by the popularity of those posts, yours, too!). We use our social media platforms to give you an in-depth look at our personalities and the communities we care about. Whether it’s an Instagram post about our favorite small-town coffee shops or a reel about summer travels, everyone can share their personality and passions, wherever they log in.
Showing Up for Each Other, Wherever We Log In
Hybrid and remote work, done right, isn’t about where we sit. It’s about trust, communication, and showing up for one another. When people are rooted in the places that matter to them, they bring their best to the places we serve. That’s something we believe in for our clients’ communities, and for our own. Do you work in a hybrid or remote setting? If so, what are your secrets to staying connected as a team? I’d love to add them to our playbook, so drop me a line!
