BRINGING HEART, CONNECTION, AND HUMANITY TO THE VIRTUAL WORLD

A DeW Spotlight on Tari Sixpence & Nyasha Maripakwenda

Connecting with someone from the other side of the world has become more accessible then ever. With applications like Zoom, Slack, Asana, there’s a virtual solution to every need that crops up for a modern day business.

It’s no secret that technology and remote solutions have wiggled its way into the dental industry. Whether it’s hiring virtual assistants or employing the use of AI to manage an aspect of your business, technology has changed the way we operate, communicate, and progress.

But everything that promises ease and convenience always comes with a caveat. In the case of remote team members–Will hiring a remote staff take the heart, soul, and the certain “je ne sais quoi” that comes with building in-person connections and relationships?

That’s where Zimworx steps in.

MEET TARI & NYASHA

Let’s take you behind the scenes of Dental Entrepreneur Media for a bit. Specifically, we want you to meet our operations specialist, Tari Sixpence, and our marketing strategist, Nyasha Maripakwenda.

Based in Zimbabwe, Zimworx has connected us to two incredibly gifted, motivated, and impressive women.

Nyasha began her academic journey with a degree in Business Management, majoring in Marketing. Her passion for the field led her to further her expertise with a certificate in Digital Marketing from the Marketers Association of Zimbabwe. As a proactive and determined individual, Nyasha is dedicated to staying ahead in an ever-changing industry by pursuing a Master’s degree in Marketing Strategy with plans to pursue a PhD to deepen her experience.

“I’ve always believed that learning is a lifelong process,” Nyasha says. “Each educational milestone has been a building block for my career. The insights I gained have been instrumental in shaping my approach to marketing and my role in a virtual setting.”

Tari’s academic background is equally impressive. She started with a degree in Accounting and Finance from Malaysia, a foundation that initially set her on a different career path. It was her curiosity and desire to integrate business and agriculture that led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Agribusiness. Her long-term goal involves pursuing a PhD in Agribusiness and Project Management, both fueled by her commitment to continuous learning and growth.

“My academic journey has been diverse, which has equipped me with a broad skill set,” Tari explains. “The blend of finance, agribusiness, and project management has given me a unique perspective, which I now apply to my role in the remote team.”

The Path To Dental Entrepreneur Media

Hiring and onboarding team members is often an overwhelming task riddled with anxiety and uncertainty.

Not to mention, it can be a costly and time-consuming process as you review applications, take a chance with what hopefully might be a great fit, and hope everything works out in the long run. This is especially true for remote teams and virtual hires.

Fortunately, thanks to Zimworx’s attention to detail, fostering an impressive workplace culture, and dedication to the happiness of their team and talent, Tari and Nyasha weren’t just the perfect fit for Dental Entrepreneur Media – they’re integral and irreplaceable members of the team.

Prior to Tari joining the Dental Entrepreneur Media team, her predecessor, Kuda, also a talent from Zimworx, was highly involved in the process of finding her replacement. Although Tari’s interview would not be described as a success (in the traditional sense), Zimworx’s handselecting candidates to cater exactly to the needs of their clients made this a tremendous achievement.

“I was late to my interview, which could have been a setback,” Tari recalls. “However, the recruitment team saw potential in me despite my unconventional background in project management rather than media. They appreciated the unique perspective I could bring, which ultimately led to my selection.”

Both Zimworx and Dental Entrepreneur Media live by the old adage, that learned skills are trainable, but personality, work ethic, and cultural fit can’t be forced. It just has to work. It’s why Zimworx’s hand selection process and getting to know intimately the priorities and cultural nuances of a team is highly critical to the success of growing a remote team.

It’s why Nyasha agrees, “My initial interview didn’t go as planned, but I learned from the experience. During my second interview with Anne, I was able to showcase my marketing skills more effectively. This time, I felt that my background aligned well for what Dental Entrepreneur Media was looking for.”

And to make sure that Nyasha was the perfect fit for Dental Entrepreneur Media, Tari worked alongside Anne to carefully select a Marketing Strategist who was in full alignment with the unique blend of personalities that made up the team.

Growing Rapidly As A Virtual Team And Fostering Personal And Professional Fulfillment

Although remote work isn’t traditionally the norm, it has increasingly become a growing part of business in the 21st century. The newness of virtual teams presents lots of challenges, one of which being the fostering of seamless work culture along with personal and professional fulfillment.

However, that hasn’t been a challenge for both Tari and Nyasha. Tari has found working at Zimworx both fulfilling in the career department and in her own personal development. Zimworx has made it possible for Tari to lean into one of her greatest passions in life – mentoring and leaving a positive impact on the younger generation. Her affinity for investing in future generations is met through the various charity programs made available by Zimworx.

“One of the highlights of working here is our involvement in various charitable initiatives. The literacy program where we teach children is particularly close to my heart. It’s incredibly rewarding to contribute to such meaningful work and see the tangible impact we can make on the community.”

