www.fastcompany.com Open in urlscan Pro
151.101.65.54  Public Scan

Form analysis
0 forms found in the DOM

Text Content

FAST COMPANY

Follow
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 

Login
 * Co.Design
 * Tech
 * Work Life
 * News
 * Impact
 * Podcasts
 * Video
 * Recommender
 * Innovation Festival 360IF360
 * Subscribe
 * 
 * FastCo Works
    * Deloitte
    * Honeywell
    * OPTUM


 * HOMEPAGE


 * CO.DESIGN


 * TECH


 * WORK LIFE


 * NEWS


 * IMPACT


 * PODCASTS


 * VIDEO


 * RECOMMENDER


 * INNOVATION FESTIVAL 360


 * SUBSCRIBE

Help Center
fastco works


 * AWS


 * DEEM


 * DELOITTE


 * HONEYWELL


 * OPTUM


 * VISA


 * FASTCO WORKS
   
   An award-winning team of journalists, designers, and videographers who tell
   brand stories through Fast Company's distinctive lens

FC Executive Board
collections


 * FAST GOVERNMENT
   
   The future of innovation and technology in government for the greater good


 * MOST INNOVATIVE COMPANIES
   
   Our annual guide to the businesses that matter the most


 * MOST CREATIVE PEOPLE
   
   Leaders who are shaping the future of business in creative ways


 * WORLD CHANGING IDEAS
   
   New workplaces, new food sources, new medicine--even an entirely new economic
   system


 * INNOVATION BY DESIGN
   
   Celebrating the best ideas in business

Newsletter
Events


 * INNOVATION FESTIVAL

Courses and LearningAdvertiseCurrent Issue
Current Issue
SUBSCRIBE
Follow us:

advertisement

 * 07-01-20
 * secrets of the most productive people


SUMMER HAPPY HOURS ARE CANCELED THIS YEAR. HERE ARE 7 REMOTE BONDING ACTIVITIES
TO TRY INSTEAD


WELCOME TO THE SUMMER OF 2020, WHERE TEAM OUTINGS AND CASUAL COCKTAIL HOURS ARE
THINGS OF THE PAST. TO HELP YOU KEEP YOUR TEAM CONNECTED, HERE ARE A HANDFUL OF
NEW, SOCIALLY DISTANT WAYS TO BOND WITH YOUR WORK COLLEAGUES.

[Photos: Icons8 Team/Unsplash; Elena Kloppenburg/Unsplash; Rachel
Nickerson/Unsplash; Shutterbug75 /Pixabay]
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 

More Like This
Why celebrating this uncomfortable feeling can make your team stronger
This is the right way to give a compliment at work
How to take parental leave as a freelancer
By Erika Zauner 4 minute Read

Before COVID-19, “Summer Fridays” equated to team lunches sharing weekend plans
to hit the beach, barbeque outdoors, or venture out of the city for some fresh
air and nature. With the warmer weather also came more team outings from
mini-golfing to picnics, pool days, or impromptu drinks with coworkers to cap
off a Friday before going off to everyone’s respective weekends.




Welcome to the socially distanced summer of 2020, where many circumstances have
changed, but team bonding is especially important in the virtual settings we
operate within these days. Beyond the physical and mental health benefits of
social interaction, creating virtual team bonding activities is important to
maintaining an engaged corporate culture. Not only are engaged cultures more
productive, but according to research by Gallup, companies with high engagement
are 21% more profitable and report better health outcomes. In an economic
environment where budgets are tight and every dollar counts, productivity is
more important than ever.

Even without the ability to connect in person, there are team bonding events
that companies can easily implement to get their teams moving, laughing, and get
that Friday Feeling activated.


