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Forget ‘trust falls’ and awkward after-work drinks. Here’s how to build real team spirit for your staff…

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Team building. When it comes to unwelcome work-related events, team building is often right up there with ’HR meeting’.But numerous<a href="https://www.gallup.com/workplace/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> studies</a> have shown that ‘team building’ – getting your staff together to bond, usually over an activity – is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your business.&nbsp;“When you [invest in] team building, you see job satisfaction increase, boosts to employee morale and productivity, improved communication, higher <a href="https://www.afterpay.com/en-US/for-retailers/access/staff-management/employee-retention" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">retention</a> and more,” says Michael Alexis, CEO of<a href="https://teambuilding.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> TeamBuilding.com</a>, a global company that has organized staff events and team building at Google, Amazon, Netflix and Apple, among thousands.“One study found that socializing between team members improves communication patterns by more than 50 per cent; another reported that women who have a best friend at work are twice as likely to remain there as someone who doesn’t,” Alexis explains.

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Nearly anything can be a team-building activity.

The crux of team building is to foster a sense of connectedness within your staff and their team. The good news? “Nearly anything can be a team building activity” he says: “from throwing a frisbee at the park, to getting ice cream together, if you call it team building, then it is.”The best team building activities have three common elements.

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And, if the last 18 months have shown us anything, it’s that team building doesn’t have to happen in person. COVID-19 has seen an explosion in remote and online team building, with Alexis pointing out that one of TeamBuilding.com’s most popular exercises has been carried out over Zoom:“Online Office Games is a 90-minute, fully hosted experience over Zoom. It includes team formations, icebreakers, trivia, and a fun communications game called ‘Can you hear me now?’”John Tabari is the founder and co-chief executive officer of<a href="https://classbento.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </a><a href="https://classbento.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Class Bento</a>, a workshops, activities and team-building events company that operates in Australia, the US and the UK. He sees the switch to remote working as “a once-in-a-generation change” to the workplace that can have dire consequences – including burnout – if staff don’t feel connected or valued within a team.Tabari explains: “Now that we are working ‘hybrid’ [a hybrid office environment features both in-office and remote workers] there are more silos and feelings of isolation among staff.” He believes creative workshops – including painting and even craft – can be a great way to keep teams running more cohesively. “It is very important to keep people bonding, as this creates more trust to share ideas, which drives innovation and improves productivity.”As for the cringe factor, Alexis says it’s imperative you hold any type of team building activity within office hours. “One of the most effective ways to encourage participation at team-building events is to make it paid work time. If you plan your event after hours, many people have obligations or otherwise may prefer not to come. Doing the event during work hours makes it easier for your team to commit.&nbsp;“Also, get your people excited about the event before it happens! In addition to telling them what activity you will be doing, share why you chose it and maybe even add some reviews.”Read on for different team building activities that are fun for everyone, without feeling forced.

Team bonding creates more trust to share ideas, which drives innovation and improves productivity.

