First 90 Days: Early Startup Founder's Action Plan
2. Tax Considerations: Understand your tax obligations both in your country of residence and potentially where your customers or team members reside. This can be complex for digital nomads. Seek advice from an international tax advisor who understands remote businesses.
3. Intellectual Property Protection: Register your company name, domain name, and any trademarks. Consider copyright for your original content or software.
4. Founders' Agreement: If you have co-founders, a detailed founders' agreement is non-negotiable. It should cover equity split, vesting schedules, roles and responsibilities, decision-making processes, intellectual property assignment, and exit clauses. This prevents future disputes.
5. Basic Financial Setup: Open a dedicated business bank account. Do not mix personal and business finances. Look into accounting software like Xero or QuickBooks from day one to track expenses and revenue. This provides a clear financial picture and simplifies tax season. For remote teams, consider tools like Wise (formerly TransferWise) for international transfers. Resources: Look for legal services that cater specifically to startups, often offering discounted packages in early stages. Many jurisdictions have incubators or accelerators that provide guidance on these initial steps, like those found in Lisbon or Berlin. ## Week 5-8: Product Development and Early User Engagement With a strong foundation in place regarding vision and legal structure, the focus shifts to building your first tangible offering and getting it into the hands of real users. This period is iterative and requires a lean approach. ### Defining Your Minimum Viable Product (MVP) An MVP is not a fully-featured product. It's the smallest set of features that delivers core value to customers and allows you to learn from their usage. The goal is to get feedback quickly, not to build something perfect. This requires discipline to resist feature creep. Practical Tip: Identify the single most critical problem your product solves. What's the absolute minimum functionality required to solve that problem for your target user? List all potential features, then prioritize them ruthlessly using frameworks like MoSCoW (Must-have, Should-have, Could-have, Won't-have) or Impact vs. Effort. Your MVP should typically focus only on the "Must-have" features. For example, if you're building a project management tool for remote teams, your MVP might only include task creation, assignment, and due dates, not advanced reporting or integrations. ### Building Your MVP (No-Code, Low-Code, or Early Development) For many founders, especially in the remote-first space, speed and cost-effectiveness are paramount. Consider no-code or low-code platforms to get your MVP off the ground rapidly. Tools like Bubble, Webflow, Glide, or Adalo can enable non-technical founders to build functional web or mobile applications. Actionable Advice:
- No-Code First: If your MVP can be built with no-code tools, seriously consider it. This dramatically reduces development time and cost, allowing you to validate your idea faster. There’s a thriving community around no-code development.
- Lean Development: If custom development is required, focus on clean, scalable code for your core features. Avoid over-engineering. Work with a small, dedicated development team or a freelance developer. Platforms like Upwork or Toptal can connect you with remote talent.
- User Experience (UX) Basic Principles: Even for an MVP, a basic level of usability is critical. It doesn't need to be beautiful, but it must be intuitive enough for users to complete key tasks without excessive frustration. Spend a small amount of time on clear navigation and calls to action. ### Identifying and Engaging Early Adopters The moment your MVP is ready, even in a rough state, it's time to get it into the hands of those "early adopters" you identified during your market research. These are the people with the acute problem who are willing to try unproven solutions and provide honest feedback. Strategies for Finding Early Adopters:
1. Personal Network: Reach out to friends, family, and colleagues who fit your target persona. Don't be shy; explain you're looking for honest feedback.
2. Online Communities: Engage in niche-specific forums, subreddits (e.g., r/remotework, r/digitalnomad, r/startups), LinkedIn groups, and Slack communities where your target audience congregates. Offer early access in exchange for feedback. Be genuine, provide value first, and avoid spamming.
3. Hacker News / Product Hunt (for later stages): While not ideal for your very first users, these platforms can be great for a slightly more polished MVP or beta launch.
