* The latest in teambuilding trends.
Now that the economy has started to rebound and things are getting back to “normal”, there is a real need for employees to actively engage in and embrace worthwhile teambuilding experiences to restore harmony in the workplace.
So how do you, as a meeting planner, plan a teambuilding event that will not only build unity but also improve your company’s overall morale? We asked some industry professionals to weigh in on this, as well as what they see as the current teambuilding trends. Here’s what they had to say:
Now that the economy has started to rebound and things are getting back to “normal”, there is a real need for employees to actively engage in and embrace worthwhile teambuilding experiences to restore harmony in the workplace.
So how do you, as a meeting planner, plan a teambuilding event that will not only build unity but also improve your company’s overall morale? We asked some industry professionals to weigh in on this, as well as what they see as the current teambuilding trends. Here’s what they had to say:
Having Fun Together
According to Lynne Lisner, communications coordinator for Positively Cleveland, “It’s been rough going in many workplaces since 2008. Consequently, companies and employees are simply ready for something different, and more importantly, fun when it comes to teambuilding. We’re seeing trends that are indicating groups are ready to break barriers by seeking more adventurous kinds of activities that, simply put, let adults act like kids!”
Laughing has been proven to be a natural stress reliever. Being able to let go of workplace pressures for awhile, to laugh or engage in activities that bring out your creativity and make you feel young again, can really recharge a person.
Ideas for this type of event include: hiring an improvisational comedy troupe and letting employees choose topics, characters and ideas for the comical settings and scenarios; learning how to make chocolates or how to decorate cakes together; or doing something artsy together such as learning to throw pots or blow glass.
Getting Competitive
Nothing says “mix and mingle”, quite like a good, old-fashioned game between co-workers. According to Matthew D. Rion, marketing and operations manager for Windy City Fieldhouse, Chicago, “This year, companies are choosing to incorporate competitive teambuilding opportunities into their traditional summer outings. A number of companies we’re working with have chosen to add a Great “Amazing Race” Chicago or “Mission Impossible” scavenger hunt that leads teams to their summer picnic location. “Adding a competitive team challenge to the beginning of a summer picnic or corporate backyard BBQ is a great way for companies to add lasting value to their summer outing.”
Robert Sheets, director of sales and marketing at the Abbey Resort Fontana, WI. agrees. Their resort’s “Ready Set Go GPS Scavenger Hunt” is a hugely popular teambuilding exercise. This modern day treasure hunt blends technology, camaraderie and adventure for a great competitive teambuilding experience.
David Schramm, of Farmer’s Insurance, hosted a Cell-Guided Scavenger Hunt at the Abbey utilizing text-messaging instead of a GPS. He broke his sales team into six teams with six people in a group. Each group had a list of clues text to them describing locations and once the group found the location, they took a photo of it with their cell phone and text the photo to the facilitator’s phone.
“My goal for the teambuilding initiative was to motivate in a fun and unique way,” says Schramm. “The experience gave us heightened cooperation, and strengthened our team bonds during this fast-paced activity. Besides, it was nice to see people acting like kids again, something corporate America greatly needs!”
Other competitive ideas for teambuilding include bowling; a good old-fashioned softball game; a bocce ball tournament; an egg drop competition where groups construct a unique, protective apparatus or parachute to safely drop a raw egg without breaking it; and board game or trivia tournaments.
Reality TV
Although some people might not want to admit it, almost everyone in America watches some sort of reality TV show and these shows have had a major impact on our society.According to David Goldstein, founder of TeamBonding with offices in Chicago, “We’re seeing that some of the most popular new teambuilding programs are continuing to find their way from reality television to corporate meeting space. These include teambuilding versions of Minute to Win It, Dancing With the Stars and Iron Chef.”These types of activities are also proving to be a lot of fun and competitive, which is what it’s all about these days.
According to Lynne Lisner, communications coordinator for Positively Cleveland, “It’s been rough going in many workplaces since 2008. Consequently, companies and employees are simply ready for something different, and more importantly, fun when it comes to teambuilding. We’re seeing trends that are indicating groups are ready to break barriers by seeking more adventurous kinds of activities that, simply put, let adults act like kids!”
Laughing has been proven to be a natural stress reliever. Being able to let go of workplace pressures for awhile, to laugh or engage in activities that bring out your creativity and make you feel young again, can really recharge a person.
Ideas for this type of event include: hiring an improvisational comedy troupe and letting employees choose topics, characters and ideas for the comical settings and scenarios; learning how to make chocolates or how to decorate cakes together; or doing something artsy together such as learning to throw pots or blow glass.
Getting Competitive
Nothing says “mix and mingle”, quite like a good, old-fashioned game between co-workers. According to Matthew D. Rion, marketing and operations manager for Windy City Fieldhouse, Chicago, “This year, companies are choosing to incorporate competitive teambuilding opportunities into their traditional summer outings. A number of companies we’re working with have chosen to add a Great “Amazing Race” Chicago or “Mission Impossible” scavenger hunt that leads teams to their summer picnic location. “Adding a competitive team challenge to the beginning of a summer picnic or corporate backyard BBQ is a great way for companies to add lasting value to their summer outing.”
Robert Sheets, director of sales and marketing at the Abbey Resort Fontana, WI. agrees. Their resort’s “Ready Set Go GPS Scavenger Hunt” is a hugely popular teambuilding exercise. This modern day treasure hunt blends technology, camaraderie and adventure for a great competitive teambuilding experience.
David Schramm, of Farmer’s Insurance, hosted a Cell-Guided Scavenger Hunt at the Abbey utilizing text-messaging instead of a GPS. He broke his sales team into six teams with six people in a group. Each group had a list of clues text to them describing locations and once the group found the location, they took a photo of it with their cell phone and text the photo to the facilitator’s phone.
“My goal for the teambuilding initiative was to motivate in a fun and unique way,” says Schramm. “The experience gave us heightened cooperation, and strengthened our team bonds during this fast-paced activity. Besides, it was nice to see people acting like kids again, something corporate America greatly needs!”
Other competitive ideas for teambuilding include bowling; a good old-fashioned softball game; a bocce ball tournament; an egg drop competition where groups construct a unique, protective apparatus or parachute to safely drop a raw egg without breaking it; and board game or trivia tournaments.
Reality TV
Although some people might not want to admit it, almost everyone in America watches some sort of reality TV show and these shows have had a major impact on our society.According to David Goldstein, founder of TeamBonding with offices in Chicago, “We’re seeing that some of the most popular new teambuilding programs are continuing to find their way from reality television to corporate meeting space. These include teambuilding versions of Minute to Win It, Dancing With the Stars and Iron Chef.”These types of activities are also proving to be a lot of fun and competitive, which is what it’s all about these days.
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