- Dawn Reshen-Doty
Summertime and the working is easy - with a little team building fun!
Summer is the best time for companies to use their employee's desire to be outdoors, in the sun, and having fun, towards building a more cohesive team. These summer activities are sure to increase camaraderie, show that there's a fun side of any firm, and even give the staff a chance to take that longed for shot at the boss!
Create a Dragon boat racing team. It requires no previous experience or ability, and will allow your team to impress any company by saying, "so do you dragon boat race? We do!"
Go on a museum hack of the Museum of Modern Art and combine esprit with inquisitiveness to create a team adventure.
Make your own company wine and combine the love of libations with corporate branding. Nothing says "we appreciate you!" more than a bottle of "your company name here" wine actually made by your entire team.
Make a company movie or video, showing off the funny side of your organization and the hidden talents (and idiosyncrasies) of your team.
Incorporate fun into your corporate social values. The Leader's Institute has teamed up with local food banks to incorporate charity into its team building programs by pairing corporate teams with charities in need of food through a fun and interactive golf activity. People are divided into teams with canned and boxed food items in front of them. Groups are asked to build a miniature golf course out of these items, play against each other, and then break down the course. The team members then work together, placing the food packages into boxes that are then donated to the food banks.
Host a day of outrageous outdoor games, with wacky non-physical relay games, closing ceremonies and medals. (Lit torch optional.)
Take the company go-karting and try not to hit the boss... too often.
Take the gang to the beach and have a sand castle competition along with water balloon volleyball, kite races, and Boogie board competitions.
What do all these activities really do?
Build team strength and communication while boosting morale through the power of play.
Inspire different ways of problem solving
Get people relaxed, laughing, and having fun together.
Foster teamwork and togetherness in a dynamic new way.
Provides relaxing "icebreaker" opportunities for coworkers to learn more about the "outside the office" interests and experiences of one another.
Company "play" can bring out qualities and skills previously not displayed or shared.
The collaborative aspect of company play can create more effective teams and utilize the strength of all its members.