By Craig Bulow, Corporate Away Days
People in your business have had to deal with a lot during recent months. Whilst things may have settled down into a workable routine we know there are further changes to come. To boost morale and support your team’s wellbeing why not introduce some fun events? The kind of thing you would usually do in-person but which can be done remotely.
Let me share some suggestions to get you started.
Gaming together
Most homes have a games console of some description. Whether it’s the latest XBOX, Playstation or even more interactive Nintendo Wii, dust it off and select some competitive games or sports for some healthy competition within your team. The latest models allow us to play interactively. Is it F1, Tennis, Football, Minecraft, Chess, Scrabble? A league leader board can even be set up to motivate those joining in the fun.
Zoom Arts
Many celebrities have made dance classes available. Why not set up a team dance? You could learn a routine to do together when you are finally reunited! The exercise will boost endorphins and could cause lots of laughter. If you’re stuck for dance teachers, get in touch, we have some great teachers available who can bring their own music, routines and fun.
Comedy can be a great team activity. Perhaps you could all vote on a classic comedy sketch, a live stand up performance or an episode of a series. Share it with the group and watch together or separately. Then chat online to discuss the best bits.
Music is a great way to destress and connect with others. Do you have musicians in the team? Use Zoom sessions to share their talents. This is great way to build connections and talk about something other than work. Also, everyone could share a favourite song that cheers them up.
A field trip for grown-ups
Most schools have a summer field trip, so why not your business? Firstly, make sure that work-supplied phones have plenty of data and encourage others to top up their data and pay for it for them, if needed.
Your team can walk in their local woods, nature trail, country park, river, park or beach. Keep the team connected on their phones, coverage allowing, while they walk and share their experiences live.
As well as sharing the what they’re seeing including the wildlife and the weather, they can talk about what the space means to them: did they grow up nearby, have a picnic with their other half when they were first dating, do they walk their dog here? A couple of hours where your team members can share their experiences can encourage better connections with nature - which is obviously beneficial for mental health - and work friends, but not talking about work.
Remote Workouts
Perhaps you could find an activity most of the group will enjoy remotely, such as yoga, body balance or a HiiT workout and hire an appropriate instructor to take the team from the basics, perhaps weekly, until they can all see an improvement.
If you have fitness bunnies on your team maybe they can share their expertise, perhaps taking it in turns to share their tips on sit-ups, stretches etc.
Cooking on Zoom
If people are into food, online cooking can be great fun. Celebrities are offering excellent classes, information and recipes for you to try at home. Getting the team together on Zoom, Facetime etc. to cook a chosen dish or bake a cake, whilst judging the end result on presentation, creates a Master Chef show that has never been easier to win. If you need some help or inspiration, we offer cooking classes with all the ingredients delivered to your door and a master cook from an award-winning cookery school taking you through each step on Zoom.
Cycling and Golf
Of course, not all activities have to be remote. As the lockdown restrictions continue to be eased, there are options for us to get together in twos and later in smaller groups. Now is a great time to build teams that logistically can meet with bikes or a set of clubs and enjoy timeless banter and exercise either on the golf course or checking out cycle routes close to homes. As long as social distancing is maintained, this is a great way to improve skills and fitness levels until bigger teams can enjoy an organised company away day.
I hope this inspires you arrange a remote event. It will benefit all involved and the business too.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Craig Bulow is the founder of Corporate Away Days, a corporate wellbeing events company delivering engaging, inspiring and exciting events focussed on Wellbeing and Reward activities. Corporate Away Days also creates, designs and builds corporate wellbeing policies and provides leading experts for interactive workshops, seminars and talks on improving mental health and overall wellbeing.
Web: http://www.corporate-away-days.co.uk/
Instagram: corporateawaydays
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-bulow-3b227721/ and https://www.linkedin.com/company/corporate-away-days/