Whilst making targets and meeting deadlines keep the wheels of your business in motion, it’s the synergy and collective mindset of your team that turn a good organization into a great one. Team building events are the key to a cohesive and motivated mindset as well as providing your staff with a well-earned break from the nine til five.
Why is team building important?
A report by Accenture found that hybrid workforce models are embraced by 63% of high-revenue growth companies. Whilst hybrid and remote working certainly have their benefits, with not everyone always in the same place at the same time, it can make fostering a sense of community in the office more difficult.
Throw in today’s fast-paced corporate environment and, without the time to stop and connect, it quickly becomes apparent why it can be tricky trying to establish a sense of camaraderie and teamwork in the workplace.
Much can also be said about the old adage of you get what you give. If you’re providing the team with a break away from the office and giving everyone the chance to have a bit of fun, they’re far more likely to feel valued at work and therefore be willing to give their all.
There’s no I in the team
Don’t just focus on events that you feel would be enjoyable and look at the overall demographic of your team. Team spirits will very much be dampened if you’ve chosen the wrong kind of event. Whilst you can’t please everyone, there are a few measures you can take to ensure that the majority of the team are on board.
Try putting out a survey or poll with a range of different options and allow people to have their say, then you can go with the majority.
Give people plenty of notice. This is particularly important if you’re planning a couple of days away. Give the team plenty of time to make arrangements and if everyone can’t be there for the entirety of the weekend allow them to opt in for just some of it.
Foster some team spirit
The idea of an away day is to get everyone feeling like they’re part of a community. Consider providing the team with away day accessories or hoodies that can be branded with the company logo and personalized for each team member.
Traveling in convoy is a great idea, and sets a sense of togetherness before you’ve even begun. Consider hiring a minibus or coach to get everyone there. It’s often the little things that make a big difference so you can even get each team member to pick a couple of their favorite tracks and make a team playlist to listen to on the journey there.
Cutting costs not corners
Whilst you want everyone to have a good time, you don’t want to bankrupt the business by going overboard! Look for ways to cut down on costs such as booking things out of season or opting for activities that offer a group discount.
Money can also be saved by building up relationships at local tradeshows, and don’t forget the food markets if you plan on self-catering. If you’re going with the aforementioned route of providing the team with branded clothing, look for suppliers that offer volume discounts (and no minimum orders if you’re a small team) and go for wholesale hoodies, clothing, or even stationary.
Away Day Classics
There are a few away day staples that are guaranteed crowd-pleasers and remain popular for a reason:
Adventure activities
If the group is willing, engage in activities such as rope courses, rock climbing, or zip-lining which all make for an exciting shared experience. If you don’t think the team would respond well to such adrenaline-pumping adventures, you can always take it down a notch and opt for a round of crazy golf or a game of bowling!
Escape rooms
An escape room is the ultimate box-ticking team-building event; it’s a lot of fun, and a fantastic crowd-pleaser. Without effective teamwork, communication, and some collective critical thinking, it’s unlikely you’ll make it out! It’s also a great way to see how different team members react when they’re put under pressure.
Creative workshops
If you’re operating in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment, you may want to step away from the more high-octane events and let the team bond within a slightly more relaxed environment. Creative activities such as painting lessons, pottery classes, or creative writing workshops can provide a lovely way to allow team members to bond and get to know each other in a more relaxed and informal environment.
Away days with a difference
You don’t have to opt for the typical away days, there are plenty of alternatives if you want to do something a little different with your team:
Working for a charity
Volunteer as a team for some local community service projects, help out a local charity, or organize a beach clean-up or a spot of litter picking. Fostering a sense of purpose whilst making a positive impact on the community can work wonders for staff morale.
Cooking classes
Many restaurants offer culinary classes in which the team could participate. Cooking a meal and then enjoying the fruits of your labor afterward can be a lovely way for everyone to bond.
Family fun day
Team building doesn’t always have to be just about the team. Bringing in friends and family to the workplace can be a great way to foster relationships and get to know each other. Plan a family fun day, with some form of entertainment, a few stalls, and a couple of food trucks, and you’re good to go. There are even companies who will plan and arrange the event for you.
An away day or weekend retreat isn’t just about fostering connectivity and building a team, it’s also a great way of showing that you care and appreciate the people who work for you.
Wrap up
When it comes to organizing the event, manage your expectations, don’t feel like it has to be hugely extravagant, and you’ll always want your team-building activity to appeal to the majority. It’s also important to bear in mind that you can’t please everyone. If it’s white water rafting this time, maybe it’s that pottery class next time!
Finally, always keep in mind the purpose — you’re not organizing a staff social. This is simply a way of helping the team get to know each other that little more.
So whether it’s a yoga retreat in the mountains or some good old-fashioned team-building games in the office, you’ll hopefully break the ice, encourage communication, and have plenty of fun along the way.
