Skip to content

Mastering Remote Marketing Teams: Insights from Rachel Leist, HubSpot VP

Building connections remote

In this episode of our marketing podcast Avidly Talks, Paul and Rachel discuss the intricacies of building and managing teams in a marketing context, particularly in a remote work environment. Rachel shares her experiences in team structure, the importance of communication, and the challenges of leading a global team. They explore the significance of one-on-one meetings, maintaining team culture, and the nuances of hiring and managing diverse teams across different regions. In this conversation, Rachel Leist discusses the challenges and strategies of managing remote teams, emphasising the importance of communication, building connections, and fostering a culture of curiosity and openness. She shares insights on adapting to remote work, the significance of providing context for tasks, and the necessity of welcoming new team members effectively. Rachel also highlights the value of asking questions and maintaining a strong team culture to drive business results.

Listen to the Full Episode

Don’t miss Rachel Leist's insights on how to manage large marketing teams remot. Whether you’re a manager, marketing professional or business leader, this episode offers valuable lessons for how to connect in a remote team. 

Listen on Spotify

Takeaways from this episode:

  • Building a team is essential for executing successful marketing strategies.
  • Effective communication is crucial in remote team dynamics.
  • One-on-one meetings help establish trust and understanding.
  • Listening to team members is key to developing a successful strategy.
  • Maintaining a strong team culture is important, especially in remote settings.
  • Regular updates and communication can enhance team cohesion.
  • Hiring for long-term needs rather than immediate problems is strategic.
  • Understanding cultural differences can improve team collaboration.
  • Training sessions should accommodate different time zones for inclusivity.
  • Creating an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing is vital. Successful remote workers ask questions and share learnings.
  • Cultural differences can affect comfort in sharing work.
  • Regular updates should be framed positively to avoid mistrust.
  • Creating a clear operating model is essential for new managers.
  • Building connections requires intentional effort in remote settings.
  • New hires benefit from structured onboarding documents.
  • Encouraging questions normalizes curiosity and learning.
  • Purposeful communication enhances team dynamics.
  • Providing context for tasks fosters trust and clarity.
  • A strong team culture is crucial for achieving business goals.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Team Building in Marketing
02:52 Understanding Team Structure and Roles
06:02 Navigating Remote Team Dynamics
08:56 The Importance of One-on-One Meetings
12:14 Maintaining Communication and Team Culture
14:59 Building a Team from Scratch
18:00 Cultural Nuances in Global Teams
19:01 Adapting to Remote Work Culture
22:35 Communication Tools and Etiquette
24:29 Inheriting and Managing Established Teams
27:01 Building Connections in a Remote Environment
29:56 Welcoming New Team Members
32:04 Encouraging Questions and Open Communication
34:30 Practical Steps for Team Improvement