4. Pre-launch Landing Page: Set up a simple landing page that clearly defines the problem you solve and offers a waitlist for early access. Use tools like Squarespace or Leadpages. Drive traffic to it through targeted social media efforts or relevant online groups. Feedback Collection: Establish clear channels for feedback. This could be a simple Google Form, direct email, scheduled user interviews, or in-app messaging. Actively listen, observe user behavior, and categorize feedback to inform your next development sprint. This iterative feedback loop is crucial for validating your product and ensuring you're building something people actually want to use. You might iterate on this process multiple times within these weeks, making small changes and testing them quickly. ## Week 9-12: Traction, Team, and Funding Fundamentals As your MVP gets into users' hands and you gather initial feedback, the final weeks of the first 90 days are about demonstrating early traction, beginning to build your core team, and thinking about the initial capital injection for growth. ### Measuring Early Traction and Key Metrics "Traction" is an elusive but critical concept for startups. It's not just about user numbers; it's about demonstrating interest, engagement, and potential for growth. What metrics will you track to understand if your product is gaining momentum? Essential Metrics for Early Stage:
- User Acquisition: How many people are signing up or downloading? Where are they coming from?
- Activation: Are users completing a key action that signifies they've received value (e.g., creating a project, sending a message, completing a profile)? This is often called the "Aha! moment."
- Retention: How many users return after their first visit? This is a strong indicator of perceived value. Cohort analysis can be very helpful here.
- Engagement: How frequently do users interact with your product? What features do they use most?
- Feedback & NPS: Qualitative feedback, combined with a Net Promoter Score (NPS) if applicable, helps gauge sentiment. Actionable Advice: Set up basic analytics from day one. Tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or Amplitude can provide invaluable insights into user behavior. Define your single most important "North Star" metric for this early phase. For a productivity app, it might be "weekly active users completing X tasks." For an e-commerce platform, it could be "number of first-time purchases." Regularly review these metrics and use them to inform your product development and marketing strategies. Don't just collect data; analyze it and derive actionable insights. ### Initial Team Building for a Remote Startup For many solo founders, this is the phase where you consider bringing on your first hires or co-founders. Building a remote team introduces specific considerations beyond traditional hiring. Key Considerations for Remote Hiring:
1. Skills Over Location: Prioritize talent and fit over geographical proximity. This opens up a global talent pool. Consider candidates from Mexico City, Hanoi, or Kyiv who can bring diverse perspectives and skills.
2. Culture Fit and Communication: In a remote environment, communication skills, self-motivation, proactivity, and strong written communication are paramount. Look for individuals who thrive in independent work while also being good collaborators.
3. Tools and Infrastructure: Be ready with the right remote work tools: communication (Slack, Discord), project management (Asana, Trello), video conferencing (Zoom, Google Meet), and document collaboration (Google Workspace, Notion). See our guide on essential tools for remote teams.
4. Clear Roles and Responsibilities: Define roles clearly from the beginning. In early-stage startups, team members often wear multiple hats, but a foundational understanding of primary responsibilities is important.
5. Equity and Compensation: Discuss compensation, including equity, transparently. For early hires, equity can be a powerful motivator. Finding Your First Hires:
- Co-founder: If you're looking for a technical or business co-founder, your network, attend startup events (virtual or in-person), and use platforms like cofounderslab.
- Freelancers/Contractors: For specific, short-term needs (e.g., initial web design, specific legal advice), freelancers are excellent. Platforms like Upwork or Fiverr can be useful for finding remote talent.
- First Employees: For roles requiring more commitment, job boards targeting remote workers (like our own remote jobs platform), LinkedIn, and niche communities are good places to start. For specialized skills, looking globally can yield exceptional candidates; consider the time zone implications for digital nomad jobs. ### Exploring Initial Funding Options (Bootstrapping vs. Pre-Seed) Funding is often top-of-mind for founders, but it's important to understand the different paths. * Bootstrapping: This means funding your business entirely from your personal savings, early revenue, or minimal debt. Advantages include complete control and forced frugality, which can lead to sustainable business models. Many successful remote companies started bootstrapped. Considerations include personal financial risk and slower growth if capital is a limitation.
- Pre-Seed Funding: This is the earliest stage of external funding, often from angel investors, friends and family, or small venture capital firms. It's typically used for product development, initial marketing, and early team hires. Preparing for Funding (if seeking external capital):
1. Pitch Deck: Start outlining a concise pitch deck (10-15 slides) that covers your problem, solution, market, traction, team, business model, and funding ask.
2. Financial Projections: Develop realistic three-year financial projections (revenue, expenses, burn rate). Don't just pull numbers out of the air; base them on market research and early user data.
