Since the global pandemic began in the year 2019, many of us have turned our homes into our new offices. With thousands of businesses across the world now operating virtually it can become a lonelier environment and for many it can feel like the sense of team spirit has slowly diminished.
Team building exercises have been a useful tactic used for years by companies. Not only does team building encourage communication, it also can boost the morale of a team by bringing people together. Undoubtedly, this hasn’t been an easy task since the pandemic hit.
Here is a useful guide into how you can successfully engage in team building exercises in 2021.
Virtual Meetups
More often than not, we associate video calls with work meetings, but this doesn’t always have to be the case. Although some people may not be comfortable to meet in person it can be nice to hold virtual meetups outside of work so team members can re-connect in a more comfortable setting. If you’re afraid of any awkward silences or talking over one another than a monthly virtual quiz could be a nice way to get everyone together and more importantly have a laugh. Check out these ideas for some cracking quiz inspiration.
Embrace The Great Outdoors
Depending how far across the map your team spreads, it can be nice to explore the great outdoors, socially distanced of course. Getting together in small groups can be a great way to give your team a break from their computer screens. Team building company, Team Tactics are an incredible organisation who can help you plan some fantastic outdoor experiences for you and your team to enjoy. It’s worth checking them out as you may get some great inspiration on what you can do with your budget.
Create Interest Groups
During the pandemic, many people have tried their hand at a new hobby. You can encourage your employees to connect via shared interests by encouraging the creation of clubs or activity groups. Office book clubs are certainly on the rise, and you won’t have to travel to find a group of employees who have an interest in sport. Giving employees an outlet to escape the madness of work can give your team a chance to explore their own interests whilst continuing to build connections with their fellow co-workers.
Hold Friendly Competitions
People love to engage in friendly competition. Trivia challenges and online game tournaments can be an effective way to bring a team together away from the pressures of work life. As well as partaking in online games, it can be a great idea to create a competition that involves exercise. Not only does exercise boost endorphins, but it can also encourage your employees to stay fit and healthy and allows them some breathing space away from their computer screens.
If you have different departments in your work place it can be a lot of fun for your departments to go head-to-head in monthly competitions. Maybe you work in sales, and you want your department to make the most money that month. Or maybe you work in content writing and want to see whose team can hit the highest word count in one week. A little healthy competition can be hugely mentally stimulating and help put a spring in your co-worker’s step.
Give A Token of Appreciation
The pandemic has taken a toll on most of us. Working from home can often lead to team members feeling burnt out. A small token of appreciation can really go a long way. Check out these handy letterbox gifts. They could provide a great pick-me-up for your co-workers, and it lets them know that you appreciate the work that they’ve done. I mean everyone loves a gift, right?
