A Virtual Champagne Moment
May was a great month for our company. We broke through a psychological income barrier and set a new monthly record. These are the types of things that should be celebrated in companies – but how do you do that in a virtual environment? This is one of the downsides of working in a virtual company.
What we ended up doing was transferring an amount of money into each person’s bank account (including some of our favourite suppliers and associates – all those who had contributed during May), instructing them to find a few friends and go out and celebrate on our behalf. There is something fun about that, and I think it has achieved the purpose of an organisational celebration, but maybe there are other things we could have done (or could still do). Any ideas?
Final thought: I console myself with the thought that most “normal” corporations do not have the celebrations at all anyway, so are still one step ahead.
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As I listened to some of the presentations we did this week at HRDA this thought crossed my mind. If BELONGING is important for people and the shift is happening from communities to corporates, how will this be done in a virtual enviorment?
How do we challenge team members to connect and get to know the others in the team? We do get together occasionaly and some meet more often. How much accountability needs to be owned by each team member to help the process of belonging to happen. A relationship is always two sided. We all need to make the time and effort to connect invidually as well as collectively.
I have felt a tremendous sense of pride…a kind of glow really since this news broke of TmTd smashing another glass ceiling. Has made me think of how ‘connected’ we really are in spite of the distances, different schedules, various strengths and pass-you-in-the-sky movements. It feels like a team victory and in every way is a team victory. It is an awesome feeling to belong to such a team. When Eric arrived in the country he was impressed by the numerous sms he recieved (from people he hadn’t yet met) welcoming him to SA. That is an indication of connection and belonging. Let’s do the same for Nick next Tuesday.
As a “virtual relation” to tmtd.biz, I have had the privilege of watching the organisation grow from its humble beginnings to the “sparkling” heights it is now reaching. Congratulations on reaching this milestone,but I am sure that is only the beginning of many such milestones.I too will enjoy the bubbly!!
i think in a virtual company it is rarther interesting with relationshiops and celebrstions,especially for a person like me who wants everbody to be one big happy family.I realised as a growing member of the tmtd team, if u don’t make an effort to know people in your virtual company, and tell them your life stories (champaingne moments and eina moments) no body knows anything about you. You have to make an effort to play in this space to be part of it.
As Lynda says the responsibilty lies with an individual.
I also believe that the team must also get together say 4 times a year???this is just for me to put the face to the new members and a hug to those you can’t get to during the year.
The best thing about Ally McBeal was being able to do downstairs to the bar after work and have Vonda Shepard sing. Virtual champagne isn’t the same as the real thing…so I say “Aye” to Neo’s suggestion for getting the team together a few more times in the year. Yes, that’s difficult logistically and all of that, but if we don’t try to do it – it won’t happen. Barrie’s now moving up to Joburg so I’ll get to see him more often (and we’re both excited about that!) – maybe we need to do the celebration (or at least the “get-together” at Gold Reef in 2 weeks time with Eric?
In my work with various teams on various organisational levels and in various sectors, I have yet to come accross the corporate team with the same resonance as ours – virtual or not. We have such a strong shared value regarding relationships, that everything is governed by this. It is a privilege to be part of this. Thanks