3. Networking: Begin networking with angel investors and venture capitalists. Attend virtual demo days, startup conferences, and your network for introductions. Remember, investors invest in people as much as ideas. Key Takeaway: If you can bootstrap for longer, you generally gain more control and a higher valuation if you do seek external funding later. Only seek funding when you have a clear plan for how that capital will accelerate your growth and when you've achieved demonstrable traction. For a deeper dive into funding, check our article on startup funding strategies. ## Section 4: Operational Excellence for Remote-First Startups Establishing sound operational practices from day one is paramount for a remote-first startup. Without a physical office to centralize activity, clear processes become the backbone of efficiency and communication. This phase focuses on building the scaffolding that ensures your remote team can function cohesively and productively, regardless of geographic spread. Neglecting operations can quickly lead to disorganization, missed deadlines, and a breakdown in team morale. ### Setting Up Core Communication Channels and Protocols Effective communication is the lifeblood of any remote team. It's not enough to simply use a communication tool; you need established protocols for how and when to use them. Over-communication in the early days is often better than under-communication. Key Communication Tools:
- Asynchronous Communication (Primary): Tools like Slack or Discord are excellent for quick queries, sharing updates, and informal chats. Crucially, establish channels for different topics (e.g., #general, #product-feedback, #marketing, #random).
- Synchronous Communication (Secondary): Zoom or Google Meet for video calls. Reserve these for crucial discussions, brainstorming sessions, team building, and one-on-ones. Avoid excessive meetings that could be an email or an async message.
- Documentation: Notion, Confluence, or Google Workspace for shared documents, wikis, and standard operating procedures (SOPs). This creates a single source of truth for all company information, important for transparency and consistency across time zones. Communication Protocols:
1. Asynchronous First: Encourage team members to default to asynchronous communication. This respects different time zones and allows thoughtful responses.
2. Clear Expectations: Define response times. Is it okay to respond within 24 hours, or are certain channels (e.g., #urgent) for immediate attention?
3. Meeting Etiquette: For synchronous calls, have an agenda, assign a notetaker, and distribute summaries afterward. Keep meetings concise and focused.
4. Transparency: Share as much information as possible openly. This builds trust and ensures everyone is aligned with the company's direction.
5. Language and Tone: Be mindful of cultural differences in communication when working with a global remote team. Promote clear, concise language. Example: A daily "stand-up" message in a Slack channel where each team member quickly shares what they did yesterday, what they'll do today, and any blockers, is far more efficient than a daily video call for a globally distributed team. ### Remote Project Management and Workflow Automation Managing projects remotely requires discipline and the right toolkit to ensure tasks are tracked, progress is visible, and accountability is maintained. Essential Project Management Tools:
- Task Management: Asana, Trello, Jira, or ClickUp are popular choices. They allow you to create tasks, assign owners, set due dates, track progress, and organize projects into boards or lists.
- Version Control: For development teams, GitHub or GitLab are critical for managing code.
- Roadmapping: Use tools like Aha! or Productboard for high-level product roadmaps, communicating vision and priorities. Workflow Best Practices:
1. Clear Definition of Done: For every task or project, ensure there's a clear understanding of what constitutes successful completion.
2. Regular Check-ins (Asynchronous): Instead of constant interruptions, establish rhythms for project updates, either daily stand-ups (text-based) or weekly progress reports.
3. Kanban Boards: Visual boards are excellent for tracking task flow, making it easy for anyone to see the status of a project.
4. Dependency Mapping: Understand how tasks rely on each other to avoid bottlenecks.
5. Automate Repetitive Tasks: Use tools like Zapier or Integromat to connect different applications and automate mundane workflows, freeing up valuable time. For example, automatically post new customer support tickets to a Slack channel. Learn more about automation tools for remote workers. ### Cybersecurity and Data Protection for Distributed Teams With a remote team accessing company data from various locations and devices, cybersecurity becomes an even higher priority. A single breach can be catastrophic for an early-stage startup. Key Security Measures:
1. Strong Password Policies and 2FA: Enforce the use of strong, unique passwords for all company accounts, and mandate Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) wherever possible. Password managers like LastPass or 1Password are essential.
2. VPN (Virtual Private Network): Encourage or require team members to use a VPN, especially when connecting from public Wi-Fi networks. This encrypts their internet traffic.
3. Data Backup and Recovery: Implement a cloud-based backup strategy for all critical company data. Ensure regular backups and test your recovery plan periodically.
