Summer Work Events: Our Rules to Live By
Striking the balance between time off and time together as a team
While team members are taking time off this summer, keeping workplace culture intact becomes a bit more challenging.
If you’re in need of a few suggestions to regroup your team, we’re here to help!
Our recommendations include gauging your team’s specific interests through a survey, incorporating remote bonding activities to take a break virtually at times when you’re already meeting, and planning a time for your team to meet up in-person.
Summer always flies by, so now that it’s officially begun, we’re sharing our unofficial summer event rules. To start, Laugh.Events Founder Kevin Hubschmann suggests looking at your culture playbook as a whole when considering summer plans, as events are just one part of that playbook. Whether you’re gathering on a rooftop or sticking to Zoom, we’ve got you covered.
Here are a few ways to go about summer event planning:
1) Listen to Your Team
Summer may or may not be the time for an event. “Summer is such a unique time where the weather is nicer and people around the world are hitting the snooze button,” says Hubschmann. “You have to read the room and ask, what is it that my team needs right now?” Wondering how you can accomplish this? Try a quick survey of your team to get a pulse on what they are interested in doing.
2) Plan “Reminders”
Hubschmann suggests short moments of regathering as a team to serve as important reminders of workplace culture over the summertime. “I think it’s important to say, come back and touch base for a second. We’re not going to take a ton of your time, but let’s make sure that we’re connecting in a meaningful way.” When can you do this? Consider adding quick team building activities during your stand up meetings and other times when you’re already meeting consistently.
3) Consider an In-Person Gathering
Summer might be the best time for a larger in-person event, providing the opportunity for your team to be outside and meet face-to-face. Our improv workshops and corporate training exercises can be the perfect outlets for teams looking to shake up routine during the summer months. For remote teams, however, Hubschmann says this meetup shouldn’t fully replace virtual events. “I think people should still be carving out 15 minutes, 30 minutes into their existing meetings.”
Need a little help finding some creative ideas for remote team building activities and unique events this summer? We’re here! Reach out to our team to learn more.