Finding Harmony in the Virtual Workspace: How Beatboxing Energised ServiceNow’s Global Team

In a world where remote collaboration is quickly becoming the norm, finding effective and engaging ways to bring dispersed teams together has never been more important. From virtual coffee breaks to online escape rooms, businesses and organisations worldwide are exploring innovative solutions to keep their teams motivated, connected, and, most importantly, happy. In November, ServiceNow took a bold step away from the conventional, opting for a beatboxing workshop led by renowned facilitator Danny Ladwa. The result? A spirited session of music-making, laughter, and camaraderie that left participants beaming from beginning to end.

In this blog post, we will delve into the details of this online team-building session, explore the art of beatboxing itself, discuss who ServiceNow are and what they do, and break down some key benefits of introducing beatboxing to your own team. By the end, you might just find yourself tapping into your inner rhythm and realising that even the most far-flung team can be brought together through the power of music and human connection.

Before diving into the details of the beatboxing session, it’s worth taking a moment to understand ServiceNow as a company. Renowned for its innovative, cloud-based platform, ServiceNow enables organisations worldwide to streamline and automate their digital workflows. Whether it’s optimising IT operations or enhancing customer experiences, ServiceNow’s versatile solutions help businesses save time, reduce costs, and foster collaboration across teams.

With a global footprint spanning multiple industries and regions, ServiceNow’s client base ranges from small enterprises to large multinational corporations. Their commitment to driving digital transformation and productivity has earned them a reputation as a leader in workflow automation. Alongside a deep focus on technology, ServiceNow invests in initiatives that build a strong sense of community among its employees—something that was clearly demonstrated when they embraced the creative, unifying art of beatboxing for a unique team-building experience.

Beatboxing is the art of producing drum beats, rhythms, and musical sounds using nothing but the human mouth, lips, tongue, and voice. It’s often associated with hip-hop culture, but in recent years, it has gained widespread appeal, thanks to viral videos, international competitions, and pop culture references. While beatboxing might look (and sound) complex, everyone can produce basic rhythmic patterns with a bit of guidance and practice.

For a remote team-building session, beatboxing has several advantages:

These qualities made it the perfect choice for ServiceNow, who wanted an activity that would make their global team feel more cohesive, energised, and inspired.

The session was led by Danny Ladwa, founder and lead facilitator at School Of Beatbox an internationally acclaimed beatboxer and vocal artist who has dedicated years to perfecting his craft. Beyond his musical accomplishments, Danny has established himself as a first-class facilitator, known for his warm, encouraging approach and his ability to make even the most reluctant participants comfortable in trying something new.

Danny has worked with countless corporate and community groups, guiding them through basic beatbox techniques and showing them how to create impressive rhythms in a remarkably short amount of time. Whether in person or online, Danny’s presence and enthusiasm are infectious, helping teams let their guard down, immerse themselves in the experience, and—most importantly—have fun.

The session took place in November, with ServiceNow Education Services’ team members joining from across different time zones. Despite the geographic spread, the atmosphere from the outset was one of friendly anticipation.

Danny kicked things off with a warm welcome, putting everyone at ease by explaining that no previous musical experience was necessary. He introduced himself and briefly outlined the session’s objectives: to learn the basics of beatboxing, enjoy a collective music-making experience, and above all, have a great time. The chatbox quickly lit up with greetings and emojis—an early sign of the enthusiasm to come.

Then came the first lesson. Danny explained that at the core of beatboxing are three fundamental sounds: the kick drum (often transcribed as a “B” sound), the hi-hat (a “T” or “Ts” sound), and the snare drum (“PF”). He guided the participants through each sound carefully, encouraging them to practise with their microphones turned on so they could hear each other.

It might sound simple on paper, but for many, it was a revelation—realising how you could mimic drum patterns with your mouth. Even those who were shy at first found themselves getting bolder as the session went on. A few minutes later, the virtual meeting room was abuzz with “B-T-K” variations, echoing from different corners of the world.

Once everyone felt comfortable with the basics, Danny introduced a more advanced rhythm inspired by drum and bass. The idea was to layer quick-fire vocal sounds in a way that mimicked the high-energy beats of this genre. Here’s the fun, step-by-step process he used to get everyone grooving:

By focusing on wordplay, breaking down core sounds, and gradually building up speed and layers, the ServiceNow team found themselves mastering a high-octane drum and bass rhythm in no time.

The session culminated in a final piece performed by Danny —an on-the-spot improvisation that showcased what he has learned after over 30 years of beatboxing. The energy was palpable, and the chat room was filled with clapping emojis, “wow” reactions, and lots of excited chatter.

The real measure of any team-building activity lies in its aftermath. According to Regina Skeete, one of the participants, the workshop was a resounding success:

Many echoed Regina’s sentiment, mentioning how refreshing it was to attend a session that broke from the standard mould of corporate online gatherings. They noted how beatboxing turned out to be the perfect vehicle for creativity, collaboration, and, perhaps most importantly, laughter.

Participants also appreciated how the workshop catered to a range of confidence levels. Those who considered themselves non-musical or introverted felt supported and included, while the more outgoing or musically inclined individuals could push their skills further. This inclusive nature spoke to the power of beatboxing as a unifying force—no one was left out, and everyone had a role to play.