<h2>Remote/ virtual activities</h2>Virtual team building ideas are in hot demand since the world was impacted by a pandemic. And while in-person activities can be adapted and given a virtual makeover, there are plenty of events designed specifically for remote teams.<h3>1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Blackout Truth or Dare</h3>The host of the team says, “truth or dare!” and anyone who is not willing to do it, turns off their camera. The cameras that stay on are then asked to perform an action: singing in front of the group, for example, or sharing a childhood nickname. The winner is the person in the team who is last to turn their camera off.<h3>2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://teambuilding.com/blog/virtual-team-building-activities" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: blue; background-color: white;">Tiny Campfire</a></h3>This is one of TeamBuilding.com’s most popular events. A facilitator provides each participant with a package for the day – a teeny marshmallow, a Digestive biscuit, a piece of chocolate and a candle, which they use to ‘roast’ their<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%27more" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: white;"> </a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%27more" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: blue; background-color: white;">S’mores</a> on. Then, on ‘camp day’ team members log in to a video conference room for 90 minutes of camp games, trivia and historic ghost stories. The advantage of this type of exercise is it’s semi-virtual, memory-invoking and nostalgic.<h3>3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Lightning scavenger hunt</h3>This is where you hunt for ordinary items around your own home, including breakfast food, a DIY tool, the last book you read and a postcard, for example. It could also include fridge magnets, umbrellas, high heels and toilet paper. Airbnb offers <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/experiences/1671726" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: white;">Living Room Legends Lightning Scavenger Hunts</a> through its Airbnb online experiences offering.&nbsp;<h3>4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Workshops exploring cultures</h3>“Right now, people can’t travel as much as they used to,” explains Tabari. “So, we’ve done our best to bring travel to our teams. One very popular virtual experience is making<a href="https://classbento.com.au/diy-turkish-mosaic-table-lamp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: white;"> </a><a href="https://classbento.com.au/diy-turkish-mosaic-table-lamp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: blue; background-color: white;">Turkish lamps</a> as a team, where a whole kit is delivered and you feel like – for a moment – you are on holiday.”&nbsp;<h3>5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A Slack channel for memes</h3>This one is super easy and the perfect way to deliver a little humor and lightness when you’re communicating electronically all day. Create a dedicated<a href="https://slack.com/intl/en-au/help/articles/360017938993-What-is-a-channel" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: windowtext;"> </a><a href="https://slack.com/intl/en-au/help/articles/360017938993-What-is-a-channel" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: blue;">Slack</a> channel and make sure everyone in your team has a turn, even those who say they can’t find a meme… just send them a few online links and let the laughs begin. People don’t just love to laugh, they love to be thought of as funny, too.<h2>Out of office activities</h2>Getting outside and away from the office is a great way to build camaraderie. Here are some brilliant out-of-office team-building ideas.<h3>1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Escape Room</h3>This involves all staff members being taken to a room and given a limited amount of time to solve a puzzle using clues to escape. There are thousands of escape rooms, including mobile ones, all over the world and some have themed ‘rooms’ such as jails and castles. They’re a great way to promote collaboration, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and fast decision making in a low-stakes environment.<h3>2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Scavenger hunts</h3>Scavenger hunts have morphed to include their own genres, including a ‘photo’ scavenger hunt where you have to take pictures with your phone of different objects, and a ‘talent’ scavenger hunt that includes singing, handstands and more. TeamBuilding.com has a ‘selfie’ hunt, where you are required to get selfies with everyone from your family including a cute pet. There are even apps available to download, such as<a href="https://www.goosechase.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </a><a href="https://www.goosechase.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: blue;">GooseChase</a> and<a href="https://www.letsroam.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </a><a href="https://www.letsroam.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: blue;">Let’s Roam</a>, which includes a bar hunt option, allowing you to turn your hunt into a pub crawl.<h3>3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Laser tag</h3>A team building classic, laser tag can happen indoors or outside and makes great use of strategic and planning skills. There are even options that include accommodation so you can stay overnight, enjoy breakfast, and enjoy a wide variety of activities like archery and hiking. Facilitators can divide teams evenly according to skill and fitness level. Keep in mind that if it’s an outdoor event, there may be more cardio involved.<h3>4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Candle making</h3>Candle kits are great for both in-house and remote team building. Companies like<a href="https://blazeandfoam.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </a><a href="https://blazeandfoam.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: blue;">Blazeandfoam.com.au</a> provide the kit and a tutor to guide you through the activity, and it’s a great way to get people out of their comfort zones and shift gears.<h3>5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Terrarium workshop</h3>One of the most popular team building events at Class Bento, the<a href="https://classbento.com.au/succulent-terrarium-workshop" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </a><a href="https://classbento.com.au/succulent-terrarium-workshop" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: blue;">succulent terrarium workshop</a> is held at a florist, but can also be done virtually with kits sent to staff in advance. An easy way to connect with nature, building your own little garden is a meditative experience that provides an easy, accessible way of slowing down and increasing focus for your team. <h3>6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Charitable events</h3>Register your team with a not-for-profit organisation’s fun run or walk. Marathons and walks are an ideal way of uniting the team around a common goal and injecting a greater sense of purpose.

