Team meetings are a vital part of any organization. They provide an opportunity for team members to come together and discuss important issues, collaborate on projects, and get updates from managers. But if team meetings are not well-organized or run effectively, they can be a waste of time.

If your remote team is looking for some new and fun ways to connect, you’ve come to the right place. From virtual coffee breaks to movie nights and joint calendars, we’ve got plenty of great ideas to help you break the ice and build camaraderie. Here’s how to get started.

Virtual Coffee Sessions

Having regular virtual coffee sessions with your remote team can help improve communication and collaboration. This is a great way to catch up with team members, ask questions, and stay updated on what’s going on. Plus, it’s a great way to socialize and build relationships with people you might not otherwise get to know very well. To make sure everyone gets the most out of these sessions, make sure to keep a few things in mind:

• Give everyone a chance to speak. Since virtual coffee sessions are informal, it can be easy for some people to dominate the conversation. Make sure everyone has a chance to speak by asking questions and giving everyone a turn to answer.
• Keep it focused. Virtual coffee sessions are meant to be a time to catch up and chat, but that doesn’t mean they should go off on tangents. If the conversation starts to veer off track, gently bring it back to the main topic.
• Make it fun. Since virtual coffee sessions are informal, feel free to inject some fun into them. Play games, share funny stories, or just chat about whatever you want. The more enjoyable these sessions are, the more likely people will want to participate in them.

Movie Nights

A movie night on your own is sometimes needed, but watching a movie with your friends while you’re all in different locations is more fun and definitely possible. Just because you work remotely, doesn’t mean you’re not building strong friendships with your team, and movie nights will only help you create that bond.

With today’s technology, it’s easy to set up a virtual movie night with your remote team. Start by choosing a movie that everyone will enjoy. Then, set up a video chat platform like Skype or Google Hangouts. This way, you’ll be able to watch the movie together and chat about it as you go. Setting up the atmosphere is an individual task for all of the team members, but you can do small, quick tours to see how everyone is prepared for the movie.

Have a Joint Calendar

If you’re working with a remote team, it’s important to have a shared calendar that everyone can access. This way, everyone can see what events are happening and when, and plan accordingly. There are a few different ways to do this, including using Google Calendar, as it’s a free and popular option. 

There are also other options available, such as sharing a calendar through Outlook or iCal. Whichever method you choose, make sure that everyone on your team has access to the shared calendar so that everyone is on the same page.

Virtual Company Events

Your remote team may be spread out across the globe, but that doesn’t mean you can’t capture important company events together. With a little planning and some creativity, you can hold virtual events that everyone can enjoy.

Thanks to online platforms, all of your team members can be present at the moment, and you can all have a drink or two together. You can even film company events and share the video with your team later so that they catch a glimpse of the atmosphere in the office.

Play Online Video Games

There are tons of different online games out there that you can play together, no matter what your interests are. For instance, you can play word games as they can be played at any time, no matter where everyone is located. Also, card games are great for team building and can be played at any time. 

Board games are perfect for when you want to have a longer, more strategic session with your team. This is one of the most popular games today, and it’s a great option if you’re opting for a longer session.

Bottom Line

Though the virtual meeting landscape has changed a lot in the past few months, there are still plenty of opportunities for your team to bond and creatively problem-solve together. With a little effort and imagination, you can use these ideas to make your next virtual gathering fun, engaging, and productive.