Being remote helps InVision build better products because it forces us to use our own tools. You mentioned that it's much easier for people to grab a colleague

Being remote helps InVision build better products because it forces us to use our own tools. You mentioned that it's much easier for people to grab a colleague in person and show them something on a whiteboard versus having a virtual meeting - and use this to conclude that it's easier to build products in person versus remotely. Perhaps this is true, and perhaps it isn't true; but as a virtual company InVision is forced to find product solutions to these problems, which leads to innovation. That's how being a remote company helps us build better products. To continue with the whiteboarding example: We created a tool called Freehand that allows you to have virtual whiteboarding sessions that are more flexible than physical whiteboards. Multiple people can whiteboard at the same time, which is harder in person. You can add comments to the whiteboard, create shapes, use colors, and more. Freehands are saved, so you can look back on them later more easily than a physical whiteboard. I think it's more powerful than an actual physical whiteboard and have seen non-remote companies adapt it. You can try it out yourself at: https://freehand.invisionapp.com/ https://freehand.invisionapp.com/ Obviously, not everything about our product is perfect today, but I hope this explains how being remote leads to product innovation. Disclosure: Obviously, I work at InVision.