It is unlikely that virtual or online events have the power to completely replace the experience of participating in gatherings such as seminars, product presentations, corporate parties or teambuildings in the “real world”. However, in circumstances that require longer absences from common work areas, limited gatherings and social distance, online events can prove to be very effective.
They are not a novelty. The positive sides of live conferences, virtual fairs, educational and expert gatherings have been noticed before. Such events are not spatially limited, so with little fuss and a good internet connection, individuals from all meridians can attend. Influencing a company’s online presence and increasing its carefully targeted internet community is another reason to organize online events.
Virtual conferences
There are certainly organizational differences between a “regular” and an online event, so instead of choosing a hotel and seating schedule, you should think about the most reliable platforms and how to take full advantage of their possibilities. Other tasks are the same in both cases: suitable dates, branding, preparation of materials that will attract attention, number of participants, duration. All this depends on the goals of the company, so it must be carefully considered.
An example of good organization of this type of event is the company ADATA, which in the midst of the pandemic presented its first gaming notebook XENIA in the format of an online conference on the global YouTube channel of its brand XPG. The promotion of the event, a measured duration with clear communication in the form of answers to key questions, resulted in a successful presentation and interest in the new product.
Canon also had great success in organizing the REIMAGINE eventlast month – the largest launch of its products to date, including the new EOS R5, EOS R6 full-frame mirrorless cameras, the imagePROGRAF PRO-300 printer and new RF lens and extender models. By organizing the presentation online, Canon’s ambassadors around the world were given the opportunity to share impressions and experiences through their video testimonies.
Hybrid form
Online and live events are often combined. This combination happens, for example, in cases when some speakers are not able to be present physically on the stage of the gathering. So they attend it via live online connection. Other participants can also attend the gathering by sharing the link.
Virtual teambuilding
To organize a virtual event, you only need connection via Zoom or similar platforms. It is also suitable for teambuilding creative ideas. All goals such as strengthening team spirit, getting to know team members better, having fun and encouraging cooperation can be achieved this way as well.
As a team that pretty often organizes teambuildings, whether they are one-day cooking competitions; multi-day trips; a crazy roller coaster ride or a relaxing Saturday on Ada, we were skeptical about their online version. However, we have been convinced that virtual teambuildings can also be creative and exciting.
There are a variety of options, some we’ve tried and some planned for the days ahead. You can play team games that you create internally. Puzzles for teams, quizzes about the company, its employees or clients, pantomimes or association games – you choose what will remind your team members of the office and company spirit.
We have also tried some of the detailly elaborated online programs that most resemble Escape Room tasks and as such provide a certain dose of mystery, tension and the desire that your team wins.
It is obvious that we all have to adapt to the new conditions dictated by this strange time in which we live. In business terms, that means we have to find a way to function as a team even when we are forced to work remotely. If that means we need to come up with a new kind of teamwork and teambuilding, we are ready for that challenge. And you?
