General

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of remote work for many businesses, causing a shift in traditional office cultures. While remote work offers many benefits, such as flexible hours and the ability to work from anywhere, it can be challenging to maintain a positive company culture and build strong relationships between team members. In a virtual setting, it's important to intentionally create opportunities for team building and promote a positive culture.

Here are some best practices for virtual team building and maintaining a positive company culture when working remotely, with insights from HelpGrid, an on-demand BPO contact center that operates as a full-time remote team.

Set up virtual social groups: Just because your team is working remotely doesn't mean they can't have fun together. Encourage your team to participate in virtual social events like happy hours, game nights, and team-building activities. At HelpGrid, we have different group chats like Netflix Club or Sports Society where the team can socialize and engage in team-building activities with their preferred hobby. 

Celebrate milestones and achievements: Recognizing team members for their achievements and celebrating milestones can help boost morale and create a positive culture. At HelpGrid, we celebrate team member birthdays, work anniversaries, and project successes by sending small gifts to their homes.

Encourage communication and collaboration: Communication and collaboration are essential for building a positive company culture, even when working remotely. Encourage your team to communicate regularly through video conferencing, chat, and email. Collaborate on projects and encourage team members to share their expertise and ideas.

Invest in team development: Investing in team development can help your team stay motivated and engaged. Offer virtual training and development opportunities, and encourage team members to take courses and attend webinars that will help them grow professionally. At HelpGrid, we want our team members to grow their knowledge, so we offer courses and certifications you can take to advance your skills.

Prioritize mental health: Remote work can be isolating, and it's important to prioritize mental health. Encourage team members to take breaks throughout the day and take care of themselves. At HelpGrid, we offer mental health resources and encourage team members to take time off when needed.

HelpGrid's experience as a full-time remote team has proven the effectiveness of these best practices, and we hope they can help your virtual team thrive as well.