<h1>Upgrades to the traditional team dinners or lunches</h1>Team dinners or lunches are a tried-and-true way to build team spirit. But why not aim for an event that offers more than the standard meal out?<h2>1.	Trivia night</h2>Why not swap a traditional meal out with your team for a trivia night? If this is outside of work hours, it’s best if it’s held somewhere a little more enticing than the office. A bar is fine, but a restaurant that caters to everyone’s dietary tastes is better still if you’re asking for more than just an end-of-year get together. There are plenty of trivia questions around the internet or you can plan ahead by finding out unusual things about your staff and team and asking people to guess. For example, “What is Jenny’s middle name?” and “Which one of these three men went to Paris when he was 15?” The advantage of making it about staff is that everyone feels like an important part of the team and gets to know everyone else.<h2>2.	Quizzes</h2>Another option is to add a quiz on to your team dinner. While it’s tempting to make the subject of your quiz about work, remember, you might not get the same level of enthusiasm from your team if you do! Consider current events or pop culture, and if it’s a big group, try dividing into teams of four and setting a timer.<h2>3.	Lucky dips</h2>Everyone loves prizes, but with lucky dips it pays to have more than one major prize thrown in along with the candles, mugs and keyrings. Vouchers are always a good idea, too.<h2>4.	Secret Santa</h2>Perfect for Christmas but great for any other time, too, consider holding a Secret Santa for Christmas in July to boost morale, or even an end-of-financial-year giveaway. For a big project that everyone has been diligently working on that’s been successful, it’s worth putting a bit of intention behind the celebration. Drinks at the pub is nice but taking the team out to lunch and asking everyone to bring a gift worth no more than $10, is more personal.<h2>5.	Wine tastings</h2>You can take your team away for a weekend at a winery but if you want to keep it within work hours, devote a day to it. Or try a cocktail-making workshop.<a href="https://www.redballoon.com.au/cooking-classes/cocktail/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA8ICOBhDmARIsAEGI6o1vw3drQjNULeFI5QLTlleagSdPwZA8w_BVuGGkPma-05fkcWdCKPwaArlIEALw_wcB" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: transparent;"> </a><a href="https://www.redballoon.com.au/cooking-classes/cocktail/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA8ICOBhDmARIsAEGI6o1vw3drQjNULeFI5QLTlleagSdPwZA8w_BVuGGkPma-05fkcWdCKPwaArlIEALw_wcB" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); background-color: transparent;">Red Balloon</a> has a variety of them, all led by expert bartenders.<h2>6.	Cooking class</h2><a href="https://classbento.com.au/cocktail-and-dumpling-making-class" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Class Bento</a> provide cultural culinary experiences such as sushi or dumpling making – it’s an easy-to-learn new cooking skill for the kitchen while enjoying a cocktail and free lunch with the team.

<h1>Indoor team-building games</h1>Looking for team building activities you can do indoors or during a corporate retreat? Read on:<h2>1.	Three truths and a lie</h2>Hand each person four pieces of paper. On one of them they should write a lie. Examples should be easy, especially if the team don’t know each other. Something such as ‘I’ve been to Pluto’ or ‘I have a gold medal’; on the other three pieces of paper are written their truths – ‘I was once a chef’ or ‘I played netball for ten years’. Ask the person to read out all four and have the rest of the team guess which one is the lie.&nbsp;<h2>2.	Blind drawing</h2>Split your team off into pairs. Have each pair sit back-to-back and set a timer. One person must draw what the other person describes without them giving away what it is. For example, ‘Santa sitting on a surfboard’ where the only things allowed to be described would be ‘big fat man in a red suit is on top of something you use in the ocean’. This is a fun way to encourage communication and for people to appreciate different communication styles.<h2>3.	Two things</h2>This is a great icebreaker and especially useful for those who may feel too self-conscious to say something about themselves. Each member of the team has to say two things they love and two things they hate. It can be absolutely anything: “love my kids and my partner… hate brussels sprouts and baseball”. But it gives other people a chance to get to know what really makes them tick. It’s also a good conversation starter.&nbsp;<h2>4.	Write it down</h2>This game sees each team member give a piece of paper with a person’s name on it. Below the name they must think of one kind thing they can say that describes the person, although a sentence is better: ‘Georgie is great at deadlines’ or ‘Harry always cleans up after everyone’. Then, they fold the piece of paper down and pass it on to the next person. Smaller groups are better suited to this, so if you need to break a big group up into groups of four or five, then do so. At the end, the rolled-up piece of paper is unfolded and read aloud by the person everyone has been writing about. This is a great way to make people feel appreciated and ‘seen’ and it’s something tangible they can look at when they’ve had a bad day.

