For boosting employee morale and trust, team building is critical. Studies prove that team-building events and activities help company executives retain a dedicated and focused staff. It also helps executives deal with unexpected changes and uncertainty within the workplace. If you are responsible for coming up with innovative team-building ideas, start by looking at what other companies around the world are doing for their employees.
Benefits of Team-Building Activities
Millions of companies around the globe recognize the value that comes from using team-building activities. Some of the primary benefits include:
- Changeover – At a company in transition, perhaps with a new owner coming on board or moving to a new location, employees have every right to feel nervous. During this period, there is a tremendous amount of unrest and confusion. However, executives can help employees feel at ease by using team-building activities.
- Organizational Development – In addition to being fun, team building is an educational tool for long-term organizational development.
- Building Comradery – Especially in larger companies, those with many cross-functional teams, and organizations with telecommuters, there is a lack of interaction among employees. Team-building activities help workers get acquainted with one another. As a result, teams work together more efficiently, which enhances employee and business success.
- Employee Appreciation – Executives are often inundated with business matters. Although intentions are good, their overloaded responsibilities prevent them from speaking up and telling their workers how much they are valued. Team building is an excellent way to show employees that their hard work and dedication are recognized and appreciated.
Depending on the budget, the number of workers, and the type of business, team-building activities may last a single day or go on for several days. Using these and other factors, executives choose the type of activities, which might entail spending a full day at the lake or on the slopes or going away for a two- or three-day retreat. For the greatest impact, it is important to weave in teaching moments with fun activities.
Trends for Team Building
When looking at all of the possibilities for team building, you will discover that some have been around for a long time while others are exciting new trends. Incorporating a charitable element as a team-building activity, such as repairing or building a home for someone in need or having a food drive coupled with health fair for children in poverty-stricken communities, is an example of an emerging team-building trend. Thanks to advancing technology, a virtual reality event is another trend.
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For great team-building ideas, consider some of the activities that companies from around the world offer their workers.
Australia
In Australia, as well as many other countries, obstacle courses are popular team-building activities. Although employees end up tired and dirty after enjoying a day of fun, they also learn the importance of communication and trust.
Asia
Corporations throughout Asia have a reputation for being highly efficient in the workplace, which extends to the type of team-building activities chosen. For instance, short games that allow workers to get acquainted is a hot trend. These games also promote better connections and create the opportunity for sharing ideas.
Britain
Team-building activities are popular in Britain, as well. Among the different team-building activities in Britain, many involve alcohol. As an example, drinks are served on boats and at beer- and winetasting events. However, there are also activities that do not involve alcohol, such as taking a dance class or participating in a culinary class. One thing that sets companies in Britain apart from those in some other countries is that all of their team-building ideas are creative. As a way of promoting better communication, interaction, and trust in the workplace, most executives are not afraid to think outside of the box when organizing team-building activities.
Canada
Canada is another great country that follows hot team-building trends. Company executives look for activities that are creative but also boost business productivity. Some examples include boat building, culinary events, paying it forward to strangers, mystery murder investigations, and a host of other indoor and outdoor activities. Regardless of the event, team building in Canada is adventurous.
France
With an impressive list of team-building activities, there is never a shortage of fun for people who work in France. Among the hottest trends are detective and murder investigation games, sightseeing tours, treasure hunts, GPS rallies, oenological gatherings, and more. In combination with unusual team-building events, executives in France offer their employees traditional activities, like whiskey tasting, singing, wine making, and video game playing. In this country, team building is about action.
Germany
Whether a thrill-seeker or not, employees of German companies love geocaching, whitewater rafting, and other highly adventurous team-building activities. In addition to creating something fun and exciting, executives select team-building programs in Germany because of their trust-building capabilities. As a result, employees have a work environment that is conducive to employee interaction and productivity.
Norway
With an abundance of things to see and do, it is not surprising that Norway is a major hub for some of the most popular team-building events around the world. Some of the more popular activities include Oktoberfest, lavish costume balls, summer events called “Sommerfest”, gambling nights, kickoff launches and more. Regardless of the activity or how much fun everyone has, the goal is to teach employees just how important it is to work together closely in different scenarios. Overall, Norway focuses on creating educational fun.
United States
Team-building activities in the United States run the gamut. Along with parties where employees can let loose for a night of fun, executives set up team-building activities like working for Habitat for Humanity or some other charitable organization. The goal is to find opportunities that require employees to work in teams. In addition to getting to know one another on a more personal level, this sets the foundation for resolving conflicts. Charitable team building is a win-win for all parties involved.
Lessons Learned
You will feel inspired when looking at how different countries around the world choose, organize, and implement team-building activities. Although some of the activities are somewhat far-fetched, the respective countries execute them beautifully. Regardless of the activity or trend that you are most interested in implementing for your team-building event, keep things fun and educational. Ultimately, your workers will form a tighter bond, which benefits everyone.
