Explore Flywheel Software’s transition from quarterly virtual hackathons to weekly Gather meetings, and gain insights for onboarding to a virtual office.

Introduction

In the evolving landscape of remote work, maintaining team cohesion and fostering innovation can be challenging. Flywheel Software, a remote-first company specializing in a no-code data activation platform, has navigated these challenges successfully through strategic use of virtual hackathons and Gather meetings. This case study delves into Flywheel Software’s journey, highlighting their shift from quarterly virtual hackathons to more frequent Gather-based interactions, offering valuable lessons for organizations aiming to enhance their virtual office environments.

The Beginning: Quarterly Virtual Hackathons

Flywheel Software initiated their journey with quarterly virtual hackathons using Gather, a platform designed to simulate a virtual office environment. These hackathons served as a break from daily routines, encouraging creativity and collaboration among the 50-strong remote team.

Benefits of Quarterly Virtual Hackathons

Innovation Boost: Participants worked on diverse projects, ranging from whimsical AI-generated art to practical product features utilized by clients.
Team Building: The hackathons paused regular meetings, allowing team members to focus solely on collaborative projects, strengthening team bonds.
Skill Enhancement: Developers honed their coding skills and explored new technologies in a competitive yet supportive setting.

Nolan Kruse, Flywheel’s Senior Solutions Architect, transformed their Gather Space during these hackathons, laying the foundation for a more engaging virtual workspace.

Transition to Weekly Gather Meetings

Building on the success of their hackathons, Flywheel Software expanded their use of Gather to include weekly Gather meetings, known as “World’s Fair.” These meetings incorporated elements that fostered a sense of community and continuity.

Enhancing Team Interaction

Interactive Presentations: Leadership and team members present updates and feature demos in an engaging format, utilizing Gather’s spatial audio and video to facilitate dynamic interactions.
Fun Elements: Features like confetti, applause sounds, and interactive objects create a lively and unique meeting atmosphere.
Dedicated Spaces: Custom areas within Gather, such as cafeterias, coffee shops, and game rooms, provide venues for casual interactions and decompression.

Increased Engagement and Productivity

Weekly meetings replaced standard virtual meetings, offering a more immersive experience that kept team members engaged and motivated. The regularity of these interactions helped maintain momentum and fostered a consistent team culture.

Lessons from Flywheel Software’s Journey

Flywheel Software’s experience underscores several key strategies for successful virtual team management:

Embrace Fun and Flexibility

Incorporating playful elements into virtual meetings can significantly enhance engagement and make interactions more enjoyable.

Customize Your Virtual Space

Tailoring the virtual office environment to meet the specific needs and preferences of the team can create a more comfortable and productive workspace.

Foster Regular Interaction

Frequent, structured interactions help maintain team cohesion and ensure that everyone stays connected and aligned with company goals.

Invest in the Right Tools

Selecting platforms like Gather that offer rich interactive features can make virtual meetings more effective and enjoyable compared to traditional video conferencing tools.

How CodeCatalyst Can Enhance Your Virtual Hackathons

While Flywheel Software has effectively used Gather for their virtual interactions, platforms like CodeCatalyst can further elevate your hackathon experiences. CodeCatalyst provides a robust framework for hosting hackathons that cater to diverse skill sets, offering substantial prizes, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

CodeCatalyst vs. Gather

Feature	Gather	CodeCatalyst
Virtual Office	Highly customizable spaces	Focused on hackathons and competitions
Hackathon Support	Basic support through virtual meetings	Comprehensive hackathon management
Networking	Interactive spaces for casual chats	Dedicated networking and mentorship
Job Opportunities	Limited to informal interactions	Integrated job board for talent scouting

CodeCatalyst addresses some of Gather’s limitations by providing a specialized environment for hackathons, complete with tools for team formation, project showcasing, and direct connections to potential employers. This makes CodeCatalyst an ideal complement to Gather’s virtual office capabilities, ensuring that your team remains innovative and connected.

Conclusion

Flywheel Software’s transition from quarterly virtual hackathons to weekly Gather meetings exemplifies how strategic use of virtual platforms can enhance team collaboration and innovation in a remote-first environment. By embracing fun, customizing virtual spaces, and fostering regular interactions, Flywheel Software has created a vibrant and productive virtual workplace.

Ready to elevate your virtual hackathons and team meetings? Find out how CodeCatalyst can help you build a thriving developer community and bridge the gap between talent and opportunity.