<h1>If your staff aren’t getting along….</h1>If there’s a lack of communication or tension between staff forget doing trust falls! There are some exercises you can do to build trust and help move people on, however.&nbsp;<h2>1.	The great debate</h2>“There are numerous team building exercises specifically for conflict resolution” says Alexis, who recommends one of his favourites, The Great Debate. “Essentially, you pick a low-stakes topic like ‘What is better, coffee or tea?’ and each side has to make their case. Then, halfway through you have people switch sides and debate the other perspective.”&nbsp;He believes real topics can sometimes be even better. “If you know that there is conflict between departments you could have each one argue why the other is important. These activities encourage employees to see their colleagues as real people with real perspectives. You may not instantly create best friendships, but you can boost respect and understanding.”<h2>2.	Acknowledge different personalities</h2>Choose a straightforward personality test. There are lots available online, such as<a href="https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </a><a href="https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Myers Briggs</a> and the <a href="http://discpersonalitytesting.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">DISC personality test</a> that are easy to do and fun and informative. Have a discussion in small groups about the results, for example, what it means to be introverted or have a certain style of working. That way, the next time a conflict occurs, the person can say “I’m an ITFJ” and feel more understood. Or, if two people have been disagreeing, they can start to break down exactly how the other person has been interpreting what they’ve been saying.<h2>3.	Rage rooms</h2>Places like<a href="https://thebreakroom.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </a><a href="https://thebreakroom.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">The Break Room</a> run corporate sessions and include packages with a baseball bat and specific items for the team to break. That’s right: <a href="https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/health/a27238994/rage-room-experience/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">rage rooms</a> offer the chance to wield your weapon of choice and smash your stress away. You also get to take home a gift. It’s the perfect way to blow off steam after a stressful period for your team, just make sure everyone is fully aware that what goes on in the break room must stay there! team

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Forget ‘trust falls’ and awkward after-work drinks. Here’s how to build real team spirit for your staff…

Here are 24 of the best team building activities, including virtual and remote team building activities. These top ideas are fun for your entire work team.

Team building activities: 24 best team building activities

Team building activities: 24 of the best team building activities for your work team 

Team building activities: 24 of the best team building activities for your work team US

Feeling overwhelmed? Here's how small businesses can manage their time, from four top coaches

Ernest Hemingway wasn’t a business consultant, but he knew that hard work alone doesn’t translate into productivity. “Never mistake motion for action,” warned the writer in a line that’ll resonate with any small business owner who’s struggling to hit their targets and get everything done.But how can you operate in a more effective way? Four leading business coaches share their tips.

<h2>Prioritize smarter</h2>“Many small business owners are busy but not productive,” says <a href="https://miltoncollins.actioncoach.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">business coach Milton Collins</a>. The reason: they get sucked into non-essential tasks that chew up their working day.Collins’ solution to stay on track isn’t rocket science, but its simplicity makes it effective. Before you leave work, make a to-do list for the next day that’s broken into four categories.

“If what you’re doing isn’t growing your business or making money for it, then it’s a waste of time.”

The first category is for critical tasks that only you can complete; the second is for important, but less urgent, work; the third is for jobs you can delegate to your team; while the final category is for anything you can park and reschedule. “It’s common sense,” says Collins. “But so many people don’t do it.”As a business owner, it’s important to maximize efficiency, he adds. “If what you’re doing isn’t growing your business or making money for it, then, in many cases, it’s a waste of time.”

<h2>Be proactive, not reactive</h2>“Productivity is really about creating great habits and sticking to them,” says Pru Chapman, founder of <a href="https://theownerscollective.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Owners Collective</a>, which helps start-ups to grow.

“Productivity is really about creating great habits and sticking to them.”

Take your early morning routine, for example. Do you sit down to work and immediately check your inbox for new emails? Wrong move, says Chapman. “Focus on getting one big thing done for your business before switching on your email or social media channels,” she advises.&nbsp;&nbsp;The idea here is to check off one substantial task before you’re crushed by the day’s inevitable multi-car pileup of distractions. Not only will this ensure you take control of your working day, rather than letting it get pulled in random directions, but it also helps you become proactive – not reactive.&nbsp;“When we're in that busy, busy, very reactive state, we're actually not very productive at all,” she says. “We're prioritizing everything that's urgent over everything that's important. When you’re in a proactive state, you're in the driver's seat and deciding what you're going to do and why. That's what will really push your business forward.”

