Radically remote: 2
Insights on thriving under a remote-first culture and navigating the challenges that come with change
5 ways being remote-friendly adds a buzz to our business
Four times a week I head out at 7 am and hit the Thames towpath for a run. Jogging out toward Tower Bridge, I enjoy soaking up London’s skyline from the peace of the riverside. And as I get into my stride, I feel my mind begin to clear and my thoughts calmly turn to the day ahead.
For me, this morning routine is vital for not just my wellbeing, but for my productivity and performance too. And it’s just one tiny example of the enormous benefits that come with remote working. Instead of spending two hours of my day squeezed onto an overcrowded tube, I’ve had the opportunity to optimise my wellbeing. By the time I sit down at my desk, I’m mentally sharp, ready to rise to a challenge and any stresses are soothed.
Of course, our remote-first culture at Buyapowa doesn’t just benefit me. It has massive advantages for every one of our 60-strong team, who work from 17 countries. Collectively we reap countless rewards, from improved health to enhanced productivity and stability too.
Here are five ways being remote-first brings a buzz to our business…
Skilled staff
First and foremost, our remote-first strategy enables us to snap up the very best employees. Instead of being shackled to geography, we can tap into a global talent pool, seeking out those brilliant, dynamic individuals who are just perfect for the job. And with the battle over skilled staff becoming increasingly fierce, our forward-thinking culture makes us an alluring proposition. Benefits like remote working are becoming increasingly critical, as firms actively increase pay and benefits to secure the top talent.
Employee retention
There’s no doubt that for millions, the pandemic proved an epiphany. It forced people to reassess their work routines, their relationships and pretty much everything in between. But now, as a remote-first employer, we regularly witness first-hand the flexibility and freedom that our culture affords our team. And of course, that helps us hold onto valuable staff too. With a tsunami of workers leaving their jobs – in what’s been dubbed The Great Resignation – that’s more vital than ever.
Quality of life
“Remote working is the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” one employee recently told me, explaining that it’s enabled her to swap her cramped city flatshare for an idyllic rural home. Others have been able to embrace opportunities to move in with their partners or closer to their parents, some venturing to Poland, Edinburgh and even Southern Spain. “I can visit my parents in Sicily more often because I take work with me,” revealed another employee, based in Turin.
No longer being tethered to an office 9-5 pm is a gamechanger for working parents too. Not only can they flex their hours to accommodate a school run, but losing the commute frees up valuable time, which can be invested back into family time instead. Precious memories have also been created – like the moment one employee witnessed his baby crawl for the first time during his lunch hour.
Passion and inspiration
The geographical flexibility of remote working enables our employees to carve out the time and space for their passions too, whether that’s hitting the gym, gardening or cooking. And their enthusiasm is so inspiring – we love hearing that a Vancouver-based colleague surfed a few waves before work, or that our Italy-based team member has perfected her tiramisu. One colleague even hopes to compete on the international athletics circuit, after investing the 20 hours she once spent commuting each week into training sessions instead.
Productivity and performance
So, how does all this help business at Buyapowa? Carving out time for a leisure pursuit doesn’t just expand your mind – research shows it releases the feel-good chemical, dopamine in the brain. Creative hobbies can sharpen our cognitive skills too, expanding our creativity and boosting confidence in the bargain. Put simply, hobbies can make people happier, and better at their jobs.
Burnout has also risen stratospherically over the last couple of years, hitting an all-time high. But by empowering our employees to create a solid work/life balance, we are enabling them to prioritise their mental and physical health. And that in turn helps

Gideon Lask
them stay relaxed, refreshed and on peak performance. If a colleague wants to work by Antigua’s powder-soft sands or join the growing ranks of digital nomads flocking to Chiang Mai, so be it. After all, if they’re no longer tethered to a commute, why should they be tied to one place?
Gideon Lask
Gideon’s been leading digital brands for over 20 years. He’s proud to have built and businesses for the likes of Universal, HMV and LetsBuyIt.com, but right now he’s busy helping other brands acquire new customers in an altogether smarter way. He’s the Founder and CEO of Buyapowa (https://www.buyapowa.com/), and they’re the world leaders in reward marketing, and their platform powers customer acquisition for over 200 leading enterprise brands across 27 countries and in 21 languages.