Enhancing Remote Company Culture with Top 6 Online Activities

Maria Golubeva
JAGAAD Digital Solutions
5 min readJan 16, 2024

Hi there! I’m Maria, and I work with the fantastic team at Jagaad, a fully remote international company. I’m from Belarus, while my colleagues are spread out in countries like Italy, Portugal, India, Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, Cameroon, and more.

Even though we occasionally have offline team-building activities organized by the company, we don’t get the chance to meet in person very often.

That’s why our HR team is on a mission to enhance our remote culture, keeping us all connected and up-to-date, no matter the physical distance.

Remote work concept and its impact on company culture

The rise of remote work has transformed the traditional workplace landscape, redefining how teams collaborate and engage. Remote work allows employees to perform their job duties from locations outside the traditional office setting. This change has deep consequences for company culture, as it challenges the traditional norms of in-person interactions and daily face-to-face communication.

The impact of remote work on company culture involves navigating new ways of fostering teamwork, maintaining employee morale, and creating a sense of belonging among team members who may be physically dispersed.

In the world of remote work, having a strong company culture is key. A solid company culture helps bring these teams together, creating a sense of unity and shared goals. It’s not just about keeping employees happy — it’s a guide that helps everyone understand the company’s values, even when working from different locations.

At Jagaad, our HR team is dedicated to fostering meaningful connections among our people, both professionally and personally. We understand that a strong team thrives on collaboration, and to ensure this, we’ve curated a variety of activities aimed at maintaining a cohesive work environment. In this article, I’m excited to share with you the top six activities that our HR team has implemented, contributing to the company culture and enhancing the bonds that make Jagaad a truly connected and engaged remote community:

  • Welcome meeting.
  • Jagaad Talks.
  • Donut Time.
  • Hour with CEO.
  • Teambuilding activity.
  • Kudos day.

Welcome meetings

We have a cool tradition that happens every time we welcome new team members. It’s a short and sweet half-hour session where we get to know each other better.

During these meetings, each person introduces themselves, sharing a bit about their background and experiences. It’s a fantastic way to put faces to names and create a friendly atmosphere even when we’re miles apart.

To make things more interesting, our HR manager comes up with a fun “Question of the Day.” It could be anything from sharing your favorite travel spot to talking about personal achievements.

Welcome meeting

Jagaad Talks

Once a month, we gather virtually for an insightful session where an internal speaker shares a specific topic with a prepared presentation and examples.

During Jagaad Talks, questions and discussions are always welcomed. It’s not just a one-way street — we get to engage with the speaker, share our thoughts, and dive into interesting conversations. Whether it’s a topic related to work or something more fun, these talks bring us closer together.

Jagaad Talks are more than just learning; they’re a chance for us to share ideas, and strengthen our bonds as a remote team.

Jagaad Talks slides

Donut Time

We’ve found one more delightful way to stay connected — every two weeks, our trusty Slack bot pairs team members.

During Donut Time, colleagues get a chance to have a virtual coffee break with someone they might not regularly interact with. It’s an opportunity to chat about anything — work, hobbies, or even just share a good laugh. The randomness of the pairings adds a fun twist, fostering new connections and creating a more close and friendly group.

Donut time

Hour with CEO

Once a month, our boss sets aside time to chat and answer any questions related to the company.

This virtual gathering is a chance for team members to connect directly with the CEO, ask about updates, and get insights into the company’s direction. It’s a friendly and open forum where everyone’s questions are welcome, creating a transparent and informed work environment.

The “Hour with CEO” is more than just an update session — it’s a way for our remote team to feel connected, involved, and part of the bigger picture. With this monthly opportunity, our CEO ensures that no matter where we are in the world, we’re all on the same page.

Hour with CEO

Teambuilding activities

One of our favorite ways to stay connected is through our monthly teambuilding activity. For about 1 hour, we come together virtually to have some fun.

During these sessions, we dive into various games that keep things lively and enjoyable. It’s a chance to break away from the usual work routine and share some laughs with our teammates.

Stay tuned for another article where I’ll share some fantastic ideas for teambuilding activities. Because, after all, a strong team is not just about work — it’s about enjoying the journey together.

Halloween team building activity

Kudos Day

Every last Friday of the month is a special day we like to call “Kudos Day.” It’s a time when we gather on our Slack channel to spread some positivity and celebrate each other’s achievements.

On Kudos Day, team members take a moment to share professional and personal shoutouts and feedback. It’s all about recognizing the hard work and accomplishments of our colleagues. Whether it’s hitting a project milestone, being a great team player, or simply spreading good vibes, Kudos Day is a chance to express gratitude and appreciation.

We believe that kudos are more than just words — they’re powerful encouragements that motivate us to keep pushing our limits.

Kudos messages

We want every team member to feel like they belong, no matter where they are in the world. It’s all about creating a global community that’s connected and thriving.

Don’t hesitate to explore and implement these activities in your organization. They’re not just about work; they’re about creating an environment where your team feels connected and engaged.

Got some awesome online activities that work wonders for your team? Share in the comments! Your ideas could be just the thing another team needs.

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Maria Golubeva
JAGAAD Digital Solutions

Belarusian | QA Engineer in Italian company | Mentor in Tech | Web Automation | Workations ambassador