From Solo to Supported: How Peer Forums Are Changing Remote Work at Cloud Employee
📌 TL;DR
If you run a remote team, you know the drill:
People can be fully booked, fully “connected,” yet still feel disconnected.
We see it all the time.
We have 100s of developers - across the Philippines, LATAM, and beyond - working for clients all over the world. Some are hybrid, some fully remote.
Different clients. Different skills. Different time zones.
But one thing in common:
Working solo most of the time. Heads down. Sometimes isolated. Even when they’re technically in the office.
Video from our recent Cloud Forum.
The “Peer Forum” Idea
Business founder and CEO peer groups like Vistage, YPO, and Hampton have been around for a while - private, trusted spaces where entrepreneurs share what’s really going on.
We asked: What if developers had that too?
The rules were simple:
- No managers.
- No direct teammates.
- Same small group (max 8) meeting monthly.
- Confidentiality first.
The format:
- Share 1 work win + 1 work challenge
- Share 1 personal win + 1 personal challenge
- Group votes on 2 challenges to explore deeply
- No “advice” - just experience-sharing
Read more here
"One of the Most Special Things I’ve Done"
The feedback blew us away:
- Raw, open conversations
- New real friendships
- A safe space to learn and share ideas
- And, yes, plans for a group hike next month
Peer learning might be the strongest form of learning.
Connection in remote work doesn’t just happen - it has to be intentional.
Ericka Go
Head of Employee Experience
Senior Engineer Dani working for a UK Recruitment SAAS.
Beyond the Forum: Always Connected
Cloud Employee’s culture team works hard to make sure this sense of connection isn’t a one-off:
✔ Learning & Development team - ongoing, personalised upskilling for every developer
✔ Employee Experience team - monthly in-person & virtual events to keep the community close
✔ Client Services & Talent Success - consistent, open communication so clients always know what’s happening
Danica’s Take
Danica Manalang, Senior Front-End Engineer, joined Cloud Employee after freelancing:
Freelancing gave me freedom, but it could feel isolating. Here, I’ve got people I can learn from and share with every day - both about work and life.
Why It Works Anywhere
The magic isn’t in the tech - it’s in the structure.
Small groups. Regular cadence. Psychological safety.
Give people that, and they’ll run with it.
We started with developers, but the model works across functions, industries, and roles.
👉 Want to know if your Cloud Employee developer is enrolled in a peer forum? Reach out to your Client Success Manager