In a traditional office setting, employees have the luxury of physical interactions, spontaneous discussions and regular water cooler talks. However, in a remote environment, casual conversations and in-person connections can be difficult to foster. Here, virtual employee engagement holds importance.
Now you must be wondering – How to keep remote teams motivated and connected? How to create a workplace filled with energy, excitement and collaboration even despite teams being spread out globally?
The answer is simple. Virtual events!
Virtual events aren’t just another Zoom call. They are opportunities for boosting morale. Here, collaboration can be promoted, fun experiences can be created and the best part is that everyone can enjoy from the comfort of their own homes. If your aim is to strengthen team bonds and improve communication or simply add fun into the workday, the right virtual team building activities can make a difference.
This blog will explore some of the best virtual event ideas, which will help elevate your employee engagement efforts. Ranging from creative team-building games to wellness challenges, there’s something for everyone.
Why is Employee Engagement Important in Virtual Work?
Before we delve into event ideas, let us first understand why employee engagement matters for remote teams. Remote employees can often feel disconnected from the organization. They miss daily in-person interactions which help build strong relationships and sense of belonging.
Engaging remote employees through virtual events can help bridge this gap. It not only boosts job satisfaction but also improves overall team morale which leads to an increase in productivity, and enhances mental and physical wellbeing.
When teams are actively involved, the work environment improves. It becomes positive and leads to a healthier, happier workforce team.
Top 20 Innovative Virtual Events to Energize Employees
1. Virtual Happy Hours
Host a virtual happy hour at the end of a hectic week. Everyone can grab their favorite drink, log into a video call, and just chat.
It’s similar to a post-work office get-together, except virtual. This is the time when co-workers get to unwind. You can even go one step further. Try adding a game or two to the happy hour to make it more fun!
2. Virtual Escape Rooms
Challenge the problem-solving skills of your team through a virtual escape room. This activity can be a mental test for the participants. They simply have to solve puzzles and complete tasks. This results in the strengthening of team spirit, in a fun and thrilling environment.
3. Team-Building Games
Boost the team’s energy and teamwork with online games. These include games like Trivia, Pictionary, and virtual scavenger hunts. Such games make employees think out of the box and use their creativity.
Read More: Virtual Games to Play with Coworkers
Another benefit offered by such games is that they improve communication skills and encourage team members to enjoy themselves.
4. Employee Recognition
Taking time to recognize the hard work of your team can be beneficial. Host a small virtual event and give shoutouts or awards to acknowledge individual and team achievements. The biggest advantage of doing this is that it motivates remote employees to deliver their best, and makes them feel values.
5. Virtual Coffee Breaks
The best connections often happen during a coffee break. Arrange short virtual coffee breaks where team members can talk about anything besides work.
Benefit is simple – informal sessions help people bond and feel closer to their colleagues.
6. Fitness Sessions
Organize online yoga or meditation sessions to encourage your remote team to stay active. This is not only beneficial for physical health but also aids in reducing stress. When employees feel well physically and mentally, they perform better.
7. Online Game Tournaments
Chess, card games, or even multiplayer video games can be turned into fun competitions. Divide the team into groups or let them play individually, and offer rewards for the winners to induce friendly competition and fun in your remote team-building activities.
8. Virtual Workshop
Workshops help the employees acquire new skills. The workshop may relate to a professional domain like learning the art of public speaking.
Alternatively, it may focus on something enjoyable like learning about photography, content creation, etc. It’s essentially about fostering growth and rendering work lives more rewarding.
9. Virtual Talent Show
Offer your team a platform to demonstrate their skills. You never know what talents they might have! They could possess talents like singing, beatboxing or even dancing. Such opportunities give them a chance to unveil a hidden talent.
Talent shows contribute towards unifying everyone and provide a unique way to bond with others. Importantly, they are always entertaining.
10. Cooking Together: A Fun Challenge
Consider arranging a virtual cooking class or challenge. Select a simple recipe and get everyone to prepare it during the session, in real-time. As the session comes to an end, encourage participants to exhibit their dishes. It’s an enjoyable approach to bond over food!
11. Book Club: Bond Over Stories
Initiate a book club. Your team members can all read the same book and can discuss it collectively. This activity supports deeper conversations and aids in connecting people at a more intellectual level.
12. Wellness Challenges: Focus on Well-Being
Conduct a wellness challenge for your team. It could be a step-count competition. It may also be a daily gratitude practice. Such practices are an excellent way to promote mental health and help in keeping your team energized as well.
13. Networking Events: Meet and Greet
Create virtual networking sessions for employees to connect across departments. Such sessions help individuals learn more about each other and help build stronger working relationships.
14. Pet Parade: Show Off Furry Friends
Encourage employees to introduce their pets to the other team members virtually. It makes for great lighthearted fun. Such an event always brings a smile to everyone’s face.
15. Virtual Movie Nights
Select a popular movie and stream it together. Afterwards, have a casual discussion about the movie. This is a simple way to unwind. It also acts as a means to connect with your team outside of work.
16. Office Olympics
Come up with different virtual office games ideas. These can include trivia contests, memory challenges or mini drawing competitions. The main goal is to have fun while boosting team morale.
17. Mystery Games
Launch a mystery game. Here employees can take on roles of detectives and they have to solve interesting fictional cases. Events like these encourage teamwork and critical thinking. They also induce an element of excitement in the participants.
18. Q&A Sessions
Set up a platform for your team to ask questions. It can also be a place for them to share feedback. The aim is simple – making everyone feel valued, connected and heard.
19. Art Classes: Unleashing Creativity
Ignite the creative side of your remote team members. You can do this by simply organizing a virtual art class. They are relaxing, fun and give employees something new to try.
20. Volunteering Together: Difference Makers
Make plans for virtual volunteering events. Here, employees can work together to support a cause like mentoring students or raising funds for a chosen charity. This is great to build a sense of community and purpose in your team members.
Conclusion
So these were some of the innovative virtual events ideas to elevate the employee engagement levels, in a remote work setting. Try out these top 20 amazing ideas and see the difference you can make!
FAQ
It is important as it helps in building strong connections, boosts morale and increase the overall productivity in a remote setting.
There are a variety of virtual activities to engage employees like virtual happy hours, escape rooms, team-building games, etc.
