😏 steal these culture hacks

(your team will thank you)

Hey, hey , At my old company, the marketing team was tight—like "help a coworker survive a happy hour gone wrong" tight. Nothing bonds a team like holding someone's hair back over a bar bathroom toilet. (Also, reminder: never overdo it at team happy hours...ever.)   In all seriousness though, that closeness made us better at our jobs. We had each other's backs, and we worked harder because we actually cared about each other. That kind of team culture doesn't just happen—you have to build it. Here are a few ways we've made The Assist team feel more connected: 🎁 Give Your Team Cool Stuff (Because They Deserve It) I never realized how much people loved swag until I was the one in charge of it at my last job. People came out of the woodwork begging for company-branded socks or the latest new hire backpack. And it wasn't just employees—clients (and even potential clients) got way too excited over a well-curated swag bag. Turns out, a little thoughtfulness goes a long way. Tips: Personal > Generic – A branded mug is fine. A gift that actually matches their interests? Way better. Surprise & delight – Unexpected gifts hit differently. Don't just wait for work anniversaries. Make it easy – Platforms exist so you're not scrambling last-minute—use them. 📌 Our recos: For physical gifts: swag.com – For custom, high-quality company swag that doesn't suck. 🔄 Alternatives: Goody – Lets you send thoughtful gifts without needing their address. Stadium – A digital gifting platform that makes team rewards seamless and personalized. Simpalo – Send snack boxes packed with delicious, high-quality treats—because everyone loves a good snack break. 💬 Tell Your Team They're Awesome People don't just want to be paid for their work—they want to feel seen and valued. A little recognition goes a long way in keeping morale high and preventing burnout. Our team loves to celebrate wins big and small. Whether it's a shoutout in Slack, a surprise gift, or just a simple "Hey, you crushed that"—we make sure people know their work matters. Tips: Make it public – Private praise is great, but public recognition boosts team morale. Call out great work in team meetings, Slack, or email updates. Be specific – "Great job" is nice, but why was it great? Point out exactly what they did well so they can keep doing it. Mix it up – Some people love the spotlight; others appreciate a thoughtful note or small gift. Get to know what makes your team feel appreciated. 📌 Our reco: Slack – We like to shout out teammates and celebrate victories—big or small—in various channels (usually accompanied by a tasteful meme or gif). 🔄 Alternatives: Stadium – A modern way to build a culture of appreciation with social-style recognition and rewards. 🎉 Make Team Bonding a Thing It's easy to get caught up in deadlines and to-dos, but the best teams don't just work together—they actually like each other. Even though we're fully remote, we still make time for fun because those small moments of connection build trust, collaboration, and morale. Case in point: Every Mon, our team kicks off the week with a game of GeoGuessr—aka, wildly guessing random locations on Google Maps and battling other teams. Work-related? Not at all. But it gets us laughing, talking, and fired up for the week ahead (we are very competitive). Make it low-lift – Team bonding shouldn't feel like another meeting. Keep it light, fun, and optional. Mix it up – Virtual escape rooms, trivia, book clubs—there's more to bonding than happy hours. Keep it inclusive – Not everyone drinks or wants to join a game night. Give options that work for different personalities. 📌 Our reco: Confetti – A ton of virtual and in-person team experiences, from cooking classes to games. 🔄 Alternative: Donut – A Slack integration that randomly pairs teammates for virtual coffee chats.   👥 Make 1:1s a Safe Space A good 1:1 isn't just a glorified status update—it's a chance to actually check in on your team as people. I had a direct report whose work started slipping, which was totally out of character. In our 1:1, she opened up about suddenly becoming a caretaker for two family members, and the stress was unreal. That convo gave us the chance to create a plan that actually supported her instead of adding to the overwhelm. Tips: Make it consistent – If you only meet when things go wrong, that's a problem. Set a recurring time (weekly, biweekly—whatever works) and stick to it. Track takeaways – If you're having the same conversation every week with no progress, what's the point? Keep a record of discussions, action items, and goals so you can actually move things forward. Listen beyond work updates – Sometimes, what's not being said is just as important. Pay attention to shifts in tone, performance, energy, or engagement—it could be a sign they need extra support. 📌 Our reco: Fellow – Sends AI summaries, plus it keeps notes, action items, and past convos all in one place so follow-ups don't get lost. 🔄 Alternative: Google Meet or Microsoft Teams – Both let you record meetings for easy reference, so nothing gets lost in the shuffle. 💬 Get Real Feedback (Without the Awkwardness) Not everyone is comfortable giving unfiltered feedback directly—especially if it's about leadership. That's why anonymous surveys are key. They give your team a space to be honest without fear of consequences. Tips: Ask better questions – Instead of "How's everything going?" (vague), try "What's one thing that would make your workday easier?" (uncovers pain points). Follow up on feedback – If people take the time to respond, show them it actually leads to change. Otherwise, why would they bother next time? Keep it short & sweet – No one wants to fill out a 20-question survey. Make it quick, relevant, and easy to complete. 📌 Our choice: Typeform – engaging, useful data insights, lots of integrations, and has a free plan. 🔄 Alternative: Zoho Forms – Great for more structured reporting & automation. Creating a culture where people feel seen, valued, and heard takes work—but when you get it right, the payoff is a team that's not just engaged, but all in. ✅ Coming Up Next You can't pour from an empty cup—so next up, we're talking about how to take care of yourself. I'll spill the tea on rage-quitting a job once, the stress that followed, and what finally got me to prioritize my own mental health (spoiler: therapy was a game-changer). Talk soon, —Joanna P.S. Join our private community: The A-List Alliance on Slack! 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