Team events play a critical role in fostering collaboration, boosting morale, and enhancing overall workplace culture. Bondly had the privilege of helping some of the world’s most successful companies, like Google, Kyte, Mundi, and numerous thriving startups, organize their team events. Through this experience, we’ve learned several key practices that make these events truly successful. Here are five new ways to organize team events that go beyond the typical happy hour, creating meaningful and memorable experiences for all participants.
1. (Please) No More Happy Hours
Happy hours have long been a staple of corporate team-building activities. However, the feedback from many employees suggests that happy hours often feel like an extension of the workday. While the setting might change, the conversations typically remain work-focused, which can deter genuine, personal interactions. As a result, these events often fail to achieve their intended purpose of fostering deeper relationships among team members.
The Problem with Happy Hours:
• Perceived as Mandatory: Employees may feel obligated to attend, even if they would prefer to spend their time differently.
• Work-Focused Conversations: The setting might change, but the topic of conversation often remains work-related.
• Exclusionary: Not everyone drinks alcohol or enjoys socializing in a bar setting, which can make some employees feel excluded.
The Solution: Genuine Person-to-Person Interactions
To truly build relationships, companies should consider organizing events that promote genuine interactions outside the context of work. Here are a few ideas:
• Cultural Experiences: Organize visits to museums, art galleries, or cultural festivals where team members can learn something new together.
• Community Service: Volunteering as a team can create a sense of shared purpose and accomplishment.
• Cooking Classes: Learn to cook a new cuisine together, which promotes teamwork and provides a relaxed environment for conversation.
By moving beyond the traditional happy hour, companies can create events that employees genuinely look forward to and enjoy, fostering stronger, more meaningful connections.
2. Involve Activity or a Goal Other Than Just ‘Meet and Mingle’
Successful team events focus on achieving something together. Whether it’s creating artwork, playing sports, or hiking to the top of a mountain, the important thing is experiencing a small achievement as a team. This shared experience can significantly enhance team cohesion and provide a sense of accomplishment.
The Power of Shared Goals:
• Sense of Accomplishment: Completing a task or achieving a goal together can create a strong sense of pride and accomplishment.
• Teamwork and Collaboration: Activities that require teamwork help to break down barriers and improve communication.
• Memorable Experiences: Achieving something together creates lasting memories and strengthens bonds.
Examples of Goal-Oriented Activities:
• Creative Projects: Organize a workshop where team members create something together, such as a mural, sculpture, or digital project.
• Sports and Physical Activities: Activities like team sports, obstacle courses, or adventure races can be both fun and challenging.
• Outdoor Adventures: Plan a hike, camping trip, or scavenger hunt that requires team members to work together to navigate and complete tasks.
These types of activities not only provide a break from the usual work routine but also create opportunities for team members to develop new skills and discover hidden talents, all while building stronger relationships.
3. Smaller, More Engaging Gatherings
Not every event has to include the entire company. In fact, smaller gatherings with employees who share similar interests often lead to more meaningful and engaging connections. When organizing team events, it’s important to consider the size of the group and the interests of the participants.
Benefits of Smaller Gatherings:
• More Personal Interaction: Smaller groups allow for more in-depth conversations and personal connections.
• Focused Interests: Grouping employees by shared interests can lead to more engaging and enjoyable activities.
• Flexibility: Smaller events are easier to organize and can be more flexible in terms of location and activities.
• Interest-Based Groups: Organize events based on common interests, such as book clubs, hobby groups, or fitness classes.
• Departmental Outings: Smaller events within departments or teams can focus on specific team-building activities relevant to their work.
• Mentorship Programs: Pair employees with mentors for one-on-one or small group activities that foster professional and personal growth.
By focusing on smaller, more engaging gatherings, companies can create events that feel more personal and meaningful, leading to stronger team cohesion and satisfaction.
4. Office-Based Activities Aren’t Boring
Not all team events need to be offsite. Many experience providers are willing to come to your office, offering a variety of activities that can transform your workspace into an event hub. Office-based activities can be just as engaging and effective as offsite events, with the added benefit of convenience and cost-effectiveness.
Advantages of Office-Based Activities:
• Convenience: No need to arrange transportation or deal with logistical challenges of an offsite location.
• Cost-Effective: Saving on venue costs can allow for more frequent or higher-quality activities.
• Familiar Environment: Some employees may feel more comfortable participating in activities within the office.
Creative Office-Based Activities:
• Workshops and Classes: Invite experts to conduct workshops on topics like art, cooking, fitness, or personal development.
• Team Challenges: Organize office-wide challenges like escape rooms, trivia contests, or hackathons that encourage teamwork and problem-solving.
• Wellness Programs: Offer in-office wellness activities such as yoga classes, meditation sessions, or health seminars.
By leveraging the office space creatively, companies can provide engaging and enjoyable activities that promote team bonding and personal development without the need for offsite locations.
5. Don’t Leave Your Remote Teams Out
With the rise of remote work, it’s crucial not to exclude remote team members from team-building activities. There are plenty of interesting virtual activities beyond the typical virtual happy hour. For example, workshops with kits delivered to participants’ homes can provide a shared experience that bridges the physical distance.
Challenges of Remote Team Building:
• Isolation: Remote employees can feel isolated and disconnected from their team.
• Lack of Engagement: Virtual events can sometimes feel less engaging and interactive compared to in-person activities.
• Coordination: Scheduling and coordinating virtual events across different time zones can be challenging.
Innovative Virtual Activities:
• Virtual Workshops: Organize virtual workshops with materials delivered to participants’ homes, such as cooking classes, craft kits, or science experiments.
• Online Games and Competitions: Host virtual game nights, trivia contests, or escape rooms that encourage collaboration and friendly competition.
• Virtual Wellness Programs: Offer online wellness activities like guided meditation, virtual fitness classes, or remote team-building exercises.
By incorporating remote team members into team-building activities, companies can ensure that everyone feels included and valued, regardless of their physical location. This inclusivity fosters a stronger sense of community and helps maintain morale and engagement among remote employees.
If you're still not sure what to do for your next team event, check out our amazing team events here.
We have hundreds of choices to suit any team size, budget, or adventure level. Whether your team is craving a fancy Michelin dinner or a thrilling VR shooting game, we have something for everyone. We offer team events all across the US and Europe. Check out if we have a great option for you!