<h2>Set and clarify targets</h2>Aligning your efforts and those of your team toward a collective goal is critical for your business to function productively. “You need to make the invisible visible,” says <a href="https://www.davidlennon.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">business coach David Lennon</a>.When brought in to help a failing business, he often finds that KPIs and targets aren’t properly spelled out for the employees. “I work a lot with manufacturing clients, and they're notorious for not having set targets posted in writing at each station,” says Lennon. “But sticking those signs up will help to clarify the goals of your staff.”The next step is to check in with your employees and ask them to reflect on what they believe is necessary in order to get their job done. This further step of clarification helps to ensure that your team’s energy is correctly invested. “It helps your staff understand exactly what they need to achieve,” says Lennon.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<h2>Get outsourcing</h2>If there’s one common complaint among the business owners and entrepreneurs that <a href="https://rcdoesit.com/about-rc" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">virtual business manager Rachel Caradine</a> works with, it’s this: “They tell me there aren’t enough hours in the day, and they have too many things to do.&nbsp;And yet, she says, often the problem isn’t the amount of work; it’s that business owners aren’t delegating it. “Most of them feel like they are the only person who can do everything.”

“Most business owners feel like they are the only person who can do everything.”

As a result, Caradine says that business owners often find themselves spending too much time working “in” the business instead of “on” it. Her advice? “Keep a diary for a week or two of every task you do each day. No task is too small,” she says.At the end of the period, highlight all the things that are working “in” the business (operational work, process-driven work, work that doesn’t make you money). Next, pick a different color and highlight all the things that are working “on” the business (strategic and creative work, tasks that do generate cash) in another color. Finally, take a third color and highlight the tasks that only you can do.“This exercise should leave you with a list of things that you can outsource,” says Caradine. “Outsource process-driven, operational work first.”

Feeling overwhelmed? Here's how small businesses can manage their time, from four top coaches.

4 business coaches share tips for time-strapped retailers

The lead-up to Christmas can be a frantic period for most small businesses, but for time management expert <a href="https://www.timestylers.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kate Christie</a>, it’s the calm before the storm.

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It’s in January that her phone starts lighting up; that’s when tired and overworked business owners usually contact her, desperately looking for ways to reduce their stress levels and reclaim their weekends as they head into the new year.“Most business owners are just in survival mode in the lead-up to Christmas. They’re just trying to get through it. And then they have a vacation in January and realize they want to start working differently. They come to me saying: ‘I can’t sleep. I’m so tired of working at this unsustainable pace.’⁣⁣⁣ ”By the time people approach Christie, many are exhausted. Some are managing so many aspects of their business that they feel paralyzed by indecision; others feel guilty for constantly working at the expense of their families; and “all of them feel that they don’t have enough hours in the day.”

“Most business owners are just in survival mode in the lead-up to Christmas, they feel that they don’t have enough hours in the day.”

Time management issues are nothing new for small-to-medium-sized business owners, who are often juggling numerous tasks on tight budgets and with limited staff.But this past year and a half has presented unique challenges in terms of business productivity. COVID-19 forced many retailers and businesses to radically change the way they work, with some business owners pivoting their products or services completely. Other workers have struggled with remote working and the blurring of boundaries between work and home life, or the uncertainty of living – and working – through a pandemic.Fashion designer Elinor Joslin, of <a href="https://joslinstudio.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Joslin Studio</a>, admits that during lockdown her productivity faltered. “I’ve really struggled creatively this year… I didn’t design anything for four months. For me, trying to shut off my brain from COVID-19 news was the biggest challenge, alongside the financial and operational issues. It’s been incredibly hard and expensive.”All of this – as well as the financial toll that COVID-19 has taken on the global economy – means that maximizing productivity has been harder than ever. But Christie says there’s reason for optimism, too. “We have a phenomenal opportunity coming out of COVID-19 to create a ‘business as usual version 2.0,’⁣⁣⁣ ” she says. “There’s an opportunity to reframe right now.”She says that some ways to take control of your time include:<ul><li>Make five- and 10-year plans for your businesses, so you’re clear about your key goals and objectives.</li><li>Consciously try to switch from “reactive mode” to “proactive mode” by focusing on what you want to achieve during your day, not what other people need.</li><li>Identify your most productive working period of the day, and don’t squander it on menial tasks. Otherwise, you’ll end up tackling important tasks when you’re tired, and take twice as long.</li></ul>

The lead-up to Christmas can be a frantic period for most small businesses, but for time management expert Kate Christie, it’s the calm before the storm.

How to take control of your time

<a href="https://www.kathmandu.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kathmandu</a> is a brand that lives and breathes the outdoor ethos. “So it’s been hard to see store teams confined to their houses,” says the general manager of retail stores and operations, Stephen Domancie.

