‘Light at the end of the tunnel’: Inside one digital agency’s attempt to keep company culture intact in the midst of a pandemic

So it’s a company-sponsored trip to meet coworkers. What are the requirements to go and where does budget come from to sponsor it?

It’s really open to anyone at any level. We really want to make sure that we get a diverse group going from different divisions at all different levels from all different places across the country. The only requirement is that it’s someone that you work closely with, but you’ve never met in person. We’re going to ask them about what they want to do [upon arrival]. Some might be pairs that are working on a similar customer. We can fly them in together to discuss that customer, have lunch, have happy hour and do some productive work. If it’s more of a mentor-mentee relationship, that day may look a little bit different. I think what we’re going to do is really customize the day to meet the needs of those individuals so they can really maximize their time. 

I put around $50,000 aside in the budget for these trips so that we can send as many people as possible and all of that will be paid for by the company. We have a pretty robust culture and employee experience budget as it is.

With the rise in concern around the delta variant, has thinking around this initiative changed at all?

Right now, our current thinking is to continue the initiative. And again, it’s all voluntary. So if someone were to say, ‘Hey, I really appreciate that I was picked for this. But based off of what’s going on, I just need to postpone, or I’m just not comfortable.’ That’s OK as well. But as long as you’re vaccinated, as long as you’re comfortable, we’re going to do everything in our power to make that happen and make sure that happens in a safe and effective manner.

What was in place prior to the pandemic?

Our last retreat was in the fall of 2019. We have regional retreats across the country in three different locations, so that was the last time that we were really able to get together.

What can the rest of the industry be doing to uplift employees in uncertain times?

[This initiative is] going to go a long way for our culture and that comes out not only in our teaming, but also the results we get for our clients when we’re connected in that way. I think the heart of it is what works for your employees and how do your employees want to connect? What would be the most meaningful way to do that? That’s really where the focus is — listening to them, relating to them and then knowing how to react and to support them during this time. I know we’re not fully out of the pandemic yet, but this is kind of that light at the end of the tunnel.