4. Endpoint Security: Install antivirus and anti-malware software on all company-owned devices. Consider mobile device management (MDM) solutions for greater control.
5. Access Control: Grant employees access only to the data and systems they need to perform their jobs (least privilege principle). Regularly review and update access permissions.
6. Security Awareness Training: Educate your team about common cyber threats like phishing, social engineering, and safe browsing practices. This is often your first line of defense.
7. Compliant Cloud Services: Use reputable cloud providers (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) that have strong security certifications and clear data privacy policies, especially if you're dealing with sensitive customer data. Remember GDPR and CCPA if applicable to your target market. Actionable Advice: Develop a basic cybersecurity policy from the start. It doesn't need to be complex, but it should outline clear guidelines for data handling, device security, and incident reporting. This ensures everyone understands their role in protecting company assets. ## Section 5: Early Marketing & Sales Strategies Even with a fantastic product, your startup won't grow if no one knows about it. The first 90 days are crucial for planting the seeds of your marketing and sales efforts. This isn't about massive advertising campaigns, but rather about focused, data-driven strategies to reach your early adopters and start generating initial revenue. For remote-first companies, digital channels are your most potent weapons. ### Crafting Your Brand Message and Story Before you start shouting from the rooftops, get clear on what you're actually saying. Your brand message is more than just a tagline; it communicates your company's purpose, values, and unique value proposition. Key Elements:
1. Mission and Vision: What problem do you solve, and what future are you trying to create?
2. Target Audience: Revisit your buyer personas. Your message should resonate deeply with them.
3. Unique Selling Proposition (USP): Why are you different and better than the alternatives? This might evolve as you gather feedback, but have an initial strong stance.
4. Tone of Voice: Is your brand professional, casual, edgy, empathetic,? Consistency is key across all communications.
5. Brand Archetype (Optional but helpful): Thinking about your brand as a character (e.g., "The Explorer," "The Sage," "The Magician") can help guide messaging and visual identity. Actionable Advice: Write a simple brand story. This isn't a history lesson; it's a narrative that explains why you started the company, the problem you're addressing, and the transformation you offer your customers. This story can be subtly woven into all your marketing materials, making your brand more memorable and relatable. Ensure your branding is consistent across your website, social media profiles, and any marketing collateral. ### Digital Marketing Fundamentals for Early Validation For remote startups, digital marketing is often the most cost-effective and scalable way to reach potential customers globally. In these early days, focus on channels that allow for targeted outreach and measurable results. 1. Content Marketing (Blog/Social Media): Educational Content: Create blog posts, guides, or short videos that address the pain points of your target audience, without directly selling your product. For example, if you build a tool for remote team productivity, write about "5 Strategies for Improving Remote Team Communication" or "Best Time Management Apps for Digital Nomads." This establishes you as a thought leader. See our content marketing guide. Social Media Presence: Identify 1-2 platforms where your target audience is most active (e.g., LinkedIn for B2B, Instagram for lifestyle, Twitter for tech). Consistently share valuable content, engage with your audience, and participate in relevant discussions.
2. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Basics: Keyword Research: Identify keywords your target audience uses to search for solutions to their problems. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs. On-Page SEO: Optimize your website's titles, descriptions, and content with your chosen keywords. * Local SEO (if applicable): Even for remote, if you're targeting specific cities for remote workers (e.g., Kyoto or Taipei), consider local keywords. While you're not a physical store, "best remote work tools in X" might still apply.
3. Email Marketing (Waitlist & Nurturing): Build an email list from day one. Use a simple landing page or a pop-up on your website to capture emails for early access or updates. Email is an incredibly powerful tool for nurturing leads and announcing your launch. Platforms like Mailchimp or ConvertKit are user-friendly for beginners.
4. Online Communities & Forums: Actively participate in relevant online communities (Reddit, Slack groups, Facebook groups) where your target audience hangs out. Provide value, answer questions, and genuinely engage. Only introduce your product when it's appropriate and offers a clear solution to a stated problem. Avoid blatant self-promotion. Our own community forums (accessible via how it works) can be a great place to connect with other founders. ### Initiating Early Sales Funnel & Customer Acquisition Sales for a nascent startup isn't about mass outreach; it's about personalized engagement with those early adopters and refining your pitch. 1. Direct Outreach: Identify specific individuals or companies that fit your ideal customer profile and reach out directly. Send personalized emails or LinkedIn messages explaining how your solution can specifically address their pain points.
