Virtual Staff Meetings: Reconnecting While we are Apart

Covid-19 has posed many serious challenges to normal business operations, especially for those in the creative, collaborative fields.

A challenging aspect of 2020 has been social distancing from our co-workers, our offices, and our normal routines. Staying home means a disrupted schedule and stopping into the office isn’t a reality for many of us. If we are parents, then we automatically became full-time teachers, cafeteria workers and crisis managers, juggling learning schedules, lunch breaks, and work-related deadlines. Seriously, how many times have we had our own “quarantined co-workers” (spouses, children, and the occasional dog or cat) “helpfully” join our client meetings to provide their opinions? The lines between work and home are blurred and we have to remember to find ways for self-care and manage these new sources of stress.

It’s been tough; however, we look forward to getting back together as creative professionals. Collaboration is the hallmark of the architectural field and it would be nice to see people again. TDA has been open throughout the pandemic as an essential business, and projects continue to move forward on schedule through the use of technology including video conference meetings with clients, contractors, and co-workers. Recently, we are seeing more of our staff coming back into the office to gather work, prepare for meetings, and to just check in.

The virtual staff meetings in which we’ve been engaging have been tremendously helpful to stay connected with our team of over 50 professionals in Northeast, Ohio, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. These forums provide updates from the partners, allow us to meet new hires, and learn about what projects are on the horizon. Also, sometimes it provides us with shared good humor and the occasional webcam hijinks (–careful, the mics are hot!)

We are characterized by "Good people doing great things!" and recognize it is more important than ever to stay connected.

ThenDesign Architecture

With some staff coming in on a rotating basis, we also have around 15-20 members of our team working in the office regularly. To support a safe and productive culture, we’ve now adopted a “hybrid work model” allowing our architects, interior designers, and support staff to work remotely when possible and come into the office as needed. This allows us to remain dedicated to supporting our clients and current projects, and to remain supportive of each other. Additionally, we perform “temperature checks” using an infrared forehead thermometer when staff and visitors enter the building, and once inside, everyone wears a mask when interacting within 6 feet of contact. (Remember to smile with your eyes, otherwise, we look angry all the time!) We continue to practice thorough handwashing throughout the day, wipe down workspaces at the end of the day, and the offices are sanitized regularly. We are determined to keep these measures in place as long as they are needed, ensuring everyone is healthy and safe as we move forward as a creative team.

TDA continues to be a firm of “Good People Doing Great Things!” and we’re using our “What If” mindset to do so in the safest possible way in this health-challenged environment.