Team building exercises are essential for companies because they help employees learn how to work together. When employees can work together effectively, the company can function more smoothly. Some of the benefits of team-building exercises include:
- improved communication
- increased productivity
- better problem-solving skills
- strengthened relationships
- reduced stress levels
However, it can be challenging to pursue the event when your employees work from home. The physical aspect is a significant element of many team-building exercises, but there are still plenty of ways to pursue it virtually. Fortunately, you can rely on guides to help you throughout the process.
Here’s what you’ll need to do to get started with a virtual team-building exercise:
Identify the Ideal Platform
Selecting the right platform is essential for hosting a virtual team-building exercise. The ideal platform should be easy to use and accessible for all employees. It’s also important to consider the number of employees participating in the event. Determining the headcount will help you select the right platform.
Once you’ve selected the ideal platform, it’s time to determine the activities that will take place during the event. This step is crucial because it will help ensure that all employees are engaged and participating in the activity.
However, you might have to purchase the platform once identified. The price will depend on the features offered and the number of employees using it.
Selecting a Team-Building Activity
When planning a virtual team-building exercise, selecting activities that will engage all employees is essential. The goal is to promote communication and collaboration within the team. Fortunately, there are plenty of activities that you can pursue, such as:
- group discussions
- problem-solving exercises
- virtual scavenger hunts
- trivia games
Fortunately, you can find plenty of guides to help you select a suitable activity. These guides can provide you with all the information you need to ensure that your event is successful.
Clear Everyone’s Schedule
It’s essential to ensure everyone’s schedule is clear before starting the virtual team-building exercise. The last thing you want is for someone to have to leave in the middle of the event.
Therefore, sending all employees a calendar invite that includes the event’s date, time, and duration is essential. This step will help ensure everyone is on the same page and knows when they’re supposed to be available.
Additionally, it would help if you created a backup plan in case someone has to leave early or can’t participate in the event. A backup plan will help ensure the event runs smoothly, even if there are hiccups.
Prepare for Technical Difficulties
You already know the challenges with managing a virtual team, so experiencing problems in the team-building event should come as no surprise. Even though you’ve selected the perfect platform and sent out calendar invites, there’s always a chance that something could go wrong. Technical difficulties are common when hosting a virtual event.
Therefore, it’s essential to have a backup plan in place in case the platform you’re using doesn’t work correctly. Additionally, you should test the venue before the event to ensure everything is working. Unfortunately, one of your primary enemies is internet connectivity. You might not have control over what is happening with your team’s internet connection, especially if they are in a remote area.
One of the best backup plans for technical difficulties in virtual events is to use a phone line. This way, your team can still participate in the event even if the internet connection is lost.
Should many team members encounter internet connection issues, it might be better to cancel the event for a later date. Who knows? You might even be able to pursue the team-building exercise physically when everyone is willing to travel.
Securing a Token of Participation
A token of participation can be a great way to help team members remember the virtual team-building exercise. By sending them a physical item, you can help ensure that they’re engaged and participating in the activity.
Plus, a token of participation can be a great way to show your appreciation for their involvement in the event. It can also remind them how well they worked together as a team.
If you’re planning to send out a physical item, it’s essential to ensure that everyone’s address is in the invite. This will help ensure that everyone receives the item. Custom trophy buckles are excellent virtual team-building tokens, especially when you have competitive games in the remote meet-up. You can purchase them in bulk, ensuring every team member has something to take home from the event. Other outstanding tokens include custom-printed T-shirts, coffee mugs, and water bottles.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your virtual team-building exercise is successful. Just remember to be prepared for anything that might go wrong. With some planning, you can create an event that will engage and motivate your employees.
