RE-ENGAGING STAFF IN AN OFFICE ENVIRONMENT: OUR TOP TIPS FROM WORKING WITH BIG BRANDS
If there's one thing (among many!) that COVID taught us, it's the importance of connection.
Studies from Harvard School of Public Health have shown that people who have strong social connections are happier, healthier, and live longer—50% longer, in fact. It's no surprise, then, that fostering connection is crucial to the success of remote or hybrid teams.
Over the past year, one of the recurring challenges we've seen with clients is how to re-engage remote or hybrid teams, especially when there's a business need to phase employees back into the office, either full-time or part-time. Remote workers often feel disconnected from their in-office colleagues, and the lack of consistent office attendance can result in low engagement. This makes it difficult to foster a sense of community or a shared purpose.
We've spent time gathering our top tips on where to start when it comes to re-engaging teams of all shapes and sizes—and newsflash—it’s about more than just one-off events!
We’re not here to teach you the basics, but when was the last time you checked in with your team to understand their ever-changing needs? It’s important to stay connected with your people by creating open forums where they can share ideas and feedback—both upwards and downwards.
Regular touchpoints and open communication are key. Monthly activations are a great way to facilitate these connections, but here’s the thing—knowing your people makes a huge difference in shaping these opportunities. When employees are involved in the process, they’re far more likely to engage.
Here are a few ideas we’ve found to work really well, depending on your team, budget, and business needs:
Positive Impact Activations:
Most large organizations have a CSR strategy in place. Why not empower employees to choose how they spend their time and energy? Allow them to select important causes they care about and form mini groups around shared initiatives. A shared experience of giving back is a powerful way to forge lasting connections and a sense of purpose.
Well-Being Initiatives:
Focus on different aspects of employee health with monthly well-being themes. Topics could range from mental health, men’s health, or nutrition tips to parent-focused support. Providing regular, relevant resources will help your team feel cared for and valued.
Internal Podcasts:
Create internal podcasts that feature team members, leadership, or industry experts discussing topics that are relevant to your business culture and vision for the future. These podcasts can serve as a great way for remote workers to feel connected to the in-office team, while also reinforcing company values.
Sometimes, saying "thank you" is easier said than done. If you're struggling with engagement, consider reviewing your reward and recognition schemes. An effective incentive, like a team-based Q4 reward, not only drives sales but encourages collaboration. For example, offering a chance to win a trip or an exclusive experience for cross-functional teamwork can motivate employees to work together in new ways.
We LOVE events—but we care about much more than just a one-off "drop in the ocean" event. We want to dive deep into your company culture, really understand what you’re aiming to achieve, and collaborate with you to create solutions that keep your people happy, healthy, and connected for the long term.
By focusing on ongoing engagement, rather than just one-time events, you create a stronger, more sustainable sense of community.
Let’s Connect:
If you're ready to explore ways to boost engagement in your business, we’d love to help! Click here, to speak to our team of experts.
Like to see more of the things we get up at BeSure Events, then why not head to our case studies to learn more about our recent work, or follow us on LinkedIn or Instagram.
BeSure Events Ltd is an agency made up of great minds, who are all experts in creating memorable experiences, both virtually and in person.
