Working remotely has a plethora of advantages, but one of the downsides is employees feeling disconnected from their colleagues. However, it’s possible to remedy this with the right culture. Supervisors and other higher-ups can get the most from their employees by creating an environment of collaboration and fun. All it takes are a few small changes, including standardized Zoom office backgrounds free of charge and more opportunities for socialization.
Building a Sense of Community
Your team should be more than an assortment of professionals. It should feel like a community. Supervisors can cultivate strong team bonds in several ways:
- Sending out birthday wishes
- Publically celebrating individual achievements
- Creating a weekly team newsletter
Bring Fun to the Meetings
Not every team meeting will be fun and games, but you should add a lighthearted element to the beginning or end. Otherwise, team members will dread meetings, decreasing the likelihood of engagement. A bit of fun acknowledges that workers are human beings and function best when treated as such.
One great approach is to set aside 10 or 15 minutes at the start of the meeting for everyone to catch up. That way, everyone can settle in, and there won’t be as much cross-talk while you’re addressing agenda items. Of course, this shouldn’t be your only attempt to add fun; make sure you shake things up occasionally with the following tips.
Try Out New Backgrounds
Usually, a virtual office background promotes professionalism. In fact, backgrounds with the company logo are an excellent way to promote your brand in meetings with clients and vendors. However, there are also plenty of cool and even downright funny options.
For team meetings, staff can afford to let their hair down a little. Encourage people to find the most ridiculous background and try various filters. As long as everything is safe for work, it’s an easy way to help everyone relax.
Munch on Snacks
Pizza is a great way to incentivize attendance at in-person meetings, but throwing a virtual pizza party is easier said than done. However, you can adapt the idea to fit video conferences.
If possible, team members can order their own pizzas and have a lunch meeting. Alternatively, everyone can bring their favorite snack or beverage. Just remind everyone to mute themselves when chewing — crunching into the microphone is the last thing anyone wants to hear.
Utilize Team-Building Activities
Team building activities are a great way to help people break out of their shells and think as a cohesive unit. The following are all great options for remote teams:
- Everyone lists three things they’d bring to a deserted island
- Everyone gives a brief tour of their home office
- Everyone splits into two groups and competes at trivia
In addition to providing an office background free of charge, make sure your staff also have all the necessary equipment to perform their jobs. High-quality software is a major investment, but the payoff in efficiency and morale is worth the money. When employees feel cared for, they’re more than happy to give their all.