Team building events are key to learning and development within an organisation and they can bring significant benefits. A close-knit team is crucial to a business’ success, and a well thought out, well organised team building event is a great way of building those relationships, as well as developing key skills such as communication and problem solving.
The most effective team building activities are often those which improve communication between colleagues and also create positive shared memories. Below are some ideas for team building activities that can really add value to your organisation and motivate your employees.
Find the treasure
Do we ever really grow out of treasure hunts? Many people remember them from their childhoods, but they can also be a lot of fun for adults. Creating a treasure hunt offers a great opportunity for your team to work together and think outside of the box in order to solve the clues. It also introduces some healthy competition – especially if you offer a prize for the winning team.You can devise your own hunt, or go hi-tech with a GPS treasure hunt where participants use smartphones and tablets to navigate their way around the clues and challenges.
Sing for your supper
Singing is not just for the shower – it also has the makings of a successful team building activity. Lots of event organising companies are now offering businesses the opportunity to sing and record their own song. It may sound terrifying to some, but it can really get your team working ‘in harmony’ whilst pushing people out of their comfort zone to achieve something they didn’t think possible. Singing also has physical and psychological benefits and is proven to reduce stress – leaving you with a happy, healthy workforce.
Unleash your inner drama queen
Using drama and role-play to encourage creativity can be really effective. Split your group into teams and give each team the title of a play – ideally one related to the issues dealt with in your organisation. Each team then has a certain amount of time to write and rehearse their play and gather any necessary props, before performing their play in front of the rest of the group. This creative activity provides an opportunity to confront challenges and find solutions in a relaxed environment.
Take on a challenge
Taking on a physical challenge such as a local 5k run or even the Three Peaks Challenge can really help people to pull together to achieve a common goal. This kind of activity will also require several months of training, giving people the opportunity to get together and build relationships outside of a work environment. Why not also use the opportunity to fundraise for a chosen charity?
Whodunnit?
Team building events tend to be daytime affairs, but an evening activity can work just as well. Why not try a murder mystery evening? They offer a fun, laid back atmosphere which encourages creativity and collaborative working. It also offers people the opportunity to put their problem solving skills to the test as they try to figure out ‘whodunnit’.
Get ready for your close up
Team building events based on well-known television programmes have become increasingly popular in recent years. This is partly due to the familiarity of the format, which makes it fairly easy to get your team engaged with the activity. You can choose the show that best meets your objectives – whether it’s improving business planning and sales with ‘The Apprentice’, getting creative with ‘The Great British Bakeoff’, or overcoming challenges with ‘It’s a Knockout’. Just decide which format works best for you and your team.
Give something back
Volunteering in your local community can be a fantastic way of your bringing people together to achieve a common goal. Whether it’s creating a community garden or undertaking a DIY project for a charity, enabling employees to give something back to their local area has a great impact on motivation. It also has the added benefit of enhancing your organisation’s public profile while helping you to achieve your CSR objectives.
When it comes to team building, there are so many great activities to choose from. To ensure you choose the right one, it’s essential to be sure of your objectives are and also to know your team and what they will respond best to. Who knows, you might even unearth some hidden talent.
Charlie Berry is the Event Director for London based Zing Events, a corporate event company that delivers innovative and creative team building activities.