Navigating the Future of Work: Cultivating Connection at Vectara

Transitioning from Google to the innovative environment of Vectara, a Generative AI start-up, brought the challenge of shaping a company culture that embraced hybrid work models while maintaining human connection. As Head of Staff, the focus was on fostering camaraderie amidst a global team with diverse needs. Initial attempts like "Together-Time" were impractical, leading to the development of more effective strategies such as an annual Global Summit for in-person team building, regional meet-ups, and virtual fun activities. The introduction of Roam, an app facilitating informal virtual interactions, proved to be a cost-effective solution for maintaining virtual connections. Quarterly coffee chats and tailored sub-team events further enhanced personal connections and productivity, all while aligning with a collective ownership mentality. Vectara's approach emphasizes organic support for togetherness, reflecting the evolving work landscape and demonstrating success in fostering effective collaboration as indicated by positive engagement survey results.