and if you became a corporate ambianceur

We found the dream job: virtual afterwork manager. To finally break the depression of eternal virtual meetings.

Since the coronavirus crisis, a lot of funny things have gone missing. Temporarily we hope so. Many people regret bar atmospheres. And in companies, this is no exception: where to meet for a drink after work?
Fortunately, humans are creative in the face of this crisis. This is how some people make the bar come to your home! Say hello to the incredible role of teleambiancer! We interviewed Renaud Seligmann, co-creator of the concept, to tell us about this dream job. Where did this funny idea come from?

Say hello to Georges Brasserie and Brigitte Bordeaux

Ambianceur in video, is it not going the head? Let's talk rather about "carrier of user-friendliness in videoconference". All of this comes from a real place, the Social Bar, which exists in Paris and Strasbourg. These places made so that people who do not know each other come to talk to each other were co-founded by Renaud and his co-bosses. Thanks to games, small icebreakers and the warmth of the tenants, the magic takes hold every evening and people meet.
These user-friendly laboratories, as they are named by the hundred or so copatron.ne.s, were then exported to businesses. Always with the same unique mix of games and rituals to set the mood and avoid being alone with a glass of champagne in your hand. And then, in March 2019, bang! Covid. Closing of bars, end of physical events. Hello Skype, Meet, Teams and other remote meeting tools.
Problem: "videoconferencing meetings and afterwork are often cacophonous, boring, cold" notes Renaud; from there was born this fun profession of bearer of virtual conviviality.
"We serve fake beers and real entertainment. We have virtual tenants with a virtual bar decor. Rituals of conviviality are offered as at the Social Bar, with lots of invented games that change every ten minutes because the key to video is to capture people's attention! We do that in small groups and in plenary, so that everyone can see and talk to each other " explains Renaud. So a clever way to create a link from a distance.

Ok this is great, but what should we do and where do we apply?

Renaud specifies the qualities to have to be a good videoconference ambianceur: a sense of repartee and improvisation, of fantasy, because the carriers of conviviality often play invented characters like Georges Brasserie, Brigitte Bordeaux or Paméla Enpersonne, with each a role. A little extraversion, enthusiasm and above all "wanting people to have a good time!"

Some tips given by Renaud to warm up and cheer up the participants of a virtual meeting: "start by suggesting that everyone say hello in a hyper cacophonous way and in several languages", which relaxes the atmosphere quite a bit. Another secret boot? Virtual Social Bar reunions begin with a time of singing Happy Almost Birthday to someone on the team whose birthday is closest. Good excuse to eat cake in a meeting.
Does the idea appeal to you? You can contact the Social Bar to join them, or invite them to your next meeting.
While waiting to be able to see your colleagues in person to drink real beers!

Mathilde Wattecamps

Missions: Graduated in political science, Mathilde is an expert in subjects related to women's rights and health. Addicted to Instagram and Twitter, never stingy with a good …