How it works
In a virtual-first organization, nobody is expected in an office on a regular schedule. Processes are designed for people working apart: written and asynchronous communication, documents open by default, meetings kept for decisions and discussion, and overlapping hours arranged across time zones.
Offices do not disappear; their role changes. Large headquarters give way to smaller hubs, studios or coworking access used for collaboration and connection. Teams meet in person on purpose, for example at quarterly planning, onboarding weeks or company gatherings, rather than by habit.
The term is closely associated with Dropbox, which made remote work the primary experience for all employees and the day-to-day default for individual work, and turned its offices into spaces for collaboration. Other companies run similar models under names such as distributed work or work from anywhere, usually with rules on time zones and where people may legally work.
How to measure it
- Track how often and where teams gather in person, to size hubs and coworking budgets.
- Measure use of each hub or flexible space before renewing it.
Examples
- A software company lets employees work from any country where it has a legal entity, provided their time zone suits their role, and brings teams together for planned gatherings several times a year.
- A company closes its headquarters and replaces it with a few small hubs that teams book for workshops and planning sessions.
Benchmarks
Atlassian's Team Anywhere policy allows its 12,000 employees to work from anywhere the company has a legal entity, provided their time zone aligns with their role, their team lead approves and they have the legal right to work there.
Kadence: Why Atlassian is sticking with distributed work
Common mistakes
- Declaring virtual-first but keeping office-era habits, such as meeting-heavy days and decisions made in person.
- Keeping a large lease sized for daily attendance that never returns.
- Cutting in-person gatherings to save money, which weakens relationships and onboarding.
How Kadence helps
Kadence Flex lets virtual-first teams book coworking desks and meeting rooms worldwide through the LiquidSpace network, alongside any company-owned space, so teams can gather near where they live. Workplace Events with RSVP (WorkOps Pro) helps plan gatherings, and Workplace Insights shows which spaces teams actually use.
Flexible office space · Distributed teams · Workplace events
Frequently asked questions
What does virtual-first mean?
Virtual-first means remote work is the default way of working for individual tasks, and offices or meeting spaces are used for planned in-person time such as team gatherings, planning and onboarding. The company designs its processes, meetings and communication around people working apart, rather than treating remote work as an exception.
What is the difference between virtual-first and hybrid?
Hybrid organizations expect regular office time, such as set days each week. Virtual-first organizations expect remote work by default and bring people together occasionally and on purpose. Hybrid work needs desks and rooms for regular attendance; virtual-first work needs flexible space for gatherings.
What is the Dropbox Virtual First model?
Dropbox made remote work the primary experience for all employees and the day-to-day default for individual work, while keeping physical spaces for collaboration and connection. It also published a Virtual First Toolkit on how to work this way. It is one of the best-known examples of a virtual-first company.
Is remote-first the same as fully remote?
Not quite. A fully remote company has no offices. A remote-first company makes remote work the default but may keep hubs or coworking access for people who want them and for team gatherings. Virtual-first is usually used in the second sense.
Related terms
- Hybrid work model The specific rules an organization uses to decide where and when people work, from flexible to office-first.
- Remote work Work done away from the employer's office, usually from home, for all or almost all of the working week.
- Flexible workspace Workspace used on short or on-demand terms, such as coworking desks, bookable rooms and serviced offices, instead of a long lease.
- Hub-and-spoke office model An office network with a central headquarters hub and smaller satellite offices or flexible spaces closer to where people live.
- Hybrid work A way of working where employees split their time between the office and remote locations such as home.
Sources
- Dropbox goes Virtual First, Dropbox
Kadence editorial team · Last reviewed