Utilizing Play To Engage Employees Virtually
Now, with so many working virtually, it’s never been more important to connect your team. According to one study by Slack, 85% of workers want to feel closer to their remote colleagues. How do you help to build those bonds? One way is to provide opportunities for them to play and engage with one another. Here are some ways you can engage employees virtually…
Incorporate recess into your virtual meetings
When did you feel closest to your classmates when you were growing up? When the teacher was conducting a lesson at the front of the room? Or, when you were out on the playground at recess? Yes, it’s important to have speakers conduct business in your virtual meeting. But, don’t forget to work in recess! Teachers know that when kids don’t get recess, they go a little stir crazy. Likewise, with the abundance of virtual meetings, Zoom fatigue can set in. So, give people a much-needed break. This can be something simple, like pumping out some music and leading an impromptu dance break. Or, inviting people to take part in something like our Take Note virtual game, which consists of 6 short challenges that can be released throughout the course of a meeting. Your group will get to get up and have a blast taking fun photos and making brief videos that bring your meeting theme to life!
Host Virtual Games for Your Team
Play-based activities get people to connect as human beings. When you play a game with colleagues, suddenly, you don’t just think of them as “Jack from Accounting.” Now you get to see Jack’s true self. Turns out he is funny, competitive, and smart as a whip! Games that are played in breakout rooms are ideal, as people aren’t just watching something entertaining in a main web chat room. Rather, when face to face and contributing to a team’s effort, they have to participate and collaborate with one another, which is when the magic happens…. But, be respectful of your team’s personal time. Studies are proving that those who work remotely are working 2-3 hours longer than they did when working from the office. And, when you’re working from home, oftentimes family are hovering nearby and wondering when they’ll be done. Consider hosting the games during work hours, so it feels like a treat – not just another thing they have to make time for.
Use Play to Engage New Hires With Your Content and Your Company
Play-based activities get people to connect as human beings. When you play a game with colleagues, suddenly, you don’t just think of them as “Jack from Accounting.” Now you get to see Jack’s true self. Turns out he is funny, competitive, and smart as a whip! Games that are played in breakout rooms are ideal, as people aren’t just watching something entertaining in a main web chat room. Rather, when face to face and contributing to a team’s effort, they have to participate and collaborate with one another, which is when the magic happens…. But, be respectful of your team’s personal time. Studies are proving that those who work remotely are working 2-3 hours longer than they did when working from the office. And, when you’re working from home, oftentimes family are hovering nearby and wondering when they’ll be done. Consider hosting the games during work hours, so it feels like a treat – not just another thing they have to make time for.
Continue to Use Play to Create a Corporate Culture
Don’t let the fun start and end at onboarding! Keep it going. Offer strategic games, like virtual escape rooms where to engage employees virtually – they can work in teams to solve clues together, to sharpen communication and teamwork skills. In addition to stand-alone games, take time for playful moments as well. During a meeting, stop and give people one minute to type in a joke in a chat box and award a prize to the funniest one. Send a party in a box to your team complete with a party hat, streamers, and noisemakers they can pull out to celebrate a company milestone or product launch.
It’s a proven fact that play can alleviate stress, reinforce learning, and forge strong bonds with those around you. And, during these trying times, it’s even more important than ever to help your people smile and keep a positive mindset. So go ahead and play – your employees will thank you for it!
Wildly Different
Wildly Different
Wildly Different
Wildly Different
Wildly Different