“SWEATWORK” WITH YOUR TEAM

Sweatworking is an easy way to turn a team event into a workout that everyone
can participate in from their respective locations. Group classes from popular
studios like Barry’s or Fhitting Room LIVE can be done over Zoom, and it’s a
great way to build some exercise into the day and the energy boost is
guaranteed.

advertisement



Taking everyone’s stress levels down is paramount with no separation between
work life and home life. Together, teams can work out the knots from sitting at
makeshift home offices with a group stretch or chair yoga class. All employees
can participate in this type of activity regardless of their fitness level, and
it is powerful in reinvigorating everyone for the rest of your day.


GET YOUR ZEN ON

Mental health has become a major focus for employers as people are dealing with
unprecedented levels of stress due to quarantine, a lack of social interaction,
and other external stressors. Setting aside time for mindfulness shows employees
that a company is dedicated to their well-being and helps everyone start
meetings with a clear mind and positive attitude.

For instance, bring some calm into the next team meeting by starting with a
10-minute guided meditation from an app like Calm or Inscape, or join a
breathwork collective, through which you can join a breathwork-focused Zoom
class. It’s an easy way to help people reconnect and quiet their minds for a
more focused and productive discussion.




PREPARE A MEAL TOGETHER

Cooking classes are great ways to build engagement and interaction when done
live, but these can be moved virtually as well. Pre-order meal kit boxes from
Blue Apron or HelloFresh (make sure your team selects the same recipes) and then
get prepping and cooking. Teams can enjoy the meal together, or surprise their
families with dinner.

For a less time-intensive option, turn it into a smoothie bar by ordering
pre-frozen smoothies, such as from Daily Harvest, and prepare beverages
together. Whatever a manager or HR team decides, having everyone engage and
learn something new together can support team bonding and provide a shared
experience , even from a distance, which can bring people closer.


VIRTUAL MUSICAL CHAIRS

Have everyone submit their favorite song for a playlist and pick one person to
DJ the tunes, for a combination musical chairs and dance party. Everyone can
start dancing when the music starts and when the music stops, the last person
who sits is “out.”



Letting people bring their guards down and be silly is a great way to not only
connect with others but also to bring some levity into a remote workday.


VIRTUAL PETTING ZOO

There’s a good reason that pet adoption has skyrocketed during
quarantine—animals make people feel better.

Give coworkers with kids a breather by inviting their kids into the action. Have
everyone join a Zoom with their pets and show-and-tell. Not only will you earn
major points from your coworkers for helping to engage their kids for an hour,
but it’s a great way to get to know your colleagues better too and invite pets
to a meeting without an accidental interruption.




SHARE FUN, PERSONAL STORIES

While working remotely, this can be a great time for new (and old) colleagues to
get to know one another.

Bring a photo or video of yourselves doing a favorite summer activity, and tell
a personal anecdote about it. This is a great way for team members to learn a
little bit more who you are and what you enjoy to do in your spare time.

Moreover, this is a perfect time to share any new hobbies you’ve developed since
sheltering in place, like gardening, baking or biking, and get new ideas from
your coworkers that you haven’t thought of yet.




PLAN A SCAVENGER HUNT

Make a list of 10-15 items commonly found at home and team up with up to four
people, and each team gets 30 minutes to gather as many items as possible. Not
only does this get people moving, but it’s a great way for people to put
teamwork into action. The winner or winners get to plan the next team activity!

Summer Fridays might not be the same, but with a little creativity, your company
can still bring some fun and much needed social connection and stress relief to
all team members working remotely. Hopefully, by getting into the summer spirit,
we can all return to the office feeling more connected with our coworkers than
before.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Erika Zauner is the founder and CEO of HealthKick, a corporate health and
wellness platform that provides employees with access to over 500 leading
consumer health, fitness and wellness brands, personalized to their individual
interests and goals. She is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and is
fortunate to share her passion for helping people thrive through well-being with
HealthKick.





advertisement



FEATURED VIDEO

Hiring people with disabilities is better for business
Host Chris Denson speaks with Rebecca Cokley and victor Pineda about disability
employment awareness and their experiences.
More Videos


