Corporate events and business teambuilding functions can be a fun way to bring staff together. It can aid team building and motivate employees, whilst reinforcing your brand’s values.
Read our 5 quick tips for preparing a successful teambuilding event.
Choose something that everyone can do
The most successful corporate functions are those that are accessible by everyone. Obviously this includes physical mobility needs too, but the emotional and mental wellbeing of participants is worth considering.
Organising a trip to go white water rafting will satisfy the adrenaline hungry team members, but risk alienating those that hate that sort of thing. Often this can be solved by a range of activities being available, so staff can pick and choose without obligation.
Catering!
Here at Team Organic, the company provides us lunch on a regular basis. When its arrival is announced, we hurtle across the office like a pack of feral creatures. My point? People like free food. It’s something to look forward to, and brings everyone together in one place, reinforcing relationships and developing new ones.
At any event, the catering area inevitably becomes a central focal point, where everyone will visit at least once. And after all, the whole point of teambuilding is to bring everyone together. Cater to all tastes and diets, and make sure there’s plenty to go around.
A random word of advice, but make sure all of the foods are labelled. It makes things much less stressful for those with particular requirements.
If the venue isn’t the office, consider transport
A teambuilding event into the mountains might be just the ticket as far as staff are involved, but spare a thought for those who will struggle to get there. Consider paying for transport expenses, or provide transport to and from the usual place of work.
Competition and collaboration
Not everyone thrives in a competitive work environment, but a bit of friendly competition in a social atmosphere can be a good thing. Competitive fun can work well as both motivational tool and a platform on which to bond.
A quiz, table tennis, or even a dance off, let employees decide what they’re taking part in on the day. A bit of flexibility in the schedule makes things feel a bit more relaxed.
Alternatively, or as well as, offer collaborative events where staff can form teams against each other. Even better if they’re not in their usual working teams, but maybe let them choose.
Why are you having the event?
Obviously, the point of a team building event is to ensure solid teamwork permeates the working culture. Is there anything else that you’re hoping to get from it? For example, it might be that this event comes at the start of a new project, so it’s useful way to focus your team at the same time.
If it’s as a reward for a job well done, let staff know. It’ll reaffirm a sense of achievement for doing a good job, as a team.
