Benefits of Coffee Chats
Since 2019, we have seen a complete reversal of the typical U.S. work environment. According to a February 2023 report from Gallup, six in 10 employees in the U.S. with remote-capable jobs want a hybrid work arrangement; one-third prefer fully remote work, and less than 10% prefer to work on-site exclusively. Since the pandemic, work locations for more than half of the employees in the U.S. included the preference for a hybrid situation (60%), with 33% preferring to work completely remotely. This is a large shift from 2019, pre-pandemic time when only 32% of U.S. workers were in a hybrid work situation, and 60% were working only on-site.
Our Story
Ngage Management, a full-service association management company, has adapted to these preferences, with more than half our staff working fully remotely in 10 states, and the others working in a hybrid situation. While communication tools like Teams and Zoom allowed for continued collaboration among team members, we saw a need to address office culture with this new remote and hybrid environment.
Our Culture Crew, a group of volunteer employees, developed the idea of Coffee Chats at the end of 2022. Established as a 15-to-30-minute chat between two co-workers, #TeamNgage embraced this opportunity to get to know each other face-to-face or virtually. To roll this project out, the Crew paired employees up randomly, beginning with those who might not work together on a regular basis. The result was a great success, with employees sharing photos of the chats and expressing their enjoyment of building relationships with coworkers, both in the office and virtually. (add photos)
Value Of Coffee Chats
These one-on-ones have improved Ngage employees’ professional relationships and created better work environments. Employees are more engaged due to the opportunities to openly share experiences with someone they don't know very well in an informal setting. This has resulted in more team collaboration, fewer barriers to communication, and more productivity for the company. There are real benefits to open lines of communication among colleagues and teams.
New Ideas
At times, these monthly chats have resulted in company-wide ideas and new initiatives. In finding mutual interests between colleagues, they might form a new internal group or set up volunteer opportunities in their respective communities to support a cause they both care about.
Reduced Intimidation
Because all Ngage team members participate in our Coffee Chats, we have created a level playing field with less emphasis on the social hierarchy. For example, our CEO and Founder, Tobi Lyons, has held coffee chats with several employees over the last few months, providing opportunities for her to get to know the staff better and they get to know her in a less formal environment. An avid dog lover, Tobi has found kindred spirits in other employees who have a similar affection for their fur babies.
Getting Started
At #TeamNgage, we have found the random pairing of individuals along with a months-long timeframe to schedule and hold the coffee chats has worked well. Although we suggested 15 minutes, most chats last longer, closer to 30 or 40 minutes.
To help get employees to get conversations started, we suggested they discuss their role at Ngage, client(s) they work with, and what attracted them to the company. Other topics include hobbies they have, any upcoming trips they are looking forward to, and questions about where they grew up, went to school, etc.
The bottom line is a coffee chat between co-workers should be a low-pressure, easy way to get to know one another. It’s not a job interview but a chance for you to learn more about a team member and begin to build a relationship. In the end, connections with each other make company culture better for all employees.
