Event Marketer September 2021 - 26

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You don't have to be back in the o ce to foster a strong company culture.
Five fresh ways to engage your employees inside and outside the o ce
With employee meetings, sales conferences and local teambuilding experiences on pause, company cultures have
taken a hit during the pandemic. As employers know, company culture isn't just about boosting morale and motivation
among employees-it's something that can impact productivity, retention and the overall  nancial health of the
business. And in a talent-starved post-pandemic economy-it's more critical than ever to recruiting new employees.
Ready for some good news? Your workforce doesn't have to be back in the o ce to experience the bene ts of a boost
in company culture. We recently sat down with SongDivision Founder Andy Sharpe to discuss employee engagement
strategies for the post-pandemic era. SongDivision has been engaging live audiences for more than 18 years through
interactive songwriting experiences featuring some of the world's best musicians. In 2020, SongDivision pivoted into
vi ual, and today, they are o ering an entirely new approach to boosting engagement among employees and bringing
that all impo ant corporate culture back-in black. (We had to say it.)
Your people are your greatest asset. Crank up your favorite tunes and read on for impo ant insights on how to win
'em-and keep 'em-through the power of music.
Andy Sharpe
Founder & CEO
SongDivision
Event Marketer: After a long hiatus from their offi ce
cultures, many employees are feeling disconnected.
What can companies do to engage their remote
workforce?
Andy Sharpe: The most important thing companies
can do is encourage a culture of real human
connection. Team members need to make time
for real conversations-on the phone or via Zoom,
but not via text or email. Without physical spaces
enabling us to bump into each other from time to
time, we have to be conscious of creating random
interactions. The goal with these interactions is to
get past the actual projects everyone is working
on and have a proper chat! Conversations are the
bedrock of relationships, and relationships are what
create an engaged workforce.
TIP #1
Managers Must
Take the Lead
" Managers play a key role in establishing culture
by reaching out to their teams regularly through
scheduled one-on-ones and encouraging their
people to fu her connect, " says Sharpe.
EM: How do those same ideas apply to those who
are coming back to the offi ce for the fi rst time?
AS: Relationship-building isn't just important in a
remote or hybrid world. As people return to the offi ce,
it should remain a top priority for companies looking
to establish an engaged, connected culture. Expect
a readjustment period for returning employees, and
be patient-it takes time to establish routines and
get comfortable with the environment, and your
people may naturally feel less social at the onset.
TIP #2 Ice Breakers are Key
" At the sta of many SongDivision team building
sessions, we get people to share their  rst conce
and another 'fun fact' that their teammates
wouldn't know about them, " Sharpe says. " Even this
small piece of new information can break the ice and
lead to longer conversations over time. The stronger
the relationships, the stronger the culture. "
EM: For event marketers who plan internal events,
how can music play a role in boosting morale and
inspiring employees?
26
EVENT MARKETER SEPT 2021
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Event Marketer September 2021

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