Aug 26, 2022
Paul McKinlay, VP of Communications and Remote Working at Cimpress and Vista (prev. VistaPrint) had a series of transformative experiences working in management, L&D, and Communications, working for ASDA and Walmart in the UK and US which set him up to take the lead role in implementing the strategic “Remote First” initiative at Cimpress and Vista. Paul shares his insights about the importance of transparency and alignment with employees, as well as a mindset of ongoing feedback and co-creation.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[03;15] At the start of his career, Paul ran large supermarkets in the UK.
[03:34] Managing teams of up to 1000 people, Paul learned fast and transitioned to L&D.
[04:27] The experience of a major transformation at ASDA.
[06:19] Paul has to adapt to a very different culture when Walmart acquired ASDA.
[07:11] Paul’s unusual experience the first time he visited Walmart’s headquarters.
[08:50] Walmart takes a different approach to Learning and Development.
[10:10] Paul is persuaded—unwillingly—to change role and discipline.
[10:40] Paul’s epiphany about his new position in communications.
[13:42] There was very little remote working prior to 2020.
[15:36] When the pandemic hit, the business was hit hard, but they noticed employees were executing well.
[18:14] Many people wanted to work remotely long-term.
[19:05] Paul asks to lead the remote work
strategic initiative.
[20:02] CEO Robert Cain gives Paul a new lens for understanding his
role and goals.
[20:48] “Remote First” is not “Remote Only” and what that
means.
[21:16] Operating principles and “Remote First” practices using new
Collaboration Centers.
[23:06] Paul stresses the importance of having a team dedicated to
optimizing remote working.
[23:39] How on-boarding happens at Cimpress and Vista now.
[24:52] Paul’s intention is for working at Vista be a master class
in remote working.
[25:38] Great success attracting talent by focusing on employees’
workplace taxability and work/life harmony.
[27:32] Looking at ways to improve fixed-site workers’
experiences.
[30:19] The importance of involving everyone when developing new
solutions.
[32:02] How to deconstruct resistance to remote working—trust is at
the core.
[33:07] Paul’s expectations that shareholders will also push for
remote working.
[33:31] “Shybrid” – the undermining subterfuge. “Mybrid” - I choose
to come to work wherever I want to work
from.
[34:36] Paul describes the major initiative building remote working
expertise and extensive resources.
[36:13] IMMEDIATE action tip: To
be an effective remote leader, collaborate with your team by
getting extensive feedback and input on a regular basis—making the
team experience about co-creation and trusting team members to get
on with their jobs. Ask team members for suggestions about how to
establish norms that will make working remotely much more
effective—such as having fewer meetings!
RESOURCES
Vista on Instagram
QUOTES
“Comms [Communications] at a strategic level is
about aligning people against the mission, helping them to execute
against that, understanding the context of the decisions they make
day today.”
“The role of Communications is to be the radar and compass of the
organization and the drive.”
“The headwind that we were facing really energized the team and
really brought the team
together.”
“Giving people a real focus on flexibility and work/life how many
is cited with our job applicants as a number one reason why they
apply to us. It is because they are interested in the remote
working, flexibility, work/life
harmony. “
“We call what we do “mybrid” which is I choose when I come to work
from wherever I want to.”