Nowadays, when many organizations start to work remotely and communicate with their departments and teams as efficiently as possible, the necessity of devoting a significant part of our working time to online meetings has grown.
Yet, on the other hand, it is well-known that most of us feel bored or dependent in a virtual meeting that lasts for more than one hour. Therefore, making your online meetings fun is not just an element of general engagement principles and enhancing communication in the team, but also a kind of style that can boost your team’s morale and increase their productivity.
In this article, we explore practical and creative ways of online meetings “energizing” and making virtual gatherings of a team stimulating and productive.
Why It’s Important to Make Online Meetings Fun
Online meetings without the ‘human’ aspect can be compelling, but also a bit boring – especially when compared with the buzzing interactions of in-person meetings. This can lead to a lack of participation, low morale and even meeting fatigue.
Sneaking in some fun can make the meeting more effective and team members more engaged, as they are more likely to speak up and contribute alongside others. Fun online meetings are enriching and inspiring and can make even the most difficult topics easier to address.
Also Read: How to Choose the Employee Time Tracking App
1. Use Icebreakers and Fun Introductions
Icebreakers are a simple and effective way to begin any meeting, whether it be with your co-workers, clients, or collaborators, and they are also a great way to make people feel more at ease as the session gets underway. The simplest icebreaker ideas include:
- Two Truths and a Lie: Ask each participant to share three statements, with two being true and one being false. Others can guess which one is the lie.
- Favorite Things: Have each team member share something about their favorite movie, book, or meal. This encourages conversations outside of work topics and helps team members bond.
- Virtual Scavenger Hunt: Ask participants to quickly find an object in their home that fits a specific theme (e.g., something red or something they’ve owned for over five years).
2. Incorporate Fun Themes and Backgrounds
Spice up your online meetings by introducing creative themes. You can hold themed meetings where participants dress according to a specific style (e.g., 80s fashion, favorite movie character, or casual Friday).
- Encourage team members to use virtual backgrounds that match the theme. Many video conferencing platforms offer this feature, and it’s a great way to add visual interest.
- Themes can rotate weekly or monthly, adding excitement to the routine and giving participants something to look forward to.
3. Introduce Virtual Games and Quizzes
Games help keep a virtual meeting stimulating. A short, fun activity during a break or transition can be a great energy booster. Some virtual games to try are:
- Trivia Quizzes: Host a quick quiz related to general knowledge, company trivia, or even fun facts about team members. Tools like Kahoot! or Quizizz allow everyone to participate interactively.
- Pictionary: Use online drawing tools to let participants draw and guess words or phrases.
- Would You Rather? Pose fun or silly questions to your team, like “Would you rather be invisible for a day or fly for a day?” It’s a quick, light-hearted way to learn more about your colleagues.
4. Celebrate Wins and Milestones
Give your team members some positive vibes – briefly recognize them when you have good news. If a project milestone was met or someone had a win, take a minute to mention it.
Or, if someone has an anniversary on his or her team, show appreciation by recognizing that too. Spend five minutes reorienting your team members towards their most important priorities Develop a ‘Shout-out Time’ or anything similar that has people give each other kudos for a job well done.
- Celebrate with virtual confetti effects or custom animations that highlight these moments. It’s a small addition that goes a long way toward boosting team morale.
Also Read: 5 Effective Ways to Reward and Recognize Employee Achievement
5. Shorten Your Meetings and Keep It Interactive
One of the biggest reasons meetings can feel boring is because they run too long. To make your online meetings more engaging, limit their duration to avoid fatigue. A focused, shorter meeting is often more productive than a lengthy one. Here’s how you can achieve this:
- Set clear goals: Outline the meeting’s objectives at the beginning and stick to the agenda.
- Encourage interaction: Get participants involved by asking for their input throughout the meeting. Use features like polls, Q&A, and chat to make sure everyone is engaged.
- Incorporate quick breaks: If a meeting has to run longer, break it up with 2-3 minute breaks where people can stretch, grab coffee, or play a quick game.
6. Add Music to Energize the Room
Music can have a powerful impact on mood and energy levels. Before your meeting officially starts, play some upbeat background music while people join the call. This helps to set a relaxed and positive tone for the session.
- You can also create collaborative playlists where team members suggest songs. This fosters a sense of inclusiveness and gives everyone something to look forward to before meetings begin.
7. Use Breakout Rooms for Collaboration
Breakout rooms are a useful feature in many video conferencing platforms, allowing you to split larger groups into smaller, more intimate discussions. Smaller group discussions can be more engaging because they give everyone a chance to contribute without feeling overwhelmed by a large audience.
- After discussing a topic, assign participants to breakout rooms for brainstorming or problem-solving. Once they reconvene in the main meeting, each group can share their ideas or solutions.
- You can make it fun by assigning quirky team names or giving groups a mini-challenge to solve.
8. Use Props or Visual Aids
Incorporating props or visual aids during virtual meetings can make them more dynamic and visually engaging. Whether it’s a physical prop that participants hold up to the camera or digital props that are shared on screen, they can be effective conversation starters.
- For example, if you’re discussing future goals, ask participants to grab an item from their workspace that represents their personal vision of success.
- Another fun idea is to introduce “show-and-tell” where participants present something interesting from their home.
9. Incorporate Team-building Activities
Regular online team-building activities not only make meetings more fun but also build trust and camaraderie among team members. These activities help remote teams feel connected, even when they’re far apart. Here are some simple activities you can try:
- Virtual Coffee Breaks: Set aside time for a relaxed, informal chat, similar to grabbing coffee in the office break room.
- Storytelling: Each participant can share a personal or work-related story. This builds a sense of connection and empathy among team members.
- Collaborative Drawing: Use tools like Google Jamboard or Miro to create a collaborative drawing where each participant adds something. This sparks creativity and can be a fun exercise for brainstorming sessions.
10. Invite Guest Speakers or Trainers
Bringing in a guest speaker or trainer can add a unique perspective and break the monotony of routine meetings. Whether it’s a motivational speaker, a subject matter expert, or a comedian, external guests can energize the team and provide fresh insights.
- You can also arrange for skill-building workshops, virtual cooking classes, or fitness sessions to break away from traditional meeting formats and encourage team bonding.
Conclusion
Making your online meetings more fun doesn’t have to be a complicated task. By incorporating creative icebreakers, games, and engaging themes, you can transform your virtual meetings into a productive and enjoyable experience.
The key is to keep things light, interactive, and inclusive. When everyone feels engaged, meetings become more than just a necessary task—they become opportunities for collaboration, creativity, and even a little fun.
Incorporating these simple ways will not only improve the mood of your online meetings but also increase productivity, foster a sense of community, and keep your team motivated. Try these tips in your next virtual meeting and watch how it energizes your team!
