Companies are starting to offer flexible work arrangements that allow employees to work from home, which can lead to higher productivity and better access to talent. In this article, we’ll talk about how you can build a solid collaborative environment if your team members don’t work in the same office.
Schedule watercooler breaks
Since your team members don’t have access to a water cooler, you can create one for them. You can use a video chat platform to schedule breaks for your team members or ask them to join a meeting 10 minutes early. You can also encourage your team members to talk about anything that’s on their minds during the day.
Set up icebreaker activities
Since some people feel awkward when talking to strangers, encourage your team members to participate in icebreaker activities to help them learn more about each other. There are so many ideas for icebreakers that you can easily find on the internet. For instance, you can create a small ice-breaking game for each meeting.
Virtual happy hour
Reward your team members for their hard work by organizing a virtual happy hour, where they can join a video chat, play a game, or enjoy a drink or treat. Some games that can be used for remote workers include Pictionary, Catchphrase, Family Feud, and Charades.
Virtual scavenger hunt
A scavenger hunt is a fun way for team members to take a break from their working hours. You can try out online scavenger hunts such as The Hike, which remote workers create. You can also create your own game and test it out.
A game you can create is simple: Have each team member create a list of five things they want their colleague to do, and then encourage them to complete these tasks. You can also schedule a virtual meeting to share their completed projects.
Personality assessments in the workplace
Mini personality assessments, such as the MBTI or DISC, are great tools for gathering information about your team members. Give your team members the opportunity to complete these tests, and then schedule a video call to discuss their results. These assessments can help them improve their communication skills and collaborate more effectively.
Lunch and Learn sessions
If one of your team members is passionate about a certain topic, you can ask them to discuss it during a regular meeting. It can be done over a lunch or breakfast meeting, and it’s up to the organization whether you or an external expert facilitates it. Depending on the budget, you can also add a quick quiz at the end and provide rewards to the winners.