Feeling the disconnect with your remote team? This article explores 7 creative and fun activities to boost engagement, build stronger bonds, and cultivate a thriving remote work environment for your startup.
Highlights
The Importance of Team Building for Startups
Building a strong team culture is crucial for success. In fact, effective collaboration, open communication, and a sense of camaraderie can greatly improve productivity, innovation, and overall employee satisfaction. However, with the rise of remote work, traditional team-building activities have become hard to implement.
This is where remote team-building activities come into play. They provide a unique chance to strengthen bonds, promote engagement, and create a positive work environment, even when team members are far apart. Surprisingly, only one-third of remote companies take simple team-building actions, showing a big opportunity for improvement.
Moreover, 41% of remote employees find it hard to fit into the company culture. This makes remote team-building activities even more important. They help people feel connected, encourage creative problem-solving, improve communication skills, and make everyone feel like they belong. By taking part in these activities, employees can break free from their daily routines and enjoy interactive experiences that bring them closer together.
As a startup, investing in remote team-building activities can bring many benefits. A cohesive and motivated team is more likely to tackle challenges with enthusiasm, come up with innovative ideas, and work together towards shared goals. By focusing on team building, startups can create a positive company culture, boost employee morale, and ultimately drive long-term success.
Activity #1: Virtual scavenger hunt
A virtual scavenger hunt is an engaging and interactive activity that can bring remote teams together in a fun and competitive way. To participate, team members are given a list of items or tasks to complete within a set time frame. These tasks can range from finding household objects that meet specific criteria to taking creative photos or videos of their surroundings.
Here’s how a virtual scavenger hunt can be organized:
- First, divide the participants into small teams or have them compete individually, depending on how much collaboration you want.
- Next, provide a list of challenges or items to find. Make sure to include a mix of easy and difficult tasks to keep things interesting and fun.
- Then, set a reasonable time limit for the scavenger hunt. This allows teams to strategize and work together efficiently.
- Finally, once the time is up, have the teams share their findings or submissions through a designated platform. Points can be awarded based on how accurate and creative their responses are.
This activity not only encourages teamwork and problem-solving skills but also allows team members to show off their personalities and surroundings. It helps everyone appreciate each other’s unique backgrounds and living environments, fostering a deeper understanding and connection.
Activity #2: Online team trivia
Online team trivia is a classic team-building activity that can be easily adapted for remote teams. This activity encourages friendly competition, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing among team members. By working together to answer various trivia questions, teams can bond over shared interests, challenge their intellectual abilities, and have a good laugh along the way.
Here’s how an online team trivia event can be organized:
- First, choose a suitable online platform or video conferencing tool that allows for interactive trivia sessions, such as Kahoot! or Zoom.
- Next, curate a diverse set of trivia questions covering a range of topics, including pop culture, history, science, and general knowledge.
- Then, divide the participants into teams, making sure to balance knowledge and skill sets.
- After that, establish the rules and scoring system. Clearly communicate these guidelines to ensure everyone has a fair and enjoyable experience.
- Finally, facilitate the trivia session. Assign a moderator to present the questions, keep track of scores, and encourage friendly banter and team collaboration throughout the event.
Online team trivia not only tests participants’ knowledge but also promotes teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking. As teams work together to decipher clues and arrive at the correct answers, they strengthen their bonds and develop a deeper appreciation for each other’s unique strengths and perspectives.
Activity #3: Virtual escape room
A virtual escape room is an immersive and engaging team-building activity that challenges participants to solve puzzles, decipher clues, and work together to “escape” from a virtual environment. This activity promotes critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and effective communication among team members, making it an excellent choice for remote teams.
Here’s how a virtual escape room experience can be structured:
- First, choose a reputable and engaging virtual escape room platform that offers a variety of themed experiences and challenges.
- Next, divide the participants into teams, ensuring a balanced mix of skills and perspectives.
- Then, provide instructions and background information. Introduce the virtual escape room scenario, explain the rules and objectives, and give any necessary background details.
- After that, facilitate the experience. Assign a moderator or facilitator to oversee the activity, provide guidance when needed, and ensure a smooth and engaging experience for everyone.
