Think back to when you first started at your job. You were probably nervous, not just about the workload, but about how you'd fit in with the people you work with. Whether working remotely or in the same workplace, those relationships are important to feeling accepted, and feeling like a real member of the team.

No, you don't have to be best friends with everyone you work with, but it is very important that colleagues know each other beyond just the work you do. We've got 3 great tips to help your team connect more smoothly and easily.

At face value, sure, work is about productivity. But to think that's the only thing that drives a business or motivates employees is an antiquated, utilitarian nightmare. Because when you really get down to it, work is much more than that. It's often about fulfilling a company's core mission and fulfilling employees' professional goals. And that is one of the many reasons that fun is such an important aspect of work culture.

Plenty of companies have held off as long as they could, delaying from planning company events, in hopes that the whole team would be back together in the office soon...

But then the Delta variant arrived. So, now it's time to face facts. Virtual events foster virtual connection. And in today's workplace, virtual connections are every bit as real as in-person.

With COVID case numbers increasing due to the Delta variant, we've noticed some trends amongst our clients. We know there's a lot of uncertainty and that you may be trying to suss out what's happening so that you can make the best decisions for your own company. Here's what we're seeing in the market.

So, your company has employees in multiple time zones, across the country or across the globe. And you want them to feel together and united, even if they're working remotely or from different offices. You want to plan and execute a global event that is fun, fresh, and focused. Well, we're here to tell you how to make it happen.

We're constantly reviewing feedback from the events we host, looking for details of what went well so we can build from it. And from poring through that data, we've found some consistent trends of what employees want. Here's what we found.

Since publishing this post in 2021, 52 Connections has been played by thousands of participants at hundreds of companies. It has become ZogCulture's signature speed networking game. Learn more about in-person and virtual options.

Have you ever wondered how to make it less awkward to get to know your colleagues? Whether colleagues who have been acquainted for years but don't really have a tight bond or a class of new hires, there must be a way to make this process easier and more fun. Right? 

Abso-freaking-lutely! So we thought about it and created something fun, fast, and friendly. It's called 52 Connections. Trust us, you're going to want to grab our deck of cards and start playing.

For the past month, the sports world has been abuzz with jaw-dropping performances of the world's top athletes, as they attempt to qualify for this summer's Olympic Games in Tokyo. From well-known names like Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky, and Serena Williams to new, exciting athletes like Caeleb Dressel (swimming) and Noah Lyles (sprinter), the Olympics are going to be must-see content for the summer.

We're so inspired by these athletes that we thought we'd apply some of their lessons to planning your company event.

After working from home for a while, your team may have fallen into some bad habits around your virtual meetings. Maybe the meetings drag on a bit. Maybe they lack focus or don't get the results you need. Maybe employees are tuned out because it's hard to get a word in.

Well, after months of hosting and managing large events, working with our clients to understand how their organizations work best, we're ready to share what we've learned.

Now that it's June, you many notice lots of companies changing their social media identities to the rainbow flag.

Yes, Pride is here... And there! And everywhere! At best, it's exciting and educational and a chance to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community and connect authentically with coworkers. But at worst, it's viewed as nothing more than a corporate stunt, and could get your company called out. 

Many of our clients have started announcing or rolling out their "return to office" policies for the year. While the progress toward normalcy feels SO great, it does make planning your company team-building events a little bit more complicated. Should you wait it out or risk cancellation and do in-person? Should you stick with virtual? And how do you know whether you're making the right choice?

Decisions, decisions. 

Every team has dynamic personalities and varied interests, so sometimes it's tough to figure out what kind of virtual event is fun and engaging for everyone. Trust us: the answer is NOT to just plan something bland and generic. Come along with us, we're going on a Choose Your Own Adventure joyride!

The Olympic Games may have been postponed last year, but that only makes us more excited for this year's Summer Games. And we're not just talking about Tokyo... we're talking about a can't lose virtual summer event that is perfect for any company looking to have fun, stay connected, and play to win!

With June just a few weeks away, now is a perfect time to start planning your company's Pride celebration. We've got a bunch of great ideas to help you show your support for the LGBTQ+ community, celebrate diversity and inclusion, and enjoy a chance to connect and have fun with your coworkers. It's a win-win-win!

Last year, many of us were caught off guard by the pandemic. We didn't know how long we'd be working from home. We didn't know how to keep our company culture strong while working remotely. We didn't know what we didn't know.

But now, we know better. And that means, we better get on the ball! So, this is your polite reminder to get started planning your summer virtual programming. Here's what to do.