![]() ![]() She offered up some alternative happy hour ideas to get your wheels turning. While happy hours traditionally revolve around beverages at a bar or restaurant - or now, sharing drinks online - April said that employers are also increasingly offering teams opportunities to connect online around coffee breaks or food activities during the day. Every other component of the drink is the same, and we dress it in the same way, so it doesn’t look any different, so nobody feels excluded or singled out for not drinking alcohol.” 4. “We have three of our specialty cocktails that we can make without alcohol. So, what can you offer folks to drink at happy hour if they don’t drink alcohol? AJ noted that there are plenty of options, and the key is to integrate the choices seamlessly and maintain the spirit of celebration, whether the beverage includes spirits or not. “You don't want to ostracize any groups or make anyone feel uncomfortable at virtual or in-person events,” April said. Make sure mocktails make the menuīoth April and AJ highlighted the importance of including nonalcoholic options at your company happy hours. “We want people to be able to see one another but also, especially as we manage anxiety around COVID, to feel safe and cared for in a space set aside for their group. “We try to be sure we group tables to put people in a conversational situation rather than simply reserve seats at the bar,” she said. If you’re offering up a straightforward mix-and-mingle happy hour for your team, she added, prioritize the opportunity for congregation and community by ensuring you have a dedicated space for your group. “Working together on something with your teammates and actually creating something for one another is a really fun way to interact and connect.” “I always like to offer the option of a cocktail class to corporate clients if they inquire about hosting a happy hour because it’s a great opportunity for team building,” AJ said. ![]() bar Serenata, said that there's a lot to be said for creating an actual experience for your team. While there's nothing wrong with just going out and having a drink with your colleagues, Andra (AJ) Johnson, beverage director and partner at Washington D.C. ![]() They are busy enough with their day to day, and a virtual social event should feel like a treat. That's the time they want to spend with their family and friends.ĭon't expect your team to do a lot of pre-work for their virtual social events. Invest in virtual engagements for your affinity groups (women, LGBTQ+, and Black and brown team members who choose to connect, for example) and ensure that the experiences you're selecting for them are in line with things they'll actually enjoy.ĭon't host virtual events for your teams on Fridays. When thinking about how to keep remote teams engaged, cultural considerations are extremely important. Is it a cocktail class? A game night?ĭo be inclusive. Ask them what types of experiences they want for that month or quarter. Virtual events are not one-size-fits-all.ĭo give your group options and get buy-in. Is your team more competitive? More chill? Find activities that fit with your group's vibe. “Managers need to invest time and energy into their virtual team building, just as they would for in-person.”Īpril offered up the following tips to guide the planning of a virtual happy hour that will hit the mark:ĭo think about your team dynamics. “A poorly planned and executed virtual event can have the opposite of the intended effect and actually reduce team morale,” she added. “Simply hopping on a Zoom happy hour with no plan or structure does not cut it,” said April Johnson, co-founder and CEO of virtual event planning company Happied. If we have all learned anything about online happy hours in the last couple of years, it’s that they can be just as awkward - if not more - than shuffling around uncomfortably in person at a bar. ![]() Virtual happy hours can actually be great Here are their tips for staging a happy hour your team will actually thank you for (you’re welcome!). We tapped the expertise of hospitality, event, and remote workplace professionals who have made it their mission to bring people together through food and drink experiences at work. (And, bonus for those seeking the business case for raising a glass together: The effort may also help improve engagement and retention, which is always a good thing!) Whether your team is distributed or co-located and embracing in-person gatherings or gathering for online meet-ups, a well-executed workplace happy hour is an opportunity to hang out, build relationships, boost morale, and celebrate milestones. ![]()
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