Hey there, game fanatics and go-getters! Savannah here, your favorite Director of Marketing and New Business at Slingshot (and definitely not the only one.) This week, I’m going 1st-person mode to talk to you about one of the most important things I do at Slingshot: running our weekly company standup, where we play games and have fun mid-work day.
You might wonder why someone in my position is talking about standup games? And why does Slingshot take time out of their day to play games? Let me tell you how this short meeting falls on my plate, why our standup is essential, and my top five games and activities.
Hey there, game fanatics and go-getters! Savannah here, your favorite Director of Marketing and New Business at Slingshot (and definitely not the only one.) This week, I’m going 1st-person mode to talk to you about one of the most important things I do at Slingshot: running our weekly company standup, where we play games and have fun mid-work day.
You might wonder why someone in my position is talking about standup games? And why does Slingshot take time out of their day to play games? Let me tell you how this short meeting falls on my plate, why our standup is essential, and my top five games and activities.
Why is This My Job?
I ask that every day: I get to work with a fantastic team, building fantastic products, at a fantastic company. But you were referring to the standup, right? Slingshot is a great workplace because we all care about creating an environment we want to work in. And the best way to make a work culture that works for everyone is to get everyone involved.
For us, internal marketing is just as important as external. If you need to learn what internal marketing is, it’s essentially spreading the word about our goals and the stuff we build to get everyone involved with brand advocacy. And since internal marketing has marketing in it, that job goes to me.
What is the Weekly Slingshot Standup?
A quick refresher if you need it: A standup is a meeting regularly held at the same time, every day or every week. For us, we host our Slingshot Standup weekly just after lunch. This standup has a bit of history, as its original purpose was to get updates on our non-profit bro-bono project with New Roots. Once that app was complete, we transitioned into what it is today.
So, what does the agenda look like? Well, it’s very laid back; there’s only a little structure there. We all start by hopping on the Zoom call and doing what everyone does on video calls: ask how everyone’s doing. Maybe someone started a new hobby, has a cool project update, or wants to discuss the weather. Then we go into updates: I’ll touch on any recent marketing efforts or sales leads, Maria will get all back-office things squared away, and David will touch on project updates and business news.
And then the fun begins. Once all our work stuff is in order, I take the remainder of the meeting (usually 15 to 20 minutes) to do something fun. As long as it’s possible to do it over Zoom, allows for 15+ players, and won’t get me called into HR, it’s fair game! So what do we do exactly? I’m glad you asked.
My Top Five Standup Activities
Let’s dive into the juicy stuff: my top 5 favorite standup games. These are fun things that make us competitive, laugh, and bond.
5. Online Uno
You’re missing out if you haven’t played Uno since elementary school. Nothing makes a group of adults more competitive than games from our childhood. And the most competitive game out there is Uno.
Uno is simple for first-time players and has excellent replay value for old fans. It also gives you a chance to talk about the crazy house rules some people had: stacking multiples, passing hands around, and jumping in; oh my!
Most online Uno games have a max of 4 players, but UnoFreak.com allows for 10 or more (and just so happens to be free, too!) The playful banter and friendly rivalry are fun and help build camaraderie, ensuring that distance or project issues never dampen our spirit.
4. Trivia
Trivia nights and standups are like peanut butter and jelly: a perfect combination! Not only do people love sharing their random knowledge (or guessing correctly), but there are a thousand different topics you can focus on. Company history? Industry knowledge? Pop-culture facts? Whatever theme you need, there’s trivia for it.
And it’s super easy to pull together! Create a presentation, find the trivia questions and answers you want, and add them to the slides. The first slide should be the question, and the second should be the answer. Whoever has the most correct answers (honor system here) wins! No matter the topic, trivia games fuel friendly competition and remind us that learning and fun can coexist.
3. Brain Dump
Sometimes, a good old brain dump session is all it takes to get those creative juices flowing. We, as adults, have a lot going on in our lives, and the best medicine for stress is to let it all out (on paper). But it takes a lot of work to set aside time for something like that; hence, a brain dump is a perfect standup activity!
We set a timer, put on some calming music, and everyone writes down as many thoughts and ideas as possible on a topic. Maybe it’s things you’re thankful for, a list of everything you need to get done this week, or no topic at all. Then, we open the floor to anyone who feels comfortable and wants to share. It’s a nice way to get things off your chest and destress as a group.
2. Pictionary
Ah, Pictionary – the ultimate test of artistic talent and deciphering skills. Now add some UX/UI designers, and it’s a wild time! Not only does this game lead to fits of laughter and questions about how someone could draw so poorly, but it also encourages everyone to get involved and have fun.
There are a lot of awesome Pictionary online games out there, and most are free! When you’re looking for a classic version that lets you add in your own prompts, Drawize is an excellent choice. Gartic Phone has over 15 fun modes you can play if you want a new twist. Sandwich mode (Write, Draw, Write) has caused me to laugh harder than ever in a work meeting.
1. Audience Participation
I’ve saved the best for last! If you’re looking for something to get everyone involved, you must get everyone involved! These games are the secret sauce that takes our weekly stand-ups from ordinary to extraordinary. Why? Because they get everyone invested, engaged, and excited about what’s happening.
We’ve done a lot of these over the years. We guessed whose desk was in the photo, had a show and tell of our favorite knick-nacks, swapped our best-kept recipes, and even went on a choose-your-own-adventure as a group. No matter what you do, if you can get everyone on board, you’ve won.
Conclusion
And there you have it: my fabulous five standup games that bring an extra dose of Big Kid fun into our workweek (and the most straightforward blog I’ve ever written ?). From virtual Uno showdowns to hilarious Pictionary sketches, we’re not just colleagues – we’re a team that knows how to balance work and play like pros.
As we gather weekly in our virtual space, these standup games have become more than just activities; they’re the threads that weave us closer together. We’re not just sharing updates and checking off to-do lists – we’re bonding over fierce competitions that rekindle our childhood spirit.
So, to those who might raise an eyebrow at the notion of games during working hours, I say this: In a world where deadlines and deliverables often dominate our routine, we’ve found a way to infuse joy and a touch of whimsy into our routines. Please take a page from our playbook: Embrace the spirit of playfulness, break away from the monotony, and dare to sprinkle a bit of fun into your workday.
Stay playful, friends! ?♀️