- Finally, debrief and reflect. After the escape room experience, hold a debriefing session where teams can share their strategies, challenges, and lessons learned.
Virtual escape rooms not only test team members’ problem-solving abilities but also encourage effective communication, delegation of tasks, and creative thinking. As teams navigate through the virtual environment, they develop a deeper understanding of each other’s strengths and weaknesses, fostering a more cohesive and collaborative dynamic.
41% of remote employees find it hard to fit into the company culture
Activity #4: Online cooking class
An online cooking class is a unique and engaging team-building activity that combines culinary skills with social interaction and cultural exploration. By cooking together virtually, remote team members can bond over a shared love of food, learn new recipes and techniques, and gain insights into diverse cultural traditions.
To organize an online cooking class, start by selecting a cuisine or theme. For example, you might choose Italian, Mexican, or vegetarian dishes. Then, hire an experienced instructor. A professional chef can provide step-by-step guidance, share cooking tips, and offer cultural insights.
Next, distribute ingredient lists. Make sure participants receive a list of required ingredients and necessary kitchen equipment well in advance so they can prepare. Encourage everyone to set up their workstations or kitchens in a way that allows for easy visibility and interaction during the class.
Throughout the class, foster interaction and collaboration. Encourage participants to share their experiences, ask questions, and offer feedback. This creates a collaborative and engaging learning environment.
An online cooking class not only teaches new culinary skills but also provides a chance for team members to connect over a shared passion for food. As they follow the instructor’s guidance, participants can engage in friendly banter, share personal anecdotes, and learn about each other’s cultural backgrounds and preferences.
In summary, an online cooking class brings people together in a fun and interactive way, enhancing teamwork and cultural appreciation while everyone enjoys delicious food.
Activity #5: Virtual happy hour
A virtual happy hour is a casual and relaxed team-building activity that allows remote team members to unwind, socialize, and bond in an informal setting. By creating a virtual space for casual conversation and shared experiences, team members can strengthen their personal connections and foster a sense of camaraderie.
To organize a virtual happy hour, start by choosing a suitable platform. Select a video conferencing tool or virtual meeting space that allows for seamless communication and interaction.
Next, set a theme or dress code to add an element of fun and creativity. Themes like “tropical paradise” or “favorite sports team gear” can make the event more engaging.
Encourage participation by inviting team members to bring their favorite beverages or snacks. Suggest they share fun stories or jokes and engage in casual conversation to keep the atmosphere light.
To facilitate conversation and foster a lively atmosphere, incorporate icebreakers, trivia games, or other interactive activities. These can help break the ice and get everyone talking.
Encourage open discussion throughout the happy hour. Invite team members to share personal updates, discuss non-work-related topics, and engage in friendly banter. This helps create a relaxed and inclusive environment.
A virtual happy hour provides a much-needed break from work and allows team members to connect on a more personal level. By fostering open communication and shared experiences, this activity can strengthen relationships, boost morale, and promote a positive and supportive work culture within the remote team.
Building Activities for Remote Team
Remote team-building activities offer a unique way to strengthen bonds, promote engagement, and create a positive work environment. This is true even when team members are spread out geographically. By incorporating activities such as virtual scavenger hunts, online trivia, virtual escape rooms, online cooking classes, virtual happy hours, virtual team-building games, and online fitness challenges, startups can encourage collaboration, communication, and camaraderie among their remote teams.
Jason Fried, the co-founder and CEO of the remote-first company Basecamp, highlights that talent is crucial, but it’s not the whole recipe for success. He emphasizes that effective remote teams go beyond individual skills. They actively build connections, provide encouragement, and offer consistent support to each other. This aligns with the importance of remote team-building activities. These activities strengthen those connections and foster a positive and collaborative work environment.
These activities not only help with social connections but also encourage creative problem-solving. They enhance communication skills and create a sense of belonging among team members. By investing in remote team-building initiatives, startups can build a cohesive and motivated workforce. This boosts employee morale and drives long-term success in a competitive and dynamic business landscape.