2. Pilot Programs/Beta Testing: Offer a limited number of users free or heavily discounted access in exchange for intensive feedback and testimonials. These early successes can become powerful case studies.
3. Clear Call to Action (CTA): Ensure your website and marketing materials have a clear, compelling call to action: "Sign up for beta access," "Schedule a demo," "Join waitlist."
4. Customer Success from Day One: Even your first users should receive exceptional support. This feedback loop is essential. Provide quick responses, be proactive in checking in, and solicit their opinions. Happy early customers are your best evangelists. Key Takeaway: Focus on quality over quantity initially. Your goal is to deeply understand your first 10-100 customers, learn what works, and refine your approach before scaling your marketing and sales efforts. This early feedback informs everything, including your product, messaging, and future sales strategy. ## Section 6: Financial Prudence and Budget Management For any startup, managing finances wisely is critical. For remote-first businesses, there are specific considerations around international payments, distributed team expenses, and maintaining lean operations without a physical footprint. The first 90 days are not about turning a profit, but about establishing financial discipline and ensuring runway. ### Setting Up Your Initial Budget and Tracking Expenses Before you spend a single dollar, have a budget. This serves as your financial roadmap, helping you allocate funds strategically and avoid running out of cash too soon. Key Budget Categories for a Remote Startup:
1. Founder Salaries/Stipends: If you're paying yourself, allocate a modest amount.
2. Software & Tools: Subscriptions for communication, project management, design, development, CRM, analytics (e.g., Slack, Notion, GitHub, Figma, Mailchimp). This is typically a significant expense for remote-first companies.
3. Development/Freelancer Costs: If you're hiring external developers, designers, or consultants.
4. Marketing & Sales: Domain registration, website hosting, potential ad spend (even small amounts for testing), email marketing platform fees.
5. Legal & Accounting: Business registration fees, legal advice, accountant fees for setup and initial tax guidance.
6. Travel (Optional): If you plan occasional team meetups or attend conferences.
7. Miscellaneous/Contingency: Always have a buffer for unexpected costs. Actionable Advice:
- Track Everything: Use accounting software (e.g., Xero, QuickBooks, WaveApps) or even a detailed spreadsheet to meticulously track every expense and income source. Integrate bank feeds for accuracy.
- Categorize Expenses: Proper categorization is crucial for understanding where your money is going and for tax purposes.
- Forecast Cash Flow: Even a simple month-by-month cash flow forecast (how much money comes in vs. how much goes out) will give you a clear picture of your runway. This is paramount for survival.
- Review Regularly: Dedicate time weekly or bi-weekly to review your budget vs. actual spending. Adjust as needed. Identify areas where you can cut costs without compromising core activities. ### Managing International Payments and Payroll Working with a distributed team means dealing with different currencies, banking systems, and potentially tax regulations. Ignoring these complexities can lead to delays, high fees, and compliance issues. Considerations:
- Cost of Transfers: Traditional banks often charge high fees and offer unfavorable exchange rates for international transfers.
- Speed of Transfers: Payments need to be timely to maintain team morale and vendor relationships.
- Compliance: Understanding tax withholding, social security contributions, and independent contractor laws in different countries can be complex. Tools and Strategies:
1. Wise (formerly TransferWise): An excellent tool for sending and receiving international payments with lower fees and better exchange rates than traditional banks. It allows you to hold balances in multiple currencies. Review our guide on international money transfer tools.
2. Payroll Services for Remote Teams: For employees, consider global payroll solutions like Deel, Remote, or Papaya Global. These services handle compliance, taxes, and payments in various countries, significantly simplifying HR and finance for distributed teams.
3. Independent Contractors vs. Employees: Understand the legal distinction in each country where you engage talent. Misclassifying can lead to significant penalties. For freelancers, ensure clear contracts are in place.
