Team Building for Remote Teams

Team Building for Remote Teams Youve probably heard it said before that workplace satisfaction comes down to liking the people you work with. The data backs up this conventional wisdom a study by Gallup found that close work friendships increase employee satisfaction by 50% and people with a best friend at work are seven times more likely to fully engage in their work. So what does this mean for companies? Investing in team building activities will pay dividends in employee satisfaction and engagement. This is especially true for remote companies, where a lack of face time and chances for water cooler talk, can prevent anleihes among employees from developing organically. Team building for remote teams isnt as straightforward, but its absolutely imperative and with some creative uses of technology, its absolutely doable as well.Read on to learn 5 ways you can engage in team building exercises with your remote teamHow To Do Team Building Exercises When Youre Team Is Distributed1) purp le drank on TechnologyIn our personal lives, we lean on technology to help us do our grocery shopping, guide us through meditation, and even find our next suitable date. In the workplace, we can lean on technology to empower human connection and productivity. Slack has so many different layers to it. Start Slack channels dedicated to creating buzz around favorite books, movies, travel tips, recipe sharing, etc. People can choose what channels to contribute to, discover people with common interests, and build communities within the larger company community. This can lead to team members naturally planning their own social activities outside of working hours.2) Plan Team Health ChallengesTheres more to good health than relationships and feeling connected. Physical health should be prioritized because if youre not feeling 100%, its hard to give 100% to your relationships and work. Have fun with your teams physical health Plan challenges for water intake, steps walked per day, meditatio n, and more. You can hold each other accountable and encourage healthy competition. 3) Share a Virtual Cup of Coffee We all know how well two people can bond over a glass of wine or a margarita...but because those types of beverages probably arent permitted during work hours, try a cup of coffee. We definitely know coffee is permitted, encouraged, and at times, needed Set aside weekly or monthly video meetings to share a virtual cup of coffee with your remote team members. Try to avoid work talk and focus on getting to know each other on personal and social levels. Go the extra mile and send a gift card for their favorite coffee shop so they can change their routine and environment. Your remote team is likely made up of people with different backgrounds, experiences, and personalities. There is so much to learn about each person beyond their role at the company. And slipping on a cup of coffee can help remind us all to slow down and enjoy each others presence, no matter where in the world each person is. 4) Plan a Virtual RetreatVirtual coffee chats are a great way for employees to catch up informally and get to know one another organically, but dont underestimate the power of curated questions and activities that will help team members get to know one another on a deeper level. You can block off a few hours each month to get the entire team out of their comfort zone and in a new environment like a co-working space. Theres a difference between small talk and real conversation so embrace those silly icebreaker questions to push boundaries. Try unterstellungVirtual retreats are also great opportunities to spend time talking about high-level company strategy and encouraging team members to share ideas, regardless of their position at the company.5) Host an In-Person RetreatAll of these activities have the potential to build awesome cohesion across your team. But in a digital world, were all aware that in person quality time takes the cake. Shaking hands for the f irst time with someone you work with on a daily basis can be an amazing feeling. Might be pricey, but having your employees connect in person will pay dividends in the long-term. ------By taking time to understand and acknowledge the emotional dynamics of not being with or around people, youre showing your remote employees and team overall that you care about their wellbeing. And by implementing these methods, youre setting your remote team up for success to produce, create, accomplish, and bond. Loud and clear, for everyone sitting in the back, Ill repeat it for good measure your people are everything so put them first. From Your Site Articles Best Work-From-Home Companies 2019 - PowerToFly Blog Related Articles Around the Web 15 Virtual Team Building Activities To Level-Up Your Remote Team One of the biggest challenges in alfruchtwein all industries today is ach ieving gender parity. Gender diversity provides huge benefits in the workplace. pWhile some industries have made significant advancements in gender diversity, some industries lag further behind... and the construction industry is well-known for being in the latter category. If someone says, construction workers, youll likely picture a group of men in yellow hard hats analyzing an architects plans or laying bricks on top of a scaffold. And men at work signs only help to reinforce this image.pThis stereotype is rooted in reality. When was the last time you actually spotted a woman on a construction site? Or hired a female plumber or carpenter? Your answer is most likely never. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statisticsreports that only 3.4% of the total of 8.3 million construction employees are women.pBut the construction industry has a lot more to offer than steel-toed boots and hard hats, and it needs women to help advance the industry in this era of rapid c hange. Here are 5 reasons why women joining the workforce or looking to make a pivot should consider a career in construction.h21. Fuel Innovation/h2pNot only is diversity the socially and morally right thing to do, but it is also actually an excellent business strategy. pResearch presented in the Harvard Business Reviewshows that diverse teams develop more innovative ideas. This is further supported by a study conducted by Gallupon the wertmiger zuwachs of gender-diverse teams versus single-gender teams, which found that the difference in backgrounds and perspectives led to better business performance and problem-solving. h22. Capitalize on Demand/h2pThe construction industry is currently experiencing a labor shortage. The industry itself is booming and projected to be one of the fastest-growing industries, with total spending projected to exceed $1.45 trillion in 2023/a. However, most construction companies are unable to meet the rising demand. pAccording to the Associated General Contractors of America/a, more than 80% of contractors are experiencing difficulties filling hourly craft positions that represent the bulk of the construction workforce.pAnd demand isnt limited to individual contributor roles. Given the industry boom, there are a number of open stable and high-paying roles (any project managers out there?) waiting for the right candidateh23. Leadership Opportunities/h2pAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics/a, women compose only 7.7% of the total 1 million managerial positions in construction.br/pBut given the highly collaborative nature of construction work, more women in leadership roles would help drive innovation and enhance productivity.Furthermore, as a woman in construction in a leadership position, youd have the unique opportunity to drive change for the industry and make it a more attractive option for other women.h24. High-Income Potential/h2pSalaries for many skilled positions in construction are on the rise, making a construction career a prime choice for women looking for a high-paying job,pThe 2018 Construction Craft Salary Surveyconducted by the National Center for Construction Education and Research revealed that salaries for many skilled craft areas are increasing. Project managers and project supervisors topped the list at $92,523 and $88,355, respectively. The next set of highest-paying jobs include those of combo welders ($71,067), instrumentation technicians ($70,080), pipe welders ($69,222), power line workers ($68,262) and industrial electricians ($67,269). Of the 32 categories of workers in the survey, 19 positions earned an average salary of $60,000 or higher.h25. Sense of accomplishment/h2p The construction industry can give employees a unique sense of achievement. Yes, the job is stressful and the work can be demanding, but nothing beats the feeling of being able to build something from the ground up. pHow many professionals in other industries can point at a school, a hospital, or a skyscrape r and say I helped build that?pThe construction industry has a long way to go in combating gender bias and supporting women in the workforce, but given the current demand for workers, theres no better time to pick up a sledgehammer (figurative or literal) and smash the gender stereotypes plaguing the construction industry.