Building a Strong Team in a Remote World

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We’re halfway through January 2022 and to many companies’ dismay we are still living in a mostly remote world. Per a recent article in the New York Times, “The R.T.O. (return to office) date is gone. It’s been replaced with “we’ll get back to you.” And in a Gartner survey of 238 executives, a whopping two-thirds of the organizations delayed their return to office plans due to new COVID-19 variants.

Zoom photo of team in cooking class holding up finished dish

Slingshot Aerospace team in a cooking class with Gaia from Florence

With return-to-office plans up in the air for most companies, many executives and team leaders are concerned about the uncertainty that results in a lack of firm dates to look towards.

How can team leaders create certainty in uncertain times? Our answer: create a strong team culture that can navigate remote, hybrid, and in-person work.

88% of job seekers say that a healthy culture at work is vital for success and team leaders have the highest impact on company culture. 

What are unique ways you can build a strong team culture? Gift interactive and creative experiences! In a new study by Coresight Research with 300 corporate gift buyers, over 80% said gifts have improved relationships with employees and/or clients.

Gifting is becoming a critical part of company culture and it looks like “corporate gifting is a long-term habit that is going to be sustained in the post-Covid world.” Gifting experiences can show team appreciation while building company culture and socialization. (Something a stackable food tower could never do.) 

As experts in team building, remote work, and team member appreciation, we prioritize giving remote team members the opportunity to engage in small talk, get to know one another, and socialize outside of the normal work hours. How? Interactive global cooking classes.

We’re not talking about another "Zoom activity" where you're sitting and staring at your computer on mute.

We’re talking about an interactive, on-your-feet, get-your-hands-dirty kind of virtual corporate event.

Our bread and butter (and personal team favorite): cooking classes with chefs around the world. Take all work-related topics off the table and instead talk about who's the best chef, who's planning a trip to Italy, and who desperately needs a sous chef to clean up after them. 

Check out our Valentine’s Day recipes and see which one is the best gift for your team.

Torta Caprese Cake

Torta Caprese Cake with Domenico & Maria in Capri

Desserts

Great for: vegetarians, novice chefs, chatty teams, or if your team might have sous chefs join them (ie kids, partners, etc)

Entrées

Great for: vegetarians, happy hour fans, willing to get a little messy

And if you really want to treat your team…

Great for: Wine enthusiasts, don’t want to grocery shop, give a physical ‘gift’ with their class

Didn’t see something that piqued your interest? We have a library of recipes to choose from for your class. Give us a call and let’s talk more.

 

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