4. Stripe/PayPal: For receiving payments from customers, these are standard and reliable options, offering multi-currency support and integration with various platforms. Practical Tip: Engage with an expert in international tax and remote workforce compliance early on. Their advice can save you substantial money and legal trouble in the long run. Even a single consultation can be invaluable. ### Stretching Your Runway: Frugality and Resourcefulness For early-stage startups, every dollar saved is a dollar added to your runway, giving you more time to find product-market fit. Embrace a culture of frugality. Strategies for Being Lean:
- Prioritize Free/Freemium Tools: Start with free tiers of software (e.g., Google Workspace, Asana free, Slack free) and only upgrade when absolutely necessary.
- Open Source Alternatives: Explore open-source software for development, design, or infrastructure where appropriate.
- Negotiate Everything: Don't be afraid to ask for discounts or negotiate terms with vendors, especially as a new customer.
- Outsource Non-Core Activities: Don't hire a full-time employee for tasks that can be done economically by a freelancer or virtual assistant (e.g., content editing, basic admin, social media scheduling). Explore our talent platform for freelancers.
- Delay Non-Essential Expenses: Hold off on fancy branding, expensive office furniture (if you ever get one), or large marketing campaigns until you have validated your product and secured a stable revenue stream.
- Iterate Quickly, Fail Fast: By validating your ideas quickly and pivoting when necessary, you avoid pouring resources into solutions that no one truly wants. This is the ultimate form of financial prudence. Example: Instead of hiring a full-time graphic designer immediately, use tools like Canva for basic branding assets or hire a freelance designer for a single project (e.g., your logo and website mockups). As your business grows and your design needs become more complex, then consider a dedicated hire. ## Section 7: Legal, Compliance, and HR Foundations While thrilling, the early days of a startup are also riddled with legal and administrative complexities, especially when building a remote-first company across various geographies. Ignoring these can lead to significant issues down the line. Laying a solid legal and HR foundation now saves you immense headaches and potentially costly court battles later. ### Essential Legal Protections and Agreements Beyond basic business registration, there are several legal documents and considerations crucial for your startup's long-term health. 1. Website Terms of Service (TOS) and Privacy Policy: These are non-negotiable, especially for any online product or service. Your TOS outlines the rules for users and your responsibilities, while the Privacy Policy details how you collect, use, and protect user data (essential for GDPR, CCPA compliance if you have users in those regions).
2. Independent Contractor Agreements: If you're working with freelancers globally, contracts are vital. They define the scope of work, payment terms, ownership of intellectual property, confidentiality clauses, and clearly state the individual is an independent contractor, not an employee. This protects you from misclassification claims.
3. Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs): Use NDAs when discussing sensitive information with potential partners, investors, or early contractors who have access to your proprietary ideas or technology.
4. Data Protection and Privacy: Understand data privacy regulations (like GDPR in Europe if you have users or employees there, or CCPA in California). Implement appropriate consent mechanisms, data protection practices, and appoint a data protection officer if required. For many startups targeting global markets like those in Tallinn or Singapore, this is a critical consideration.
5. Intellectual Property (IP) Assignment Agreements: Ensure all founders, employees, and contractors legally assign any intellectual property created during their work to the company. This prevents future claims of ownership that could jeopardize your startup. This is often overlooked but incredibly important. Actionable Advice: Do not use boilerplate templates for these documents without review. Consult with a startup lawyer who understands remote and international considerations. Services like LegalZoom can provide initial documents, but customize them with professional legal advice. Investing a few hundred to a few thousand dollars now can prevent millions in future litigation. ### Building Your Remote HR Policies (Even for a Small Team) Even with a handful of people, having basic HR policies establishes expectations and fairness. For remote teams, these policies need to address the unique aspects of distributed work. 1. Work Hours & Time Zones: Define core working hours if needed, or emphasize asynchronous work. Clarify expectations around response times across time zones. Do you expect overlap, or fully flexible schedules?
2. Paid Time Off (PTO) & Leave: Even for contractors, outline expectations for time off. For employees, understand local labor laws regarding sick leave, vacation, and public holidays.
3. Equipment & Expense Reimbursement: What equipment will the company provide (laptops, monitors)? What home office expenses can employees/contractors claim (internet, utilities)? Clearly define these policies to avoid disputes.
4. Performance Management & Feedback: How will performance be evaluated? How often will 1:1s happen? Establish feedback mechanisms to ensure remote employees feel heard and supported.
5. Code of Conduct & Professional Behavior: Outline expectations for respectful communication, anti-harassment, and general professional conduct in a remote, digital