Jeremy Ong is Director, People and Culture at Clearly, a Canadian eyewear retailer. Last year, his staff loved the opportunity to participate in pulling a full-size FedEx 757 cargo plane across the tarmac. When COVID caused a switch to a virtual event, Ong wasn’t sure how his team would react. However, with a committed group of eight, they forged on—and ended up having a fantastic time. “All of us who attended were pleasantly surprised by how engaging it was,” he says.
Don’t Miss the Best Zoom Party of the Year
As we gear up for our December 1st Virtual Plane Pull for Sight, we touched base with one of our team captains from September’s event to find out why his team had so much fun participating in this one-of-a-kind virtual experience.
The Clearly team participating in the Virtual Plane Pull for Sight on September 12, 2020
Developed in collaboration with Teambonders, the Orbis Virtual Plane Pull for Sight combines live, interactive team building games and trivia with a simulated flight aboard the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital. At the September edition, teams got creative with themed Zoom backgrounds, group lip sync videos and lots of spirited debates about the answers to trivia questions.
The feedback from the autumn event was overwhelmingly positive. Participants raved about how much fun they had and how this event would make a great option for a holiday party or team celebration when in-person events aren’t possible. That’s why Orbis Canada scheduled our December event just in time for the holidays.
Jeremy Ong
Director, People and Culture, Clearly
“I liked how it was facilitated. it really encouraged participation. Like calling on specific people from different teams to share their answers or their response. And giving out bonus points to people who were dancing, or who had a special outfit on, or had a cool background. I think all those small little actions really encourage participation.”
“This is a really good way for teams and companies to come together, laugh, be a little silly and do it all in support of an organization that’s making a difference worldwide,” says Alex Krievins, National Director, Development & Communications for Orbis Canada. “We’re even hosting the event on #GivingTuesday, so participants can feel good about making a difference while they’re having so much fun.”
Gallery: Team Clearly participating in the 2019 Plane Pull for Sight
For Ong, the Orbis mission aligns directly with that of Clearly. The company’s mission is to eradicate poor vision, which they are helping to do by donating a pair of glasses to a person in need with every pair purchased. “Our motto is improving lives by improving sight,” he says. “What Orbis is doing is very much in line with what we are trying to achieve in terms of our mission.”
And the Clearly team will likely be back on board for future virtual events. The staff members who participated were happy to share their positive experience with colleagues, and while everyone hopes to be pulling an actual plane again in 2021, Ong thinks that, whether virtual or not, Team Clearly will return with a bigger team and a fierce competitive spirit.
Don’t miss out on our December Virtual Plane Pull for Sight!
Learn how you and your team can depart on our next fun-filled "flight"!
