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I recently published a blog on The Benefits of Team Building in the Office. After sharing the many reasons that taking time for these types of activities is a smart investment, I wanted to answer a few FAQs regarding the etiquette of team building. As always, feel free to tweet me @dianegottsman or post on my Facebook page with your etiquette questions.
Q: I’d like to put together a team building outing for my employees, but am on a limited budget. Do you have any suggestions for how to begin?
A: I’m so glad you’ve made the decision to get your group together for some fun interactions. Thankfully, team building doesn’t have to mean renting out an expensive venue for the day. If you need to keep the logistics simple and low cost, consider a Friday afternoon break with a selection of popular board games. You can use your meeting room(s) and divide employees into teams. Provide snacks and soda or ask that people bring a homemade treat to share. Another idea could be making a short trip to a nearby park for a few field games. You’d be surprised how many laughs will be had in a three legged race.
Q: We recently formed a team building committee in the office and want to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable participating. Any tips are appreciated.
A: Consider starting slow by incorporating a few “getting to know you questions” before your next sales meeting. Break people into pairs and pass around some great conversation starters. Everyone will be more likely to participate if they don’t feel like they have to speak to the whole room. Bring in a timer and have people find a new partner every 2-3 minutes.
Q: I’ve planned the first team building afternoon for my office and am looking for ways to sweeten the deal so that the excitement level surrounding the day remains high. Thanks for your help!
A: A great way to build in some extra motivation for the festivities is to incorporate prizes. Restaurant gift cards are always popular, including gift cards for an ice cream shop if you can’t splurge on higher dollar amounts. Other favorites include movie tickets, local coupon books, and iTunes or Amazon gift cards.