While the ServiceNow beatboxing session was all about fun, there are deeper reasons why this type of activity can be hugely beneficial for any workplace. Here are some of the key takeaways:

When you’re creating music together, you have to trust your colleagues to keep their parts on time and in harmony with yours. This sense of interdependence fosters teamwork and can strengthen relationships. Whether you’re synchronising hi-hats or coordinating on a project deliverable, trust is central to success.

Beatboxing demands active listening. You need to pay attention to subtle rhythmic patterns, volume levels, and timing cues, especially in an online environment where latency issues can arise. By encouraging people to really listen to one another, beatboxing teaches communication skills that carry over into day-to-day work—like being fully present in a meeting or considering other viewpoints more carefully.

Let’s face it: Making unusual sounds in front of colleagues can feel a bit silly at first. Yet this very silliness is what makes it such a powerful confidence booster. Stepping out of your comfort zone and succeeding—whether by delivering a brief solo or just managing to keep a beat—can bolster your self-esteem. This newfound confidence can then translate into more assertive participation in work-related contexts.

Let’s face it: Making unusual sounds in front of colleagues can feel a bit silly at first. Yet this very silliness is what makes it such a powerful confidence booster. Stepping out of your comfort zone and succeeding—whether by delivering a brief solo or just managing to keep a beat—can bolster your self-esteem. This newfound confidence can then translate into more assertive participation in work-related contexts.

Beatboxing is essentially about problem-solving in a creative manner: How do you replicate a drum set with just your mouth? How do you turn a simple beat into something more interesting? Such skills are invaluable in today’s innovative business environments, where fresh ideas and the ability to think “outside the box” can set a company apart.

Music has long been associated with reducing stress and promoting relaxation. The act of beatboxing forces you to focus on the present moment—on breath control, mouth movements, and the collective sound. This mindful aspect can serve as a much-needed mental break from the rigours of daily work, leaving participants feeling refreshed and reinvigorated.

Unlike many team sports or complex skill-based activities, beatboxing is inherently inclusive. There’s no need for expensive equipment, large physical spaces, or advanced training. Everyone starts on an equal footing, and progress is limited only by each individual’s willingness to try. This inclusivity can boost team morale, ensuring no one feels left behind.

An engaging, laughter-filled session such as this can have ripple effects on team dynamics that extend well beyond the duration of the event. For one, it provides a memorable shared experience that colleagues can reference, joke about, and bond over in future interactions. These shared experiences are vital in remote teams, where watercooler chats and casual lunches aren’t always possible.

Moreover, when team members see each other in a creative, playful light, it challenges them to re-evaluate their preconceived notions and interpersonal barriers. The next time they collaborate on a project, they might remember how well they synchronised a beat, which can foster mutual respect and smoother communication. Even in conflict situations, the memory of working together harmoniously can help diffuse tension and encourage more empathetic resolutions.

If the pandemic and the shift to remote work have taught us anything, it’s that online team-building activities are not only here to stay but are also constantly evolving. Virtual sessions—whether they involve cooking classes, escape rooms, quizzes, or creative pursuits like beatboxing—have become invaluable tools for maintaining a sense of community.

As technology improves, we can expect these sessions to become even more immersive. High-quality audio and low-latency streaming are already making it feasible for large groups to enjoy near-seamless musical collaboration online. It wouldn’t be surprising if, in the near future, we see advanced platforms that simulate the acoustics of a concert hall or provide real-time feedback on participants’ performances.

However, the essence of a successful online team-building session will remain the same: human connection, shared purpose, and the freedom to be a little bit silly together.

The beatboxing workshop delivered by Danny Ladwa for ServiceNow is a testament to how creativity and collaboration can thrive, even in a virtual setting. With participants scattered across different continents, the power of the human voice transcended distance and time zones, uniting everyone in a collective groove that left them smiling and energised.

From the enthusiastic feedback—“Thanks for an amazing session – the team loved it!!”—it’s clear that the experience resonated deeply. The session didn’t just teach participants a new skill; it reignited a sense of camaraderie, curiosity, and fun. In a corporate world that often feels overly structured, beatboxing broke the mould, offering a refreshing blend of spontaneity and teamwork.

ServiceNow, as a leader in digital workflow and innovation, demonstrated that a high-tech industry can and should also prioritise human connection. Their employees—champions of cloud computing and process optimisation—took a brief step away from their usual routines to explore the rhythmic possibilities of their own voices. That, in itself, is a powerful statement about the importance of balance: blending technology with creativity, data-driven tasks with artistic freedom, and professional objectives with moments of pure, unadulterated fun.

If you’re considering new ways to unite your team, why not give beatboxing a go? As the ServiceNow Education Services session proved, all you need is a bit of open-mindedness, an enthusiastic facilitator like Danny Ladwa, and the willingness to “B-T-K” your way to a more connected, spirited workplace. And who knows—you might discover hidden musical talents in your colleagues (or even in yourself) that you never knew existed!

If you're considering a super engaging and fun activity for your team, get in touch with School Of Beatbox today to discuss your options.