Keeping teams connected across 18,000km: Bridging distances and time zones
Katie Simons
Global Head of Talent Acquisition
Today, companies are often spread across vast distances, with team members located in different countries, time zones, and cultural contexts. It’s a completely globalized business landscape. Yet, keeping teams connected and working cohesively is more important than ever. This July we actively strengthened these connections through a unique global competition which we called ‘Connect Four’.
This event not only tested our competitive spirits but also brought us closer together, fostering new relationships and providing an interesting window into our diverse backgrounds. It also tested our knowledge of time zones and our organizational skills to get everyone involved at a reasonable hour!
The Connect Four global competition
The Connect Four event was designed with four distinct areas of competition: mental challenges, physical activities, acts of kindness, and creativity.
These categories ensured that every team member could contribute in meaningful ways, regardless of their location or expertise. We then assigned teams at random, drawing people from different offices, disciplines and teams together in ways they may not in their day-to-day roles. They were encouraged to communicate and collaborate anyway that suited them best. For some that means a Teams group chat that spanned the world, for others it was weekly check-in video calls.
We left it to our different teams to choose a collaborative style that would provide the most fun as they tackled the different challenges.
Mental challenges:
To stimulate the teams to think outside the box, the competition featured puzzles, trivia, and strategic games.
One of the standout tasks was a cultural quiz, where each team member submitted five questions about their culture or background and the rest of the team had to answer. This activity educated us about the rich diversity within our organization, fostering a deeper appreciation for the unique perspectives each person brings to the table.
Physical activities:
Keeping teams connected isn’t just about mental engagement—it’s also about maintaining physical wellbeing.
For the physical section, we set fitness challenges that encouraged team members to get active, whether through walking, running, or other exercises. It was up to them to choose what suited them and their lifestyle best. What was lovely is that some teams took that to mean taking a collective walk together at lunchtime.
Acts of kindness:
In a world where remote or hybrid working – or just collaborating with people in different time zones – can cause communication difficulties, it’s important to bring kindness back to the fore. We’ve all had a Teams message or an email that feels harsher than it would have if it had been said to you directly… The acts of kindness portion of the challenge was to remind us of the importance of human connection. Teams were challenged to engage in acts of kindness within their communities or towards one another. Spreading positivity and reinforcing the values that bind us as a global team.
One memorable submission was a series of hand-written “thank you” notes one team member wrote to each of her colleagues on the rest of her team, thanking them for their contribution to the challenge so far!
Creativity:
This segment of the competition allowed everyone to express their unique skills and passions. Spotlighting talents we don’t usually get to see in our day to day activities and interactions.
We saw everything from homemade lava lamps to beautiful and intricate jute designs. There were no limitations on what people could do, so we were delighted at the variety of creativity we saw.
Building new connections and strengthening old ones
Ultimately, there was a winning team who scored the highest for their contributions to the challenge. But we had so many teams from different functions and locations working together tackle these challenges. They got stuck in and excited about staying connected even when separated by 18,000 kilometers – that I’m so proud of everyone who participated!
The competition definitely revealed the competitive side in many of us. Yet, it wasn’t just about winning—it was about learning from each other and celebrating our collective success.
I have to say, the cultural quiz was a particular highlight. It encouraged everyone to explore and share their heritage, nuanced jokes, art, and all the wonderful things that make living and working in one place different from another.
A lasting impact
The event not only bridged distances and time zones but also bridged gaps in our understanding. Creating a stronger, more connected global team.
The lessons learned, relationships formed, and knowledge gained during this time will continue to resonate as we move forward. Reminding us that no matter how far apart we may be, we can always find ways to connect.
In a world where 18,000 kilometers can seem like a daunting distance, initiatives like Connect Four show that with creativity, collaboration, and a shared purpose, we can bridge any gap and stay united as one team.
Thank you to those who organized (a big thank you to Tiff Skinner) and those who took part, dedicating time in an already busy day. I already can’t wait for the next one!
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Overall we come from many different backgrounds but we align as one to get customers connected faster. We encourage each team to work with an entrepreneurial mindset. Every one of us is empowered to try new ideas, fail fast and learn even quicker.
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