Yet even the most committed homebody would have struggled with the restrictions that many countries have endured over the past few months.&nbsp;In such challenging times, it’s little wonder that mental health providers are struggling to meet the demand. In a November 2020 <a href="https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2020/11/telehealth-survey-summary.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">poll</a>, 74 percent of psychologists said they were seeing more patients with anxiety disorders now than before the pandemic.Supporting employees through difficult times isn’t easy for retailers. There’s a lot to consider – from financial support to well-being and mental health – but the rewards for employers, not to mention employees, are significant, both in terms of productivity and loyalty. <a href="https://slack.com/intl/en-au/blog/collaboration/methods-boosting-employee-morale" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Numerous studies </a>have shown that a positive culture in the workplace contributes to higher levels of productivity – and, of course, there’s the satisfaction gained from doing the right thing.

“The buck stops with us in making sure all our teams are safe and healthy. Nothing is more important.”

At Kathmandu, staff well-being is a priority. “Keeping in touch is one of the most important things right now – not only with the team at the corporate office but also with each other,” says Domancie. The platform Workplace by Facebook has proved essential in connecting staff as they work from home, he says. “We use Workplace by Facebook not only to communicate directly with each of our team members and update them with the necessary information, but also to have some fun, such as sharing sourdough recipes and ideas for activities you can do within a 5-mile radius.”He adds that “the buck stops with all of us in making sure all of our teams are safe and healthy. Nothing is more important.”

<h2>Be mindful of extra pressure</h2>Right now, retailers must balance the requirements of the business with employees’ personal circumstances, says mental health speaker <a href="https://www.mitchwallis.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mitch Wallis</a>, who works with brands like KPMG and Microsoft.Wallis, who founded the global mental health social movement <a href="https://heartonmysleeve.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Heart On My Sleeve</a>, says that retailers need to ensure they’re fulfilling their obligations as an employer by avoiding putting psychological strain on staff. This means accommodating flexible working hours and being compassionate toward their staffers’ personal circumstances.“Employees tell me they would forgo the green smoothies and gym memberships and all those ‘nice to have’ perks in their role if they could simply feel like they could bring their real self to work and have supportive relationships with the manager,” he says.&nbsp;

<h2>Put safeguards in place</h2>This is the perfect time to make staff aware of services that support their health and well-being – whether that’s publicly available resources, such as the <a href="https://nami.org/Home" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">National Alliance on Mental Illness</a>, or dedicated in-house programs.&nbsp;At Fluent Commerce, an order management platform, employees can now access a confidential counseling program via MyCoach and BeneHub. CEO Graham Jackson says that his 80-plus team members are having difficult conversations with retailers every day, and he wanted to make support available.The 24/7 support service enables employees and immediate family members to access mental health counseling, along with strategies to create better work/life balance, guidance on parenting issues and advice on improving fitness and nutrition.&nbsp;

“An external confidential support service can make a huge difference in the lives of your people”

“It’s not expensive to have an external confidential support service in place as an employer, and it can make a huge difference in the lives of your people,” says Jackson, who launched the program in September 2020

<h2>Check in regularly&nbsp;</h2>Clear communication is vital, and Mark Deady of the mental health organization the <a href="http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Black Dog Institute </a>says that the best way to monitor employees’ mental health is to check in regularly. “Make an effort to inquire about how they are doing and if anything is causing them stress.”

“Make an effort to inquire about your staff are doing and if anything is causing them stress.”

Larger organizations may consider an employee survey, but if possible, managers should talk to their team directly about how they’re coping. “It’s extremely normal to feel ill-equipped to help, but it’s important to know that just starting the conversation can go a long way toward helping someone out. Trust your gut when something doesn’t seem right,” says Deady, who advises that simply allowing employees to be heard and showing that you care can be helpful.&nbsp;“If [staff have] been feeling really down for more than two weeks, encourage them to see a health professional. You could say something like, “It might be useful to connect with someone who can support you. I'm happy to help you to find the right person to talk to.”Deady says that a number of organizations have taken up the HeadGear app, and that if employers are unsure how to provide support, they can contact the Black Dog Institute.