0 seconds of 2 minutes, 48 secondsVolume 0%

Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
Keyboard ShortcutsEnabledDisabled
Play/PauseSPACE
Increase Volume↑
Decrease Volume↓
Seek Forward→
Seek Backward←
Captions On/Offc
Fullscreen/Exit Fullscreenf
Mute/Unmutem
Seek %0-9
Next Up
Geena Davis is on a mission to change Hollywood
03:34
Settings
OffWip Ep 10 Disability Rr V1 Fz
Font Color
White

Font Opacity
100%

Font Size
100%

Font Family
Arial

Character Edge
None

Background Color
Black

Background Opacity
50%

Window Color
Black

Window Opacity
0%

Reset
WhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan
100%75%25%
200%175%150%125%100%75%50%
ArialCourierGeorgiaImpactLucida ConsoleTahomaTimes New RomanTrebuchet MSVerdana
NoneRaisedDepressedUniformDrop Shadow
WhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan
100%75%50%25%0%
WhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan
100%75%50%25%0%
facebook twitter Email
Linkhttps://www.fastcompany.com/videos?jwsource=cl
Copied
Auto180p1080p720p406p270p180p
Live
00:00
02:48
02:48








 


HIRING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IS BETTER FOR BUSINESS

advertisement




IMPACT

Impact


THIS NEW ‘NET ZERO’ STANDARD IS DESIGNED TO CREATE CLIMATE PLEDGES THAT AREN’T
GREENWASHING

Impact


STRIKING WORKERS AT KELLOGG’S JUST GOT A NEW ADDITION TO THEIR PICKET LINE:
LABOR SECRETARY MARTY WALSH

Impact


WHAT DOES NEUTRAL MILK HOTEL THINK OF THE NEW NEUTRAL MILK?


NEWS

News


SHIBA INU COIN SURGES OVER 800%, FINALLY SURPASSING RIVAL TOKEN DOGECOIN

News


SCIENTISTS FINALLY MEASURED THE SHOCKING PERCENTAGE OF FAST FOOD THAT CONTAINS
HARMFUL CHEMICALS

News


VACCINES FOR KIDS ARE COMING. HERE ARE THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS REPORTED AFTER
PFIZER DOSES


CO.DESIGN

Co.Design


EXCLUSIVE: ADOBE’S MIND-BLOWING AI TURNS NAPKIN SKETCHES INTO CARTOONS

Co.Design


THESE SLEEK CLOTHES CAN INVISIBLY POWER YOUR PHONE

Co.Design


THIS $13 NASAL MISTER IS A PROMISING TOOL TO BATTLE COVID-19


WORK LIFE

Work Life


6 TIPS FOR GROWING YOUR BUSINESS WITH THE FLYWHEEL MODEL

Work Life


YOUR EMPLOYEES ARE MAKING EMPTY PROMISES BECAUSE THEY’RE SHORT ON THIS 1 THING

Work Life


DEAR FOUNDER: YOU DON’T NEED TO DELEGATE EVERYTHING

 * Advertise
 * Privacy Policy
 * Terms
 * Notice of Collection
 * Do Not Sell My Data
 * Permissions
 * Contact
 * About Us
 * Site Map
 * Fast Company & Inc © 2021 Mansueto Ventures, LLC
 * 






WE VALUE YOUR PRIVACY

To deliver the best possible experience, we and our partners use techniques such
as cookies to store and/or access information on a device and provide
personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and
product development. Precise geolocation and information about device
characteristics can be used. Personal data such as network address and browsing
activity may be processed.

You may click to consent to the processing described above or review options and
make granular choices. Some processing may not require your consent, but you
have a right to object. Your preferences will apply to this site only. You may
change your mind at any time by visiting our privacy policy.


review options accept & continue


#browser_notifications_enabled

#browser_notification_subscriber_blocked

#session_pageviews_1

#capture_slider_active

#capture_lightbox_active