What I have learnt as a Virtual Team Building Event Host
When the lockdown was announced in Berlin, I was filled with sadness and dismay to find out that my offline events had started to be canceled. I could have been sad about it, but my tech-savvy partner encouraged me to go virtual and explore this vast ocean of possibilities. It has been great to do online events from home and to connect with global teams from all over the world, be it hosting LinkedIn from Australia, Google from Finland, or MIT from Boston, being an online event organizer is a job like no other, and here are a few things this experience of hosting hundreds of events has taught me. If you're considering online hosting or just want to know what it's like to host an online event, you're in the right place!
The Technicalities of Virtual Events
Our events get multiple 5 star reviews on Airbnb
Learning the technical nitty-gritty of things was not an easy task, but a really important one. I have learned how to use Squarespace to run this very website you are reading this blog on, as well as the entirety of Google Suite, Zoom, and other video conferencing platforms for organization and communication. I also had to experiment with different microphones and webcams for my setup for the virtual events.
Managing and Understanding Emotions
Being calm and patient at work while being flexible and fast at the same time is one of the most important things I learned at work. Empathy and kindness are the two emotions that I have grown to respect the most since I began working. My ability to empathize with people and maintain an open mind in the face of potentially challenging circumstances for others grows as I put in more effort at work.
Creating Engaging Events
We keep our customers engaged throughout the event
I had to adapt myself to using online platforms like Zoom to conduct events online. Our clients mostly work on screens most of the time, and our events can add to the Zoom fatigue they are already going through. As virtual events can get tiring due to screen fatigue, it can be difficult to keep them engaging. It is best to keep them brief. You can’t experience the warmth you feel in person on the screen, and I have had to learn how to convey this warmth and excitement to the teams that are miles away across the globe. I've learned how to spread joy so that the occasion is enjoyable and stress-free for everyone involved.
Combining food styling, talking about spices, and sharing stories about culture and dancing helps me break the monotony of the events and help people bond better with each other. We create an environment where there is something for everyone’s interests and everyone can engage, get up, and dance with joy. We've had instances where people not only connect with their coworkers on a personal level but also with their pets, parents, and families. Making my online events captivating to all five senses has always been my goal. At a Kitty Party event, you will be able to create memories with your colleagues, and you will genuinely enjoy every moment.
Communication
The technical setup for one of our virtual team building events
Online communication differs from offline communication in that there is a possibility for misunderstanding, so I always repeat a statement four or five times.
There were times when people chose to remain silent and not turn on their cameras. Many people join only to stay for a moment but end up staying longer just to watch how the event is going.
Gradually, I learned how communication styles vary from person to person. A client from Antarctica who was rather silent during the entire event later surprisingly gave me the best compliment I had ever received for one of my virtual events. As the event came to a close, she stated that The Spice it Up was the best of the 50 events she had attended in The Lockdown. We can't assume that every person communicates in the same way; some are silent, attentive listeners, and some engage and actively respond to everything you have to say. Each person engages with the world differently, and it is truly beautiful.
Spice it up!
My herb garden is one of the most appreciated part of our online events
How people across the world are using spices and their relationship with food was an eye-opening experience for me. After participating in these events, I realized how interested people are in learning about spices. They all get amazed as they find a way to get rid of the intimidating nature of spices.
I'm always astounded by how reverent people are of Indian cuisine and spices. I try to make complex ideas simple by sharing my knowledge of spices through stories. Even though the stories come from different parts of the world—some are the same and some are vastly different—spices are a part of all these events.
I also pursued my hobby of kitchen gardening during the lockdown. When I showed people my tiny little chillies and turmeric plants, they would appreciate them a lot, which motivated me to learn a thing or two about growing plants.
Working positively on feedback
We value feedback and go out of our way to work on it
When people say that the events at Kitty Party were the best events they ever attended, a lot of hard work has gone into them, and feedback has been a large part of that. Taking constructive criticism positively and improving myself accordingly is important to me. The teams at ServiceNow told me in the end that my Riverview and kitchen garden should always be a part of my events, and I always try to show them to people when the events are hosted during the day. Feedback on what recipes people enjoy the most helps me curate better cooking workshops. There is always scope for improving and making things better in small and big ways. The cycle will go on, and it will keep making us better, and we will never get complacent.
Dancing
Dancing to destress!
I personally love dancing a lot, and that's why my very good friend told me to include dancing as a part of my events, as I'm quite passionate about dancing. When we included dancing as a part of our virtual events, it changed the game. There’s no party at Kitty Party without dance and music! It's my love for music and dancing that people can see and feel, and that is what attracts them to our events. So many people know Indian songs and request that I play specific Indian songs, for example, from Shah Rukh Khan’s movies. It is refreshing to watch teams mimic the original choreographies from Bollywood music videos step by step. It is really special to know that Bollywood has such a deep global reach into other parts of the world.
The world had never planned COVID-19 and the strange times of the lockdown. Online events were not something I had considered; however, I do believe that sometimes even bad things can also lead to something positive. I certainly did find a thing that I didn't know I would love to do. I have learned so much while being a virtual team-building host, and I believe the journey has just begun.