Certain organisations that have to balance the interactions and behaviours of various team members know that they have to work at developing unity and harmony.
Not everyone is going to like one another in this space, but if efforts are made to build ties and strengthen relationships, then progress can be made.
One of those ventures that is utilised will be online team building projects.
Here we will look at the ways that businesses can not only enjoy results with online team building projects, but make them sustainable in the process.
Getting Fun & Creative
The best way that businesses make online team building projects a sustainable force moving forward will be a focus on having fun and getting creative. In essence, this is a blank canvas that is about connecting with people and developing quality relationships that improve the workplace environment. Rather than instructing strict rules and limitations in this domain, it should be viewed as an opportunity to provide a relief from everyday work pressures, to enjoy a mental health break and to experiment with various formats to achieve higher levels of engagement.
Ensuring Team Members Have Ownership
A common theme that is often found with successful online team building projects will be the level of ownership that staff have with the program. If they are the ones who are managing, monitoring, self-policing and scheduling the building exercises, it will always be sustainable. It is only when it feels like a chore and something that is imposed above them that there is a lack of willingness to get involved.
Assessing Past Case Studies
Being able to build team dynamics through online programs requires businesses to undertake some research on the topic. Instead of sticking with a limited view on the subject, this is a chance to examine past case studies and examine what they did well and what they thought could be improved. From virtual tours to puzzles, trivia, gaming, shared lunch and snack times to debates and reports, there will be dozens upon dozens of examples that can be analysed and picked apart for the benefit of the team.
Encouraging Multi Device Engagement
The top online team building projects for the current climate won’t place limits on the types of devices that are used. While desktop and laptop screens are ideal for a larger screen presence, there may very well be participants that are based in remote locations where tablets or mobiles are the go-to option. This should still be encouraged as it won’t limit their involvement and give them a chance to enjoy some flexibility.
Focus on Team Goals & Targets
There is little point in pursuing online team building projects if they are designed just as an HR exercise. If they are imposed because there is a generic sense of creating a “team environment,” they will never be sustainable. What is the objective in mind? Is this to break the ice for new members? Is it to build leadership skills? Is it to open lines of communication? Is it to encourage creative thinking and problem-solving capacities? Once organisations address that question, they will know the purpose of the exercise.
Saved Streaming Options
The reality of modern workplace environments is that scheduling and availability is not always possible with online team building projects. With this being said, there should be scope for those parties who missed out on one or two sessions to catch up. This will require businesses to save these streams and allow them to be shown at a later juncture for those that need access. It is also a great way to assess progress and see what has worked and what could be improved with these programs moving forward.