When it comes to team building, most companies follow one of these methods: do nothing and hope for the best, schedule team building events in-house or go all out and plan an out of the office team building event.
Simply put, some companies just don’t care about team building. And then there are those who truly believe in the power of team building. This can benefit companies and organizations of all sizes, spanning all industries.
For example, Bob Huggins, head men’s basketball coach at West Virginia University, understands that a close team off the court can be the difference between success and failure on the court. This is why he scheduled a summer trip to the Bahamas with his team and staff. He noted the following in regards to team building:
“They enjoy being around each other. That part of it has been really good. We've had bowling nights and it's more for the young guys because the older guys are really pretty good and they get along great.”
In many ways, company culture is a lot like a basketball team. It is important that employees enjoy being around each other. It is important that new employees feel like a part of the group.
Related Article: Got Team Spirit? Building the Ideal Company Culture
The Benefits of Team Building
Companies that understand the benefits of team building are the ones that put time, money, and energy into the process. Some of the many benefits include:
- Improved communication. Through team building events, everybody learns to communicate with each other in an efficient and effective manner. People who never had the chance to converse in the past are now working with one another to reach a common goal.
- Develop a role. Every employee should know his or her role. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen, which leaves some people feeling like the “odd man out.” Team building makes it simple for everybody to develop a role, realize what they excel at, and help others contribute to the best of their ability.
- Skill development. One person is good at this, another is good at that. It is not easy for employees to find time to develop their skills. Furthermore, managers don’t always have time to discover who is good at what and the areas in which employees need additional training. Team building activities help everybody involved to develop new skills.
The final benefit deserves its own section: an opportunity to build stronger relationships. As noted above, coaches want their players to develop strong relationships outside the game. Employees don’t have to be best friends out of the office, but they should respect one another within the building, realizing that this allows everybody to perform at a higher level. Team building activities give workers the opportunity to work together, in close proximity, which leads to strong relationships that are built to last.
You Won’t Believe These Statistics
Some companies neglect to focus on team building because they believe everything is “fine.” They haven’t experienced any major issues within the office, leading them to think there is no room for improvement.
These statistics, shared by Officevibe, may change your outlook:
- 70 percent of United States workers are not engaged at work.
- Companies with engaged employees earn 2.5x more revenue than companies with low engagement levels.
- Only 12 percent of employees leave their company because of money. Instead, company culture is the primary culprit for turnover.
The Small Group Research published a paper entitled “Does Team Building Work?” in an attempt to answer this age old question.
After analyzing data from 103 studies, spanning more than 50 years, the results were conclusive: team building can have a positive impact on performance.
Don’t underestimate the importance of employee engagement and the impact of team building activities on performance.
Related Article: Make the Dream Work: 12 Proven Tactics For Building a Better Team
Who Can Help?
If you are ready to give team building a try, it is time to plan your first event. You have the option of doing so on your own, but here is another idea: hire a company that specializes in team building. Here are the best of the best:
1. TeamBonding
From Google to Apple to Visa, many of the most well-known brands in the world have turned to TeamBonding for “a better kind of team building.”
With a variety of programs to consider, finding one that suits your company is a breeze. For example, its Food Truck Challenge is one of the most popular.
With the help of TeamBonding, you are getting more than a team building event. You are getting involved with a project that is unique, exciting, and so much more.
2. Best Corporate Events
The company name says it all. It is up to you to decide if Best Corporate Events is truly the best, but it definitely has a lot to offer.
As the “largest provider of team building activities in America,” you can expect a customized plan that will have your employees working together in no time.
Some of its most popular programs include:
- A Minute 2 Win It!
- Art Social
- Bike Build Donation
- Bridge to the Future
- City SmartHunt
3. Adventure Associates
Adventure Associates has planned team building events for many companies, including big names such as Nike, Facebook, and Capital One.
Here is the company’s tagline:
“We get it because we live it — we do team building better because we listen, learn, innovate and execute like no other.’
Adventure Associates is all team building, all the time. It offers many types of programs, including but not limited to: interactive challenges, adventure, and charity.
Final Thoughts
A team building activity could be just what your company needs. If you are on board with this idea, you may want to consult with one or more of the companies above to learn more about your options.