On the professional side, Dental Entrepreneur Media has provided both Tari and Nyasha with a professional playground where their natural strengths get to bask in the spotlight. “The work environment at Dental Entrepreneur Media is both supportive and inspiring,” Nyasha shares. “We have the opportunity to engage in projects that are not only professionally enriching but also socially impactful. A memorable experience was when we surpassed our targets for a charity event. It was a testament to the team’s hard work and commitment, and it reinforced the importance of working towards a common goal.”

How To Navigate A Remote Team And Virtual Workspace

Having a finger on the pulse of what your client’s and virtual workers need is key to making sure you’ve got a great cultural fit for your company. However, that doesn’t mean that virtual work and remote teams don’t face some logistical challenges.

When the entire team works in their own respective spaces and time zones, having accountability is incredibly important. It requires a lot of self-discipline, proper time management, and a level of personal organization.

“Working remotely requires a high degree of selfdiscipline and time management. It’s essential to stay organized and communicate effectively with team members. Additionally, maintaining work-life balance can be challenging when your home becomes your office,” Tari shares.

Nyasha echoes these sentiments, adding “Adapting to a remote work environment can be tough initially. There’s a learning curve in mastering virtual communication tools and maintaining a sense of connection with colleagues. However, with time and practice, these challenges become manageable.”

The Dental Entrepreneur Media team makes a consistent effort to foster a productive and enriching work environment. An integral part of this process is kicking each work day off with a daily morning huddle. These morning huddles ensures that the Tari, Nyasha, and Anne are all on the same page. But on a deeper level, these morning huddles offer a touchpoint for the team to check in with each other, how we can lift one another up both professionally and personally, and what sort of support we need in order to thrive in our strengths.

On top of that, what makes the dynamic at Dental Entrepreneur Media so powerful is Anne’s constant dedication to fostering personal relationships with the entire team. Each monthly meeting kicks off with an update on each team member’s lives so that the team can start building an intimacy beyond the production and output they offer.

Anne is a huge proponent of connecting with integrity and authenticity. It’s why in this virtual world, Dental Entrepreneur Media hosts the annual DeW Life Retreat in North Carolina, which both Tari and Nyasha had the pleasure of attending last year.

“It’s incredible that we were able to get both Tari and Nyasha out for the DeW Life Retreat,” Anne says. This was a pivotal moment for the Dental Entrepreneur Media team as we got to connect the DeWs to Tari and Nyasha, so they know exactly who they’re speaking to whenever they send an email or connect on social media.

Faith And Guidance In The Professional Journey

Faith plays a pivotal role in Tari and Nyasha’s professional lives. Both attribute their success to a sense of divine support and guidance. Tari reflects on that influence, “From the recruitment process to our daily tasks, I see God’s hand in everything. Anne and I often pray for guidance and for the right people to join our team. It’s amazing to see those prayers answered and to feel a sense of divine direction in our work.”

Nyasha adds, “Faith has been a significant source of strength throughout my journey. Whether it’s achieving our goals or navigating obstacles, I feel a constant sense of divine support. This belief helps me stay motivated and focused on our mission.”

Advice For Businesses Growing Virtual Teams

Any business charging on into the age of technology will eventually expand and tap into the opportunities of growing a virtual team. As experienced professionals in the ever-evolving landscape, Tari and Nyasha offer valuable advice.

“Always remain open to learning and growing. Embrace your strengths and work on your weaknesses,” Tari divulges. Taking the time and going the extra mile to hand-select a virtual team member who fulfills the needs of the team is going to benefit your business in the long run. Because building a team where your strengths reach far into various corners helps you cover more ground. Instead of having a team that shares the same expertise, you’ll have a team that has experience and natural talent across multiple facets of the business.

Tari also adds, “Don’t underestimate the power of prayer and faith in guiding you through your journey. It’s important to stay grounded and focused on your goals.”

Nyasha emphasizes the importance of perseverance and support, “Keep striving for personal and professional growth. Support one another, and view every challenge as an opportunity for learning. Remember to appreciate the journey and celebrate your progress along the way.”

As the landscape of work continues to evolve, the role of remote teams will only become more integral to various industries. Tari and Nyasha’s experiences highlight the potential for remote work to drive positive change and enhance operational efficiency.

Their experiences at Zimworx and Dental Entrepreneur Media highlight the potential for remote work to drive positive change, enhance operational efficiency, and build healthy team dynamics. Their stories reflect a broader trend towards embracing flexibility, leveraging diverse skill sets, and fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment.

Their journey is a testament to the transformative power of remote work and the personal and professional growth it can foster. As they continue to excel in their roles, Tari and Nyasha serve as inspiring examples of how remote teams can make a significant impact, both within their organizations and in the wider community – especially when carefully and thoughtfully selected, supported, and nurtured professionally and personally.