<h2>Keep morale high&nbsp;</h2>Psychologist and author <a href="https://merrynsnare.com/welcome41158138" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Merryn Snare</a> says that social connectedness is one of the most important contributors to wellness, yet COVID restrictions have made this very difficult. For all the benefits of working from home – from time saved on a commute to PJs all day – the lack of social contact with colleagues is a problem for many people.&nbsp;One way to maintain morale is to initiate a fun, but psychologically beneficial, activity. “So, retailers might set up a daily challenge or game,” says Snare.&nbsp;&nbsp;For some retailers, this might mean a regular virtual social meeting where staff are encouraged to have some fun. Adore Beauty held a group <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/morriskate_workingfromhome-remotemeetings-activity-6650565673162547200-M_5U" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Macarena dance session</a> at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Financial advisers <a href="https://www.professionalplanner.com.au/2020/09/cycling-with-clients-the-chris-morcom-story/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">have been running</a> online pottery sessions and making pizzas via Zoom while working from home. Other workplaces have been holding virtual pet parades, or holding family lunches, where staff share a virtual lunch and include their children.Simply showing your appreciation can pay off when it comes to morale. Woolworths <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/woolworths-rewards-staff-with-over-50-million-in-shares-gift-cards-20200602-p54yo2.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">rewarded staff</a> with $50 million in shares and gift cards for working so hard during the coronavirus panic-buying period. Others have ordered work-from-home “self-care” gift baskets, containing soups or treats, to show staff their support.&nbsp;It’s also important that, during times of stress, retail staff are empowered to know how to deal with difficult customers. Extra training or providing resources on how to handle challenging scenarios will help maintain staff well-being.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Supporting employees through difficult times isn’t easy for retailers. There’s a lot to consider – from financial support to well-being and mental health.

How to Support Staff in Challenging Times

With nearly 50% of shoppers saying COVID-19 has resulted in them becoming more financially conservative, retailers are looking for new ways to keep customers engaged and active.&nbsp;While large merchants typically turn to promotions or sales to help customers stretch their budgets, 22% of shoppers say special offers and the like get in the way of their savings goals. Increasingly, consumers want merchants to help them spend smart, on their terms. That’s why more shoppers are leaving credit cards behind and gravitating instead toward flexible options such as buy now, pay later (BNPL) options like Afterpay.&nbsp;This is good news for small businesses: While SMBs can’t always offer the deep discounts or rewards perks that big retailers can, they can help their customers spend smart. Here’s how.

<h2>1. Support financial literacy</h2>The most beloved brands offer far more than just products. They add value to their customers’ lives, whether through educational content (such as how to integrate beauty products into a holistic wellness routine), building a community around shared customer interests, or bundling services like personal shopping or customization.As more consumers seek to become financially literate, they’ll expect their favorite brands to help, too. For example, a monthly subscription service might offer price tiers to fit different spending abilities, or explain how their product saves consumers money in the long run, without sacrificing quality or service. A leather goods company might quantify the lifetime price of their product versus cheaper alternatives—helping shoppers both invest in items that last longer, but be more sustainable, too.

<h2>2. Plus-up your offerings</h2>Small retailers are known for their personal touch and enhanced service. Rarely do shoppers get a hand-written note or special extra with their orders from mass merchants. These little touches mean a lot to customers, and are why many small businesses have such devoted followings. They’re a smart investment in earning and retaining customers—and as with any investment, should be maximized.&nbsp;Communicate to customers why shopping small brings them added value, saving them money in the long-term. Coupling a purchase with advice on how to use it, personalized training, VIP service, or other lifestyle perks give your customers added value both in terms of time and money—and that’s something to talk about.

<h2>3. Offer a fairer way to pay</h2>One of the simplest ways to help small business customers manage their finances is to offer them flexibility in payment options. More than 70% of respondents to a recent Afterpay survey said flexibility is important when they make financial decisions. And with 41% saying COVID-19 has made them less likely to use credit cards, and 81% more likely to use BNPL options like Afterpay, this is an ideal time for small businesses to re-evaluate how their customers pay.&nbsp;BNPL allows customers to purchase what they want today, and pay over time without the burden of interest, hidden fees or debt. It’s a fairer way to pay, and is increasingly becoming part of consumers’ smart-spending strategies.

To learn more about how SMBs can offer flexible payment options like Afterpay, reach out to our team by clicking <a href="https://retailers.afterpay.com/merchant-enquiry/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.

SMBs can’t always offer discounts or rewards perks that big retailers can, but they can help their customers spend smart.