How do you foster connection and collaboration in a remote-first world?

In this episode of the Distributed podcast, host Jack Hannah sits down with Nick Cash, Senior Vice President & Head of Technology at Jam City, to explore the unique challenges and opportunities of leading a hybrid team across the globe. Nick shares insights into Jam City’s hub-and-spoke organizational structure, the importance of reducing friction in communication, and the value of synchronous collaboration. He also discusses strategies for empowering engineers, fostering connections across teams, and building a culture of trust and innovation in a remote-first environment.

Highlights:

• Jam City’s hybrid approach to remote-first work and global team dynamics
• Reducing friction with clear processes and effective communication tools
• The importance of synchronous collaboration for solving complex problems
• Building connections through programs like Jam City University
• How fostering team relationships leads to better project outcomes

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) – Kicking Things Off With Nick Cash

(04:44) – Optimizing Product Lifecycle and Team Agility

(08:35) – Integrating Processes with Flexibility

(12:34) – Fostering Occasional Team Interactions

(14:40) – Balancing Mentorship and Independence

(19:06) – Effective Team Communication Boosts Productivity

(22:44) – Fostering Success at Jam City

(25:44) – Leveraging Curiosity for Networking Success

(27:17) – Jam City's Global Talent Strategy

(32:23) – Exploring Meetings vs. Problem-Solving Calls

(34:37) – Comparing In-Person and Virtual Collaboration Perceptions

Where to connect further:

Connect with Nick Cash on LinkedIn

More about Jam City

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Connect with Jack Hannah