Hallway conversations, cubicle interactions, and office meetings are all effective ways for staff to connect in an in-person setting. But how does internal communication and collaboration happen among remote staff? As a remote organization, DCG develops innovative thinking that not only fosters team unity but also encourages us to think creatively and collaboratively with our team.
VA Office of Suicide Prevention (OSP) Team’s Power Hour
Our OSP team has been hosting monthly and/or quarterly “power hours” since January 2022 as a way to connect with team members post-COVID-19. For almost three years, this team has done scavenger hunts, online activities (Gartic Phone is always a favorite!), and a murder mystery game. Team members are encouraged to lead their own power hour in any way they want. In the past, team members have given presentations about their time in the military, shared a local true crime story, and showcased their Instagram accounts to express who they are. The whole team enjoys and looks forward to the power hours because it’s when they can all get together and connect on a personal level.
Art Therapy
Earlier this year, our project managers set aside an hour on a weekday for their teams to participate in an art therapy activity together. Staff were given some time to find a craft, art project, or anything creative that they would like to do during that time, with a $25 stipend to purchase materials.
Once the materials were gathered, everyone joined a Microsoft Teams call to work on their individual projects. Staff discussed whatever came to mind and shared their progress with each other. It gave the team time to unwind, relax their minds, and an opportunity to chat together. The team enjoyed seeing what everyone chose to work on and the unique items they wanted to make. Participants talked about art, crafts, or hobbies they like to do on a regular basis and things they are interested in learning about.
For example, one person shared how they were trying to learn how to knit for the first time and they were finding out how challenging it was! Another staff member shared that she finds baking very therapeutic, so she chose to bake brownies because it was a quiet time to bake while her kids were still in daycare.
Virtual Games
DCG also sponsored a companywide virtual trivia night. A trivia company was hired to run the event and everyone who participated was assigned a team to compete with. We used the Microsoft Teams chat tool on the side to communicate with our team privately and decide on our answers. It was very fun and engaging! We got to meet people from different contracts in the agency who we don’t typically communicate with.
Some virtual games our team has had great success using include:
CrowdParty: an interactive platform that is great for team ice breakers. This platform holds a variety of favorites, such as The Price is Right, Guess Who, Two Truths & a Lie and much more! It also accommodates those wanting to play games that tie into holidays.
Jackbox Party: Each party pack contains five original games. There are 10 different packs that include drawing games, writing games, trivia games, hidden identity games and more!
Design Activities
Our Design Team meets every Tuesday morning for a “Creative Team Sync.” During this call, the Creative Leadership Team comes up with a fun prompt the team can answer. At the end of the call, they have open mic time for shout-outs. The Design Team also uses Slack daily to share updates, ask questions, and stay in touch with fellow designers.
Lunch and Learn
The DCG Lunch and Learn Program provides employees with opportunities to engage, share knowledge and build skills in a relaxed, collaborative setting. These sessions not only help bridge gaps caused by physical distance but also encourage continuous learning and teamwork. The program has recently featured diverse topics tailored to inform and enhance expertise, including:
- Internal Research: Types of Research and How to Gather Impactful Insights
- Yearly Reviews and Feedback: Enhancing Performance Through Constructive Dialogue
- Media and Google Analytics: Tools and Best Practices for Measuring Digital Success
- Client Engagement: Building Stronger Relationships for Lasting Partnerships
By connecting team members with valuable resources and shared learning experiences, The DCG Lunch and Learn program strengthens the company culture while keeping employees motivated and informed.
If you work remotely, what are some ways you like to stay connected? We’d love to hear from you!
Staying United in DCG’s Remote Work Culture was originally published in DCG Life on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
