It is becoming obvious in the world of  work that without a healthy and collaborative company culture, you are bound to experience, inefficiencies, and toxic relationships. These are things that no company wants, but it takes planning, strategy and concentrated effort to establish something different. Whether your teams are on site, remote, or a blend of both, it's time to start thinking about how to build connections together.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways that you can build healthy communication – and have some fun – to develop a healthy workplace culture. Coeur de Xocolat lists a few ideas to get you started below!

Try New Team-Building Activities

One of the best ways to reconnect with your team is to invest in some team-building activities. These can be anything from group cooking classes, chocolate safris to a treasure hunt.

The important thing is that they're accessible, fun and that they give everyone on the team a chance to bond with one another.

For example, you could set up a chocolate-based team building event at Coeur de Xocolat where you work together to create a delicious chocolate bar! Who can be cross at a coworker while crafting chocolate delicacies? Try to plan activities that reflect your team’s interest. Planning a hiking trip, playing board games, beer and chocolate pairings chocolate tasting, and starting a quiz league are some other ideas worth trying.

Team-building activities can inject energy and excitement into the workplace and help everyone remember why they enjoy working together. Take time to brainstorm a few ideas that would be fun for your team, and then get planning!

Start a Company Book Club

If you want to encourage your team to bond over their love of learning, start a company book club! This is a fantastic way to get everyone reading (even though they're uber-busy), and it can be done virtually or in person.

If you go the virtual route, try using a platform like Goodreads to set up a reading list and discussion board. That way, people can read at their own pace and chime in when they're finished. If you opt for an in-person book club, be sure to choose a location that's comfortable for everyone. A coffee shop or library would be ideal.

Reassess Your Communication

Another way to reconnect with your team is to simply focus on healthy communication practices. Polly suggests that you check in with each team member regularly, either through one-on-one or group meetings, and ensure everyone feels like their voices are being heard. But be very careful that these check ins don’t turn into micromanagement, which is the exact opposite of what you’re trying to develop.

Check-ins are especially important if you have employees who are working remotely. Don't let them feel like they're being left out of the loop. Make an effort to include them in all major decisions and keep them updated on what's happening with the company.

Equip Your Team

Don’t underestimate the importance of communication tools to help your on site and remote teams feel connected. Luckily, there are plenty of tools out there that can help us do just that. College Info Geek suggests using team chat apps like Slack and Zoom to keep everyone on the same page and foster company culture. In addition, project management software like Asana and Trello can help us stay organized, and email still remains a powerful communication tool.

The key is to find the right tools for you and your team and to use them effectively. Don't be afraid to experiment until you find what works best for you.

Don't Shun the Tried-and-True

Finally, don't forget about the little things. Things like company lunches, happy hours, or even just saying thank you can go a long way toward making your team feel appreciated. Simple gestures like these show that you care about your team members as people, not just as cogs in a machine, and that will go a long way toward rebuilding strong relationships post-Covid.

Find Your Work and Play Balance

There’s something to be said for avoiding the “all work and no play” adage. Instead, help your teams to blend the two in order to help everyone connect.

You’ll find that your work culture soars and so does productivity. Investing in team-building activities, focusing on communication, ensuring everyone has the right tools and showing appreciation can help you to build a strong team culture that will keep everyone happy and engaged long term.