In a professional world transformed by remote work, maintaining a strong and collaborative corporate culture can represent a challenge for organizations. At Can-Explore, we have met this challenge brilliantly by developing effective strategies that transcend distance.
Our secret? An approach where proactive communication, adapted digital tools, and connection moments combine to create a cohesive work environment despite the kilometers that separate our experts.Through testimonials from our collaborators based in the four corners of the country, we reveal the concrete practices that have transformed our way of working together, remotely.
Connected Surveyors, Despite the Distance
Mathieu, Chief Surveyor of the East
In eastern Quebec, somewhere between the valleys of Bas-Saint-Laurent and the shores of Gaspésie, Mathieu traces invisible lines that define very real projects. Project manager and chief surveyor for this vast region, he acts as the beating heart of Can-Explore in a remote territory, but not isolated nonetheless.
“I take care of contacting clients, I prepare proposals, I look for work for my team. I’m sometimes on construction sites, both for construction surveying and for networking,” he explains. What makes him excited about his role is the diversity: “It’s rewarding… or stressful! It’s thanks to you if it works, and it’s because of you if it fails.”
– Mathieu, Project Manager and Chief Surveyor
Mathieu and his family represented Can-Explore at the Festif de Saint-Hubert-de-Rivière-du-Loup parade, an event aimed at promoting the company in the region.
He acknowledges that distance changes the dynamic: “It’s definitely not the same as bumping into someone at the coffee machine; there are fewer opportunities to maintain good contact.” To compensate, informal calls and a few dinners organized with colleagues help maintain the connection between Mathieu and his team. On a daily basis, simple tools make the difference: Teams, texts, calls, but most importantly, a strong focus on follow-ups: “Files and preliminary work must be impeccable. Communication must flow to eliminate surprises. I can’t go on-site if there’s a problem, so communication becomes even more important, that’s for sure.”
Anick, Civil Engineering Technician from Coast to Coast
Anick, a civil engineering technician in the surveying field with 25 years of experience, including more than six at Can-Explore, has seen her role evolve. Since her move to Calgary, she has focused primarily on coordinating geomatics mandates and data processing. For her, distance is neither an obstacle nor a brake: it’s a different work rhythm that has evolved with her.
Anick working in the field.
“I often have to coordinate with Antoine who pilots the drones. We depend a lot on the weather, so at the equipment level, logistics, it’s never fixed. We need to ensure a proper communication.”
Over 3,000 kilometers from the head office, Anick manages a variety of projects, including quarry and sandpit volumetrics. With tools like Teams and Dynamics, and weekly team meetings, planning remains smooth. She almost never feels alone and greatly appreciates company events like the Christmas party: “These moments are essential for those working remotely. They make all the difference in maintaining relationships with colleagues outside of work hours. It helps us get to know each other better, and the work environment becomes more pleasant afterward,” she maintains.
A Shared Vision from Sales and Marketing
Alexis, True Bridge Between Teams and Clients
In Montreal, Alexis, director of strategic development, embodies this ability to stay connected to field reality while contributing to the company’s global strategy. He manages major accounts, determines opportunities, and directs the team’s efforts.
What truly inspires Alexis is the company culture: “Just three years ago, we still had to explain who we were to clients. Today, our expansion is impressive, and I would say it’s mainly due to our company culture. It’s a privilege to work for Can-Explore, and word is spreading!”
Photo taken at the Can-Explore 2024 holiday party.
“97% of my work is based on communication. I must maintain contact with both our clients and the management of our departments to bring back interesting work for our teams. It’s very rewarding work!”
Marie Battut, Designer at the Service of Our Innovation Users
Marie Battut, UX/UI designer for Can-Ex Technologies, shapes the interfaces of digital products daily, particularly the applications accompanying the ZIPCAM 360. Work that she compares to that of an architect: “I design the interface plans, I define the functionalities, and then it’s the developers who code from this base.”
Based in Montreal, Marie works entirely remotely. Yet, she never feels isolated. While she appreciates the autonomy of remote work, Marie also emphasizes the importance of human contact: “We sometimes go on-site to better understand the technicians’ reality. It’s essential for designing suitable interfaces. We create their tools, so we need to ensure they truly meet their needs.”
Marie presents her work on stage with her colleagues at Can-Explore Summit 2024, a unifying event to celebrate the company’s 10th anniversary.
For her, this culture of collaboration transcends hierarchical barriers: “I have no issues asking questions to Patrick Mimeault, the Chief Technology Officer, even though he’s higher up. He’s super accessible. There was even a time I had to contact Louis, the company president, because no one else was available. He replied within a minute with a cheerful ‘Hey!'”
“With Charles, my colleague who is also a UX/UI designer, we spend our days on Discord with the developers. It’s a bit like our unofficial virtual office. We activate our mic as soon as we need to talk to each other, and we stay in the call all day. We even have a dedicated channel, if we have jokes to share!”
Véronique, a Remote but Very Present Voice
Véronique, communications manager, worked from Toronto for several years before returning to Quebec. To maintain her motivation at a distance, she developed effective methods:
“I set up a small bright corner in my apartment, with objects that remind me of Can-Explore. Every day, I put myself in ‘office mode’ as if I were physically going to work.”
Véronique in Toronto, wearing her Can-Explore sweater delivered 800 km from the head office.
A well-established routine, but it wouldn’t have been enough without human connection. Véronique quickly realized that proactive communication was necessary: “It’s easy to fade into the background remotely. So I would call! Not just for work, but to catch up or share a laugh. In fact, my colleague Jonatan and I have a cherished ritual: we start every day with a call.”
After a few months of working remotely, it became clear: without vigilance, you can end up feeling forgotten. “It’s not the colleagues’ bad intentions, but when you don’t bump into people at the coffee machine, you have to make extra efforts to show you’re there.”
In meetings, Véronique got into the habit of being actively involved: “I took notes, followed up, asked questions to show I was present.” During her visits to the head office, she created informal moments with colleagues as much as possible and made sure to attend the year’s important gatherings.
The Keys to Successful Remote Collaboration
Through these testimonials, several key factors emerge for anyone looking to optimize remote communication. The success of Can-Explore’s internal communication model rests on three fundamental pillars: suitable digital tools, an inclusive company culture that encourages collaboration, and a shared commitment to staying connected. The effectiveness of this communication relies more on the intention behind using the tools than on their complexity.
As illustrated by our team members, professional closeness is fostered through informal virtual spaces like Discord, which replace the coffee machine; regular and spontaneous contact that goes beyond formal meetings; a proactive approach to communication initiated by making calls; events that create genuine shared moments; and true accessibility at all levels of the organization.
In a job market where offering hybrid work options becomes an advantage for recruiting and retaining talent, these practices are a strategic investment. The testimonials from our team members show that it’s possible to maintain—and even strengthen—team cohesion despite the distances, through a company culture that values accessibility, support, and autonomy.
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