Why Every Office Needs a Group Chat (and What It Says About Company Culture)

• Lexi Marco
• November 11, 2025
• Culture
• company culture, team
• 0 Comments

Collaboration. Communication. And a Little Fun.

We’ve all heard the age-old phrase “Teamwork makes the dream work,” and while it may sound cheesy or overused, it’s actually quite true. Most industries require people with diverse personalities and mindsets to work together efficiently and effectively toward a single goal: getting the job done. But what if not everyone is compatible? In reality, not everyone will be, and that’s OK. 

According to a 2023 study, workplace diversity can lead to increased productivity, creativity and problem-solving. It’s important for employers to understand the dynamics of their team in order to foster a productive work environment, ultimately leading to a more prosperous outcome. Company culture makes up the personality of a workplace, and without it, you’re left with a bland or even hostile environment that delays productivity and goal achievement.

So, where’s the best place to start to foster a happy workplace? The group chat. Let’s explain…

It Starts with the Group Chat

While it’s vital to ensure your employees have healthy personal and professional boundaries, something as simple as having a company group chat can make all the difference in camaraderie and connection. A group chat can be hosted right within your email platform (i.e. Google Chat or Microsoft Teams) or through chat apps like GroupMe or Slack. Communication is key with any team, and having one spot where employees can go to give updates, ask questions or share kudos is a great way to improve company culture and productivity. 

How to Use a Group Chat for Employees

Whether your office is playful and conversational or polished and traditional, group chats can play an important role in uniting your team and encouraging consistent communication. Team group chats are an ideal place for shoutouts and employee recognitions that may otherwise go unnoticed

For example: An Account Manager may receive positive feedback from a partner about the efficiency and quality of their new website. Rather than accepting this feedback and moving on, the Account Manager can take those comments and add them to the company group chat, throwing kudos to the appropriate parties. Not only is this a great way to spread positivity, but it can also give team members a confidence boost and the encouragement they need to push themselves even further for next time. 

Here’s a few tips for workplace group chats:

• Set guidelines. While “group chat” sounds informal, employers should be cautious about the casualness of the conversations happening. Make sure employees know proper etiquette and what is not appropriate to be sharing with others.
• Encourage questions. Employees should be given the confidence to ask questions and request feedback from coworkers within the chat.
• Choose an easy-to-use platform. Most email platforms have a built-in chat feature for group communication, however this might not be everyone’s preference on communication. Look into other forms of communication and get feedback from your team on the best ways to communicate in a group setting.
• Set up separate chats. One large group chat with all team members should be the first step, but setting up smaller groups based on teams or departments can also encourage better communication amongst team members.

Teamwork Really Does Make the Dream Work

Does your team have a group chat yet? If so, is it being utilized properly or appropriately? Take a moment to think about how your team can benefit best from a group chat.

Here’s a few examples of how to segment up your communication:

• Professional Updates: Employees put in necessary day-to-day updates or new business ventures.
• General Communication: Employees can ask questions pertaining to operations or other general topics.
• Kudos: Managers and team members can shout out one another on a job well done.
• Lunch Time: If your office is always discussing what’s for lunch, a chat dedicated to lunch talk and pick-up can be a fun way to make sure everyone is involved.
• Brainstorm: Encourage employees to put in any new ideas or request team brainstorm sessions.

Regardless of how you use your group chat, remember the ultimate goal is to generate a positive company culture that encourages each individual to share their voice and connect with other team members. Diversity plays a key role in a successful team— encourage it, foster it and watch it grow. 

You can learn more about the 898 team and our company culture here.