The office watercooler chats, pizza Fridays, and competitive ping-pong matches may be things of the past, but that doesn’t mean team building has to be. Virtual team-building events are the new “mandatory fun,” but they don’t have to be something your employees dread. Done right, they can be engaging, hilarious, and just the thing to strengthen bonds in a post-office world.
Why Even Bother With Virtual Team Building?
You might be thinking, “Why go through the effort when we’re all miles apart?” Here’s why it matters:
- Improved collaboration: Teams that bond work better together, even if they do so remotely via virtual team building events.
- Boosted morale: A fun, inclusive event can remind everyone that work isn’t always about deadlines and KPIs.
- Reduced loneliness: Remote work can feel… well, remote. Events like these foster a sense of belonging.
Investing in team well-being isn’t just fluff – it results in happier, more productive employees. And who doesn’t want that?
Step 1: Define the Objective
Before you start looking up icebreaker games or team trivia, ask yourself this: “What’s the point?” (And no, “because HR says so” isn’t enough.)
- Do you want to improve communication between dispersed team members?
- Are you looking to celebrate a recent milestone or success?
- Or maybe you want to relieve some stress and just have fun?
Having a clear goal sets the tone for the event and helps you choose the right activities.
Remember, a trivia night might be fun, but if the team already knows everything about each other, you might not reach that “breaking down walls” objective.
Step 2: Timing Is Everything (Yes, Even That Zoom Link)
Scheduling might just be the hardest part – especially if your team spans multiple time zones. Nobody wants to play charades at 6 AM or do virtual karaoke during their kid’s bedtime.
- Poll your team. Use tools like Doodle or When2Meet to find an ideal time.
- Avoid Fridays at 4 PM. Trust me, by that time, most people are more invested in “logging off for the weekend” than team breakout rooms.
- Keep it short and sweet. Aim for 60 to 90 minutes. Anything longer, and everyone starts checking their emails.
Step 3: Choose the Right Activity
Now for the fun part – picking what to actually do during the event. The possibilities are virtually endless (pun intended).
Some crowd-pleasers include:
- Virtual Escape Rooms
Solve puzzles and escape the digital dungeon together. There’s nothing like simulated danger to bring people closer.
- Online Trivia Competitions
Test everyone’s knowledge of random facts and, inevitably, spark some healthy competition.
- Cooking/Baking Workshops
Bond over a live cooking class – and if someone burns their chocolate soufflé, at least it’s happening in their kitchen.
- Pictionary or Drawing Games
Think of it as modern art meets chaos. Bonus points for hilariously terrible interpretations.
- Murder Mystery Game
Turn your team into amateur sleuths and figure out who committed the virtual crime. Spoiler alert, it’s always someone in HR.
When selecting an activity, keep your team’s personalities in mind. If your group hates the spotlight, maybe skip karaoke night.
Step 4: Set the Stage
Virtual events might lack the ambiance of a rented conference room or tiki bar, but that doesn’t mean they can’t have a vibe. Here’s how to set the stage for success:
- Send invites early so people can block off time (and choose not to wear sweatpants for once).
- Create a theme. Whether it’s tropical getaway attire or “bring your pet to the camera” day, themes inject some fun. Bonus points for team members who commit fully.
- Prepare a playlist. A little pre-event music works wonders to cut through the awkward silence as everyone logs in.
Step 5: Break the Ice
No matter how close your team is, there will always be an awkward start to a virtual event. Break the ice early with a quick, fun activity to get everyone in the spirit.
- Two Truths and a Lie: A classic for a reason – and yes, we all know Mark isn’t really fluent in Klingon.
- Would You Rather: This one sparks passion and laughter – “Would you rather fight 100 duck-sized horses or one horse-sized duck?” Discuss.
Step 6: Facilitate Like a Pro
Virtual events can go off the rails quickly without a good facilitator. It’s all fun and games until Dave starts dominating the conversation or Cindy goes AWOL.
- Appoint a moderator: Someone to guide the activity, keep things on track, and ensure everyone gets a chance to participate.
- Encourage shy participants: Not everyone loves being the center of attention. A simple “What do you think, Sophia?” goes a long way.
- Keep an eye on time: If charades are dragging, it’s okay to move on – nobody likes a 20-minute guessing session.
Step 7: Wrap it Up
Before you say goodbye (and watch everyone awkwardly struggle to leave the Zoom room), make sure to wrap up the event neatly.
- Thank everyone for attending and participating.
- Share highlights or funny moments from the event. (“Can we all take a moment to remember Steve’s… unique drawing of a ‘cat’?”)
- If there’s an upcoming event or initiative, give people a heads-up.
After the event, send out a quick follow-up email – include photos, quotes, or even a short survey asking for feedback. It keeps the camaraderie alive and helps you plan even better events in the future!
To Sum Things Up
Virtual team-building events don’t have to feel like a lame substitute for in-person fun. With the right planning, activities, and a pinch of humor, you can create an experience your team will actually enjoy – and maybe even look forward to (imagine that!).
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Now, go and plan that event – and don’t forget the dad jokes for trivia night. 🎉