Team Building

Team Building is an integral part of any organization that wants to have strong collaboration, trust, and communication among team members. However, organizing such an event can seem intimidating and often requires thoughtful planning, which is why we have created the following tell-all guide to assist you in your planning process! There are a few things that are important to consider prior to planning your next team building activity. First, what are your goals and objectives of this team building experience? In other words, what do you want your team to get out of the experience? Second, what is the size of your team’s group? How many participants do you have? This will narrow down what kind of activities are realistic for your team. Next, what is your budget? How much are you willing to spend on this experience? With any team building activity, there are costs involved, that is why it is crucial to have a budget in mind prior to making any decisions. Finally, what activity would best suit your team, and who/where will facilitate such an activity? With these factors in mind, you are sure to set your organization up for success and create a fun and well-planned activity for the whole team to enjoy! Now let’s get to brainstorming!

Setting Goals

Before you go into any activity, it is important to identify what you want to achieve by the end of the experience. Team building activities will vary in execution depending on what you want your team members to take away from the experience. For example, if your goal is to improve communication, it would be valuable to plan an exercise where all team members have the opportunity to voice their opinions. In this case, planning an activity or game where everyone participates would be more conducive to your objectives rather than planning another activity, such a group field trip, where your team members are not necessarily required to collaborate. However, if your goal for the team building activity is to boost morale, an activity like a field trip would be perfect! Having defined goals makes it easier to measure the success of the activity afterward, and ensures that the activity planned caters to your team’s needs.

Team Size, Preference, and Accommodations

Now that you have set your goals for the activity, it is time to factor in logistics. How many team members does your organization have? If it is a very large group, it may be wise to book a shuttle bus rental with Motor Coach Family of Brands, to mitigate challenges associated with carpooling and transportation. Additionally, if your organization is very large, we recommend a carefully structured event. For large groups, map out an itinerary that details the whos, whats, wheres, and what times of the activity. For example, a large group may decide to take a charter bus to a scavenger hunt in the park. It is crucial that all team members are aware of the meeting places, the length of the activity, and how to prepare for the activity. With all of these factors outlined carefully, your team building activity is sure to run smoothly.

Setting a Budget

A budget is an important element to consider when planning any activity. It is essential that you consider all potential costs before making a decision on what activity is best for your team. These activities do not have to break the bank, however, costs will vary depending on the size of your team, the length of the activity, and more. If your team building activity is predicted to last the length of the work day, it may be important to factor lunch into your budget. Additionally, if you are planning on traveling with your team, it is important to consider the cost of shuttling you and your organization. In order to ensure the success of your activity, it is important to have the budget squared away before the execution of your team building activity.

Plan Your Activity

Now that you have your goals, preferences, and budget in mind, it is time to plan your activity! This is where you get to be creative! The most important thing to consider when you plan your activity is that it follows the limitations we have set earlier in this blog. Say I have a very small organization, and I want to encourage better communication and problem solving skills with my team. In this case, I may plan to do team building activities at my organization. Team building activities like the human-knot challenge are perfect for smaller groups, and require that every member communicate in order to win the challenge. This is a fairly cost effective activity, so in a situation like this, I may also cater lunch to my team to boost morale and show appreciation to my team members. With your team building activity planned, it is equally important that you know who will facilitate your activity. Whether it be you, another person, or another entity, it is vital that the person facilitating your activity be prepared to present the activity to your organization. This may require practice and potentially additional planning, however, it is integral to making the occasion as seamless as possible.

Time to Execute Your Plans!

By following the steps we’ve outlined in this blog, including setting goals, selecting the right activity, and ensuring clear communication, you can plan an activity  that encourages stronger relationships, better communication, and a more collaborative work environment. Team-building activities don’t just build better teams; they also build a positive, engaged workplace culture that drives success. This is why it is critical that your activity is thoughtfully planned and accounted for! By following the guide listed above, you are sure to plan a successful team building activity!