An article by Luke Bodin, Director at BA Events

2021 has started – with a lockdown. When we first went into lockdown the quiz was king. However, that time has passed – people are looking for something new and something fresh.

In this article we are going to explore, the key reasons for running a virtual team event, a consideration when running an event and an idea about how to run it well.

Why you should run a virtual team event

One of the key reasons for running a virtual team event is wellbeing.

54% of employees say a strong sense of community (great coworkers, celebrating milestones, a common mission) kept them at a company longer than was in their best interest (Source: Gusto).

The Covid-19 lockdown period has presented some difficult challenges for people working from home. The buzz that you get from being part of a team all working together in one space has been missed by many during the lockdown.

A virtual team away day that is planned well and structured properly can help people regain that sense of purpose – really boosting their wellbeing.

What you should consider when running a virtual team event

It is always important to remember that people are often working different working hours during Covid as a result of home commitments such as homeschooling. This is something to consider when planning virtual events. It is important to consider if you should split your virtual team events into smaller chunks and also ensure you plan your events as far as possible in advance to allow people to plan it within their diary.

How can you run your virtual team event successfully

Most teams working from home are using platforms such as MS Teams and Zoom day in day out. The most successful virtual team events are the ones where you bring in new activities and technologies teams have not used before.

A prime example of new technology would be Wonder. This new platform allows you to create a virtual space where people can talk, interact and move around freely. The attendees can move their avatars around with their mouse to join a conversation. This is a great way for users to move around the room – interacting just like they would at a real-life event.