Automated Virtual Coffee Breaks

Introduction

Let's talk about the struggle of feeling isolated in a remote team. We hardly ever see each other in person, right? It's like we're all stuck in our own little bubbles, just doing work stuff and not much else.

But hey, here's where virtual coffee chats come in! They're like the cool new trend in remote work. Instead of feeling all alone, we can actually have real conversations with our team online. It's like bringing the coffee break to your laptop screen!

So, what exactly are virtual coffees? Well, they're basically meetups where we hang out, drink our favorite beverages (coffee, tea, whatever floats your boat), and just chat about anything and everything. It's a chance to get to know each other better and make work a bit more fun.

And trust me, there are loads of perks to these virtual hangouts. They help us bond as a team, which makes working together way smoother. Plus, they're perfect for sharing feedback and bouncing ideas around in a laid-back setting.

In a nutshell, virtual coffees are like the glue that keeps our team connected, even when we're miles apart.

How to get a good virtual coffee break? 

Your initial task is to establish some organization for this social gathering. It's far from ideal to find yourselves awkwardly staring at each other through a Zoom or Microsoft Teams call without any direction. That's why this post offers a collection of genuinely enjoyable virtual coffee break suggestions. These ideas will not only spare you the hassle but also offer your team the essential and enjoyable conversation time they need. Let's dive into the suggestions!

Here are 15 cool icebreaker questions you can use for your virtual coffee breaks to get the conversation flowing and maybe even spark some fun debates! If things start to get a bit quiet, just circle back to these topics:

1. How have your routines changed since working remotely/hybrid?
2. What was the best advice you received?
3. When was the last time you experienced an unexpected kindness?
4. What is one thing you would love to learn?
5. How would you describe your communication style?
6. What was the most useful purchase you made in the last year?
7. How do you motivate yourself to face difficult tasks?
8. What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken?
9. Who is someone you look up to and why?
10. What is one goal you’re excited to be working towards right now?
11. What do you value most in your friendships?
12. What is your favorite thing about where you live?
13. What was the last thing you did for the first time?
14. When you were growing up, what was your dream job?
15. How would your parents or family members describe what you do for work?

What exactly is a virtual coffee break?‍

A virtual coffee break is a time for you and your virtual team to hang out and chat without focusing on work related tasks. These breaks can be scheduled within your regular workday or used as a breather between longer meetings. And no, you don't actually need to be drinking coffee to join in the fun. ;)

How long should a remote coffee break last?‍

Ideally, virtual coffee breaks should run for about 15 to 30 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to catch up with your colleagues without feeling like you're wasting precious work hours.

Who should be included in a remote coffee break?

Everyone on your team should be invited to join the virtual coffee break. It's a great way to foster team spirit and ensure that everyone feels included and connected.

How often should we hold virtual coffee meetings?‍

In an article published by the Harvard Business Review, Tsedal Neeley suggests remote team leaders should increase how often they check in with their team leaders. And not only should touching base increase, but meetings and virtual coffee breaks should as well.

How does a virtual coffee break differ from other remote activities?‍

Virtual coffee breaks are specifically focused on socializing as coworkers. Unlike other work-related remote activities, virtual coffee breaks provide an opportunity for casual conversations and building friendships within the team. In a traditional office setting, these informal interactions happen naturally, but in a virtual environment, it's important to intentionally create these moments.

‍What's the next step?‍

Get your team together and plan that virtual coffee break! It's time to strengthen teams and enjoy some quality time together.

Try litespace to launch your coffee chat program, Let's make it happen! 🎉☕️