The Async Advantage: The Benefits of Asynchronous Work for Remote-First Teams

Welcome to the Remotivated blog, where we're on a mission to help you build a remote work culture that'll have you doing a happy dance at your standing desk. Today, we're diving into the world of asynchronous communication, one of the most important aspects of a strong remote culture and the one that our data shows most companies struggle with. Get ready to discover how "I'll get back to you later" can become your team's new superpower!

What is Asynchronous Communication?

Asynchronous communication is the cornerstone of effective collaboration at work, particularly for remote teams. But what exactly does it mean? Simply put, it's a communication style where you send a message when it's convenient for you, and others reply when it's convenient for them. This approach respects individual time zones, workflows, and thought processes.

Really it’s as simple as this: You send a message when it's convenient for you. They reply when it's convenient for them. It's communication that respects individual time zones, workflows, and, most importantly, thought processes.

You and I are doing it right now, I could’ve asked you to get on a Zoom call today to listen to my sermon on asynchronous communication but you would’ve politely declined and I would’ve felt silly. When we say “Async” people often think of the extreme examples but anything can be Async if we allow time between responses. If a retail store posts a schedule in the break room, that is async communication, that could’ve been a meeting.

In our remote world, it means moving conversations into asynchronous communication tools and creating a culture of using those tools properly. For example Slack and email are both asynchronous options but if your work culture pressures everyone to respond immediately, you lose that async benefit.

The Async Symphony: Orchestrating Productivity in Perfect Harmony

Imagine a symphony where musicians don't need to play in unison, yet the music they create is nothing short of harmonious. That's async communication in the workplace – each message a note played at just the right moment, independent yet part of a grander composition.

In this ensemble, there's no demand for the immediate, no insistence on synchrony. Like a skilled conductor, you invite contributions when each player is ready, their part perfected, contributing to a crescendo of productivity.

So, what does this async symphony sound like in practice? Let's break down the benefits of asynchronous work:

1. Productivity Accelerator

Your team spends less time twiddling their thumbs in meetings and more time actually getting stuff done. Remote workers note that over 40% of meetings could be replaced with asynchronous communication tools. Imagine what your team could do with 40% less time in meetings!

Pro tip: Start by identifying which of your regular meetings could be turned into an email, Slack thread, or better yet, a Loom video. I promise you won’t miss having 8 people on a call looking at the same spreadsheet.

2. Quality Over Quantity

Asynchronous work allows people to contribute when they're at their best. It's like giving your brain permission to have its best ideas in the shower – but for work. This approach increases the value of your collaboration because people provide better insights when they've had time to gather their thoughts.

3. Embracing All Voices

Moving important discussions into an asynchronous communication tool helps to weave work and personal life together in a way that works for everyone. Parents can be present both at home and at work, neurodivergent teammates feel less pressure, and people from different backgrounds can work for organizations they might not have been able to otherwise.

4. Work Zen

Asynchronous work reduces mental fatigue by minimizing context switching. You can focus on tasks without constant interruptions, leading to better productivity and well-being. You can actually enjoy walking the dog without your phone buzzing every two seconds with messages like "Quick question..." (Spoiler alert: It's never quick.)

5. Customer Connection Level: Expert

Mastering asynchronous communication improves your ability to connect with customers in our increasingly digital world. Plus, you'll have more time to actually solve customer problems instead of just talking about them in endless meetings.

6. Transparency Reigns Supreme

Async communication forces transparency because you don't have the bandwidth for too many siloed conversations. And guess what? A TINYpulse survey found that transparency was the number one factor contributing to overall employee happiness. It's like having a workplace where everyone's cards are on the table – except the table is virtual, and the cards are on Trello.

7. Culture Enhancement, Not Erosion

Contrary to popular belief, async doesn't hurt your culture – it enhances it. Getting on a 30-minute Zoom call with 45 minutes worth of content to discuss is not a meaningful social interaction. (Unless you count trauma bonding over shared stress as "meaningful".) When more of your critical communication is done asynchronously, it actually makes time for your synchronous interactions to be valuable and meaningful. You know, like actually getting to know your coworkers beyond their Zoom backgrounds.

8. Save Time on Documentation

Processes and mission-critical knowledge don't get documented at a mind-blowing number of organizations. Even those of us who are aware of the importance (and happy to lecture people about it…) probably do only half as much documentation as we should. Here’s the good news though, when you shift your important conversations into asynchronous communication tools, your discussion is your documentation. I don’t just mean writing either, you can record and save Zoom meetings and embed Looms in your knowledge base. Here’s a question: If we are saving a ton of time and accomplishing something we otherwise wouldn’t do… are we actually creating time?!?

Putting Async into Action: Quick Tips on Asynchronous Communication Tools

Now that we've covered the "why," let's talk about the "how." Here are a few quick tips to get you started on your async journey:

1. Choose Your Tool Wisely: Most meetings should be emails, most emails should be Slack messages, and most Slacks should be Looms. It's like a high-tech game of rock-paper-scissors.
2. Context is King: Provide enough information upfront to close the loop in one response. It's like giving someone a map instead of making them ask for directions at every turn.
3. Don't Bury the Lead: Get to the point quickly. It's not unfriendly; it's efficient. Plus, you'll have plenty of time for friendly chit-chat after solving the problem faster. Clear and concise communication is pretty much always appreciated but it’s critical when you are communicating asynchronously.
4. Document, Document, Document: Next time you're working on something others might not know how to do, hit record on Loom. It's like leaving breadcrumbs for future teammates (or your future forgetful self). Conversations about tasks or projects should take place in your project management tool. Any important conversations that take place outside of that tool (calls, messages, emails) should be documented there for reference by others later.
5. Master Asynchronous Meetings: Transform traditional meetings into asynchronous ones. Use tools that allow team members to contribute on their own time, such as shared documents or video messages. We love Notion, Coda and Confluence for this. Project management teams looking to skip meetings may want to check out our favorite PM tool for small dev teams, todo.space).

Remember, switching to an async-first culture doesn't happen overnight. It's a journey that requires consistent effort and the right asynchronous communication tools. But with each async message, each thoughtful response, and each unnecessary meeting avoided, you're one step closer to remote work nirvana.

Embracing the Future of Remote Asynchronous Work

So, are you ready to conduct your remote team's async orchestra? With these strategies in your baton case, you're well on your way to creating a workplace symphony that would make Mozart jealous. And who knows? You might just find yourself humming along to the sweet tune of increased productivity, happier employees, and delighted customers.

Want to learn more about creating a thriving remote work culture through asynchronous collaboration? Subscribe to our newsletter for more insights, or check out our Top Remote Culture certification program to see how your organization stacks up in the world of remote work excellence. Because in the remote work game, you're either async or you're behind.