Boosting the interpersonal communication and teamwork between co-workers within their teams and above is a dream come true for any HR manager. But with the worldwide pandemic still ongoing, it can be tough to crack. How to connect teamwork while your employees are in the home office and working remotely? We did a little research and came up with few ideas.
Before the pandemic of covid-19 started, we had so many options. We could casually build relationships within the company. One of the most used ways was to go out for a drink after work or organize all company teambuilding events. Are these activities so non-accessible as it seams? Are there any alternative ways how to connect while being comfortable and safe at home? Let's take a look.
The overall issue with teambuilding is the budget. You can do a lot. Although without sorted money specifically for teambuilding, it can be difficult. In some countries, the companies prefer to go camping in nature, where they build their surviving skills, play various treasure hunts or slide a wild river. No exceptions are loads of alcohol.
To get help, find a teambuilding agency in your area. They will help you organize the best experience for everybody included in the event. Same as other businesses, even event agencies had to move their main focus online. That's why there is plenty of activities to choose from and have fun "together." One of those agencies is Catalyst Teambuilding. They operate worldwide in almost any country or continent. They offer online but also offline activities that you can choose from upon parameters of your choice. You can compete, work on team cooperation or develop creative thinking. It only depends on what you prefer.
A cheaper but certainly not easier option is to do your event, such as a quiz night. For this, you can use the online app Kahoot. The participants will download it through a QR code. Once they install it on their phone, they are ready to start. For example, if your HR team managed to do heavy onboarding of new employees, your main goal is to get to know the newcomers with the rest of the staff. You can ask them to send one fun fact about them and then add these to the quiz. We are sure it's going to be loads of fun.
We are all spending many hours by our computer screen daily. Sometimes we ask how many zoom meetings are too many in one day? So why should people voluntarily spend another extra hour with our colleagues online? If you want this to work, don't force it. We are missing human contact and connections now more than ever. That's why we suggest casual coffee (wine or beer) online hangouts. It's nice to meet with other people once or twice a month. Finish work early and have an online talk. For this, you have set a non-work-related theme that your colleagues can discuss.
Whether it's any of the suggested activities online, don't forget there are rules to be followed so it won't become a mess. Always have a refreshment ready (drink of your choice and snack), have a camera turned on so everyone can see you, and turn off your mic if you are not speaking.
We are optimistic these tough online times will be soon over, and we will meet in person once again. And trust us when we say: we can't wait!
Do you remember the good old days, we could go on a networking event and not just sit at home all the time? We miss it. Oh, so many possibilities we had. To meet up together and discuss different topics. Our social calendars were filled with events, sometimes even two months ahead of time. But right now, all this seems like sci-fi. Even though we are at home due to a worldwide pandemic, we still need to build new business connections. LIGS University brings you few tips on where to look for networking during the pandemic.
Rather than going to networking parties, we sit at home. There is no other way. But did you know there are still ways how to connect? There are plenty of opportunities out there. Most event providers, conferences, and even smaller professional communities had to adjust to the new situation and go online. Right now, you can register for many online networking events. The bonus is, you can log in from anywhere.
Take a look at local business Facebook groups (communities). Pick the ones that are closest to your desired business industry.
Check out Facebook events.
Look through the event platform Eventbrite. There are interesting workshops, webinars, and lectures. Most of these happen through ZOOM. Speakers do involve their audience and openly discuss topics together with them.
Use LinkedIn. It is a helpful tool to start your business connections. You pick who is relevant for your business. There are also several extensions you can use for LinkedIn. Dux soup will connect you with 100 potential networkers weekly. It is an automatic service you have to try. Another tool is a mail shake. It helps with LinkedIn and mailing and saves your precious time.
Take a look at the Bumble Bizz app. How does it work? When you register, you fill in information about yourself (what you achieved so far, your goals, etc.), create a short bio, and headline you're ready to network. Are you familiar with Tinder? The Bumble Bizz works similarly, but it is made for businesses. And who knows, maybe you'll find your next investor there.
Another great tool is a Lunchclub. You add your goals, what you do, your values, or what you enjoy, and AI will pair you with another networker with similar interests. Every week the app asks you what day and when you are free to network. Then the AI plans your one-to-one networking session.
You found an event you like! That is fantastic. The next step is to get ready for networking itself. You can't prepare for networking, you say? Quite the opposite, of course, you can. Here is how.
Find out who else will attend. You can ask the organizers for the list of people attending. If they are reluctant to give to you, ask just about names or specific professions and businesses. For example, I look for CEOs in the cybersecurity industry. The next step is gaining as much information about the host or hosting the event itself you can. Scan the social media, website or check their recent LinkedIn posts.
Do you know, who's presenting a lecture? Did the speaker write any interesting articles lately? Great, read it and we guarantee, you'll find it much easier to find a common language. You can say something like Hey, I enjoyed your recent piece on Culture ethics behavior. And start a casual conversation.
Prep a short introduction about yourself (a pitch). At some smaller networking events, they might ask you to introduce yourself on camera or in the chat. 3 easy things are enough: your name, where you work, and what you do plus a link to your LinkedIn profile. You can change this according to the event you are attending. I'm sure it will be different at the AI conference and Personal growth conference.
Always have your business cards ready. How are you supposed to do that in online meetings? Send a link or prepare a QR code with all your details. The other attendees can then scan it with their phones.
What else can you do before the event itself? Get used to your voice. Talk to yourself, read a book out loud, etc. You can also prepare questions you'd like to ask. Let everyone know you are attending on your social media. And don't forget to check the topics that are currently trending worldwide. Great newsletter or app for that is skimm. They will send you a sum up of what is going on right into your email address.
The networking day is finally here. There is a reminder on your calendar letting you know, the event starts in an hour. Always make sure you come a bit earlier. It gives you an advantage. You will see people enter the online room one by one. You'll see how they react and what they do. here is your chance to select your potential contacts. During interaction with others be open, friendly (but not too friendly), and approachable. Show a bit of your personality.
Rule number one is always to have your camera turned on. It shows your openness to communicate. Also, make sure you'll pick an interesting background on camera. Maybe it is your bookshelf with interesting titles or if you are a woman with extravagant earrings. Again it makes it easier for others to start a conversation if they see, there is something different about you.
Don't be afraid to start a conversation with your host, a speaker, or other attendees. Use chat during online networking. You can easily react to what's being discussed. Use either mutual chat or you can start a private chat with someone you find interesting and write a direct message. In the end, don't forget to thank the host, say you had a lovely time, and give them feedback.
Now the event is finished and you managed to collect many contacts. Of course, you want to keep in touch with them, so what you have to do is find out, what network they want to use to stay in touch with you. Will they prefer email or a text message? Make sure you know the channels you will use for communication.
Prepare an introduction message you will use while sending a LinkedIn request etc. This is something you can adjust accordingly. Also, make a note on how to meet next time. During the pandemic, you might prefer a walk in the fresh air instead of another ZOOM meeting.
What else is there left to say? We suggest sharing your experience and feelings from events you've attended. You might want to send a thank you card to the organizers. And lastly, if you attend any event, don't be afraid to have your voice heard or to stand out. Event online networking can be fun!
