We pretty much live online nowadays. From shopping to watching videos to streaming music, our virtual worlds have become THE world to be in. So, it makes sense that we can do our work online, as well. But even though most office-based jobs could be done remotely, it took a pandemic for organizations to embrace it more. Before the pandemic, for example, only about 7 percent of U.S. employees worked from home. Today, around 35 percent work remotely.
What is Virtual Team Building, and Why Is It Essential for All Companies?
While work can be done remotely, there’s still the need for face-to-face connection and team building. When you have a distributed workforce, though, that can be a challenge. But team building should be a priority for all organizations. It’s important because it can help build trust, strengthen communication, encourage collaboration, and reduce conflict.
Many of you may be familiar with in-person team building activities like trivia contests, scavenger hunts, classes/workshops, community service, or karaoke. While events like scavenger hunts or escape rooms need to be done in person, several types of team building activities can be done remotely. When you create virtual team events, you’re intentionally designing activities that can help those working remotely connect more easily with their co-workers and leadership.
Remote workers may experience feelings of being disconnected from their co-workers or excluded from onsite activities. By scheduling virtual team building activities, you’re helping ensure those working remotely are included in an organization’s mission and goals, while also fostering connections that will lead to better mental health and employee retention.
How Do You Do Team Building Virtually?
Now that you understand why team building is important, the next step is figuring out how to create activities for your remote employees. There are some key items you should consider before you start.
The first, and most important, is to ensure that everyone has a stable internet connection, the proper software or tools, and that they can see and hear each other. The quickest way to spoil fun, corporate virtual team building activities is a bad connection.
You’ll also want to create breakout rooms in the software application you’re using. This will help with smaller group activities, especially when you have a large remote audience participating in the virtual team building events.
Choosing interactive experiences is another important key to successful virtual team bonding activities. Consider options like challenges, games, or quizzes. These often require participation and help foster collaboration.
Finally, make sure you’re regularly scheduling team building experiences for your remote employees. Make it part of your monthly or bi-monthly routine to help everyone stay, and feel, connected.
Ideas for Virtual Team Building Activities
There are quite a few corporate virtual team building activities you can choose from. Let’s look at some of these, especially the ones that involve music.
A virtual cooking class: Like music, food universally brings people together. Bonding over a shared meal is a highlight of living. But even though your employees are remote, they can still enjoy a good meal together. Maybe they can follow a recipe and share their results at the end. Or, maybe each person on the call shows how to make their favorite snack or sandwich. Just like the variety of food, there are so many options you can take with this activity.
A virtual happy hour: Put a twist on the standard happy hour by adding some musical elements to the event. During our Virtual Happy Hour experience, our world-class musicians will guide your remote employees through activities like music trivia, interactive songwriting, and virtual performances. The musicians will perform an original song at the end that showcases all the top moments from the happy hour and record the song for your employees to enjoy later.
A virtual movie viewing: In this activity, everyone watches a movie together and talks about it at the end. Another option is to have people provide running commentary as the movie plays, like how Mystery Science Theater 3000 does it. If a movie is too long, consider some of the many short films available online. Or maybe have everyone offer clips from their favorite movies and talk about why they like them.
A virtual lip sync battle: You read that correctly. This is an activity where people bring out their inner pop stars and perform their favorite songs remotely. Think of it as singing along in your car but behind your desk. Our world-class DJs will guide your team during our Virtual Lip Sync Battle. Your remote employees will come up with their own dance moves to go along with their lip-syncing performances. In the end, the shared experience will help strengthen team bonds and improve communication and a sense of belonging.
A virtual book club: Reading books is hip again. Engage your remote employees by having everyone read the same book and getting together monthly or bi-monthly to discuss what they loved or hated about it. To keep the discussion going smoothly, have one person be the moderator (maybe the person who chose the book for the month). This activity is a great way to build communication among teammates.
A virtual game show: Trivia contests are a fun way to engage employees. With our Virtual Rock & Roll Game Show, remote workers can compete in online virtual team bonding games like “Name That Tune” or “Music Trivia. Our MCs help keep the energy high, and a live band provides a soundtrack for each segment. Different themes, like 80s music or holiday focused, are available to fit your organization’s goals and personality.
A virtual charades game: The classic party game charades translates well for a remote audience. If you’re not familiar with the game, it’s where one person acts out silently a word, movie or book title, or celebrity name. People can play solo or in groups. This inexpensive activity helps people bond and strengthen their creative skills.
Other music-focused virtual team building activities for remote employees include our Virtual Team Anthem, Virtual Song Slam, and Virtual Musical Breaks.
Ready to create team building events for your remote employees that involve the power of music? Connect with us to learn more, and visit our blog for more stories about how music is a great way to bond teams together.