Connecting on a human-to-human level via technology takes at least a little creativity. Since food tends to be a universal connector, why not share a meal with remote work partners in order to enrich your virtual communication? The following are five simple, cost-friendly and imaginative ideas to share a meal between hungry professionals separated by time and space. Additional resources for virtual lunching are listed below.
Idea #1
“I’ll buy you lunch from your favorite local delivery place. Then, let’s meet and eat synchronously via video conference.”
While this may be the least economical option on this list of ideas, it would certainly be a nice treat for the receiving work partner! As location, payment options and budget allow, one work partner purchases lunch for another online or by phone, and has the delivery made directly to their lunch mate. Both meet via video conference with their lunches.
Idea #2
“We will supply the webinar and you supply your lunch—at your own workspace.”
Lunch-and-learn presentations are a time-efficient way to share information with a number of people that may be geographically dispersed. In this case, an organization, work group or individual hosts a webinar during a time around which most participants eat lunch. All bring their lunch to the webinar to share company and conversation during their lunch break.
Idea #3
“Let’s both bring our own lunch to work and eat and talk synchronously via video conference.”
If you don’t step away from your desk for a break during lunch, what about lunching virtually with a work partner from your workspace? Though video conference meetings in some work environments tend to be hosted in more formal and designated spaces, Skype can offer a simple solution at your desk for those with a webcam. Remember to check with your co-workers who might appreciate the courtesy of your wearing earplugs or moving to a designated video conferencing space.
Idea #4
“We’ll send each other food goods via inter-office mail, and sample the treats together during our next video conference meeting.”
“Spice up” your next video conference meeting by sharing snacks! For those with interoffice mail networks across national or international locations, sending dry, packaged sweet or salty snacks to workmates in other locations may be an option.
Idea #5
“We’ll take photos of our team lunch and share them with remote teams.”
Exchange photos of a co-located, lunching team in one location with a team(s) in another location. Sharing team photos with individual remote workers may feel less than inclusive; instead, consider inviting them to a virtual lunch, breakfast or dinner, depending on the time difference.
Let’s work better globally…one meal at a time!
A virtual dining experience can be a high-impact, time and cost-effective way to build Virtual Closeness. As Line Jehle, co-author of the book, Closeness at a Distance, advocates, “Don’t just bridge the distance, but start creating the Virtual Closeness.” Let’s work better globally…one meal at a time!
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