Can you introduce yourself in a few words and explain to us how this experience began for you?
Hello, my name is Maëva, I am the development director for Teletravel and Your Local Eye (a new brand from Best Of Tours). I am 25 years old, I live most of the time in the south of France. I am originally from Nantes. For me, working meant being cooped up in an office all your life. I had never even heard of telecommuting in other countries at the time. Teleworking started like everyone else, I think. When I was doing a communications internship at Ubisoft in Paris as part of my master's degree, like everyone else, I was forced to telework as a result of covid-19. I found myself at my parents' home working from home. I finished my master's degree in teleworking. Following this, I was lucky enough to have Yacine who suggested that I launch Teletravel. Since that day, I have been teleworking on a daily basis. We do not have offices or premises.
How to create team cohesion remotely?
At Best Of Tours we use virtual offices through Work Adventure. I have an avatar that allows me to move around in a virtual office. Each office is dedicated to a team. We can see who is on a lunch break, coffee break or even in a meeting. We are connected to each other on video all the time. In the morning I connect my camera so that we can take small points. Ultimately it’s as if we were in open space. It happens that we see each other in real life, that we find ourselves in London. We are scattered all over the world. Many are in France, Bali, Scotland or England. Our Best Of Tours team is French-speaking.
What is the last destination you explored as a digital nomad?
I worked remotely for 3 months in Mexico. This has been my longest experience. I left with my boyfriend who took a sabbatical leave, not having a teleworkable job. My cat was also with us. He was able to hunt giant Mexican grasshoppers and was very happy. I have never had to convince my employer to go teleworking abroad due to the fact that his management is based on trust. I just had to tell him where I was going to telework, when, and how I would adapt to the time difference. As long as you work well and are always in communication with others, everything goes well. We have never had a problem within the team with someone working remotely. It's a question of adaptation. When I was in Mexico I organized and adapted.
How do you think we can ensure remote monitoring of employees? Advices ?
What is important is to maintain regular team meetings to maintain a routine with colleagues. A team meeting on Monday morning and a 15/30 minute meeting every day to exchange important information. If you go to the other side of the world it's a choice so you have to adapt to others and not the other way around. When I was in Mexico I made the effort to connect all afternoon with my colleagues even if it meant being in front of my computer at 6am. You have to stay in touch as much as possible and keep the same pace. Communication is the most important.
What qualities do you think you should have as a teleworker? Is everyone made for remote teleworking?
I think this way of working can suit many more people than we think and they think. You have to be able to have real professional confidence, have a job that you like and in which you are really motivated because it is certain that you can easily get distracted when working remotely. You have to know how to be rigorous. Whether I am at the office or at home I must work and have a professional conscience. It is a real job for the employer to ensure that their employee is invested, has responsibilities, is listened to for their ideas so that they are motivated to work anywhere. There are some people who need to work in offices to have a social life. These people do not have an active social life outside of work and find themselves alone when it comes to teleworking.
What did you learn during this experience abroad?
These 3 months have been incredible. I realize how lucky I am to have had this opportunity. I have always loved traveling and I always told myself that at some point I would have to make a choice between my professional career or taking a break from traveling. I find it a shame to have to make a choice when we can now afford it. I had this experience as a couple and was able to share it with my boyfriend. We learn lots of things, whether it's adaptability, getting out of your comfort zone, a new language, a new culture. I think from a personal point of view it's really the learning and discovery that stands out the most. From a professional point of view, I felt productive because my brain was recharged with good energies. I saw myself being much more creative with ideas that came to me when I was at the beach or visiting. I was boosted in every way. It's not the RER that would have boosted my creativity.
Were you able to make friends there?
My boyfriend joined a soccer club and was able to make Mexican friends. I signed up for a zumba class. And beyond that we met French expatriates who have been living in the country for 10 years. It made me want to stay put even more. I teleworked in our accommodation and also in cafes with a good connection. I experienced it in a different way because it was a journey for both of us. I might have set up coworking spaces to meet teleworkers if I had gone teleworking alone. I always respected my working hours and days because I was free in the afternoons and weekends to do activities on site. It was important for me to show my employer that I knew how to separate leisure from work and that there was a time for everything.
Do you think this is a solution to staying within a company and avoiding routine?
I find it very important to offer teleworking within a company. The youngest generation, those entering the job market, need this solution to move forward. When someone gives us so much confidence, it makes us want to reciprocate even more. This will further motivate the worker to feel listened to and confident, allowing them to live their dreams and their travels while working. The productivity and creativity that this will generate will benefit the company. The choice is quickly made between two companies when it comes to teleworking. In terms of employer branding, companies have everything to gain. The employer will be able to test the adaptability of his employee, how he will manage to leave his comfort zone and adapt in other situations, which may happen to him throughout his professional life. There are plenty of topics that can be interesting at the HR level. Traveling makes you grow and you learn a lot about yourself and others. From a professional and personal point of view, you only learn along the way. We can become more knowledgeable on many subjects. Our professional career can take off thanks to this. Being able to telework for so many years is something to highlight in potential future interviews.
Want to repeat the experience? if yes, where?
I would love it even if I currently have other personal projects. But why not last minute for a week in a destination. Bali and Colombia are currently tempting me a lot. I ask my colleagues for information and as we are in the field I know the destinations made for digital nomads. I wouldn't mind going alone, as I already lived alone in London for 3 months. If I had to go back alone for 1 month as part of my work, I would have no problem.
Any advice to give to someone who doesn't dare to take on the adventure?
There are many people who want to leave but don't know where to start. This requires a lot of organization. My advice is to go through Nomamundi and Teletravel to get help with your entire stay. This allows you to be reassured. When you're a freelancer, you might as well use this freedom to have this kind of experience. When you are an employee, you just need to find out. Many do not realize the flexibility of their job. Sometimes, you just need to put the file on the table and discuss it. Until you ask, you don't know. I think that in general teleworking opens up many positive things and that we must continue in this direction. Many companies are looking into the issue because they see their employees unhappy. It's not a life to spend it on public transport not enjoying your family, not being able to reach them when they live far away. Teleworking makes it possible to respond to many issues on many different subjects. When it's set up well with lots of tools available, it's great.