9 Rules for Better Online Team-Building Events

When the world went remote due to the COVID-19 pandemic, remote team building events became a necessity. This prompted the creation of online team-building platform, Detectolic Games. Over the past year, the startup has hosted over 200 events for tech companies of various sizes. Based on their experience, here are nine rules for better online team-building events:

1. Everybody's already skeptical. Due to the young and growing online events market, many people have already experienced poor online events and now approach such gatherings with suspicion. To combat this, ensure the vendor provides a test run or gameplay footage for your organizing team to evaluate the actual experience.

2. You are where your attention is. Monitors can be a source of distractions, with countless emails and memes competing for your focus. To combat this, select the right format for your event. Opt for formats with variety, such as different types of tasks alternating, tied together by a storyline or theme. Keep the pace engaging, starting with an emotion, good joke, or surprise to capture everyone's attention.

3. Together, but not a mob. While the goal is to engage and involve everyone, it's important to keep the event manageable. Splitting participants into smaller groups or breakout rooms helps prevent the loudest extroverts from dominating the conversation and allows everyone to participate more effectively. Additionally, competitive elements can heighten interest and engagement.

4. Picking the right activity. Trivia, quests, and social deduction games are popular choices, each catering to different preferences. Trivia appeals to well-read individuals, quests attract board game enthusiasts, and social deduction games engage extroverts. Ensure the chosen activity is interesting to everyone involved and consider the team's past experiences. Start with simpler activities if this is one of your first online events.

5. Timing is crucial. Online events can be tiring for participants, as they've already spent the day in front of screens. To maximize attendance, schedule the event earlier in the day and avoid weekends. Ensure the event takes place during working hours for better engagement.

By following these rules, HR leads and engineering managers can create enjoyable and effective online team-building events that foster collaboration and strengthen team bonds.