Sick of team-building exercises in a drab community centre – then why not consider one of these alternative away days to get your team thinking in new ways and bonding with each other.
The main aims of away days and team building exercises are to change the way your team thinks about problem solving, improve how they work together and create a more social atmosphere in the office.
However, many companies simply rely on standard away day favourites like quizzes or paintballing, without thinking about what these activities offer their team. Here we look at some alternative away days and why they can help your team.
Murder Mystery
Put your team in the role of an amateur sleuth for the day. Murder mystery events have come a long way in recent times with a variety of options including a CSI version. Cracking the case means that they not only have to use their problem-solving skills, they also need to work as a team bringing together various clues to come up with a single theory.
It can also help them to develop their skills when it comes to reading people and their motives – can they spot the murderer among the group?
Top tip: Get your team to dress up for the day. It will help them get into the mood and adopt a new character.
Dance lessons
Social niceties and norms can sometimes stifle creativity and freedom in an office. Taking the team out for dance lessons can help break these barriers. Once your account’s manager has wiggled his hips in front of everyone, he’ll be less embarrassed to speak his mind in the office.
It’s also a physical work out for the team, getting the blood pumping and the brains working faster.
Top tip: Make sure everyone takes part, even if it’s just a few simple steps. Once they do the first moves they’ll feel more comfortable with more advance dances.
Get cooking
Learning from an expert can be a great experience for your staff as they have to put aside their own egos and listen to someone else. Cooking lessons are a great way to do this. Following recipes carefully can also improve people’s attention to detail.
Get them working in teams or pairs to come up with their own versions of recipes allowing them to build their team working skills and show their creativity.
Top tip: See if you can get staff to learn the recipes for some healthy work snacks or lunches that they can make at home and bring in to the office.
Game shows
Competition can bring out the best and worst in people, so it’s really interesting to watch your team in a game show environment to see how they react.
Try setting up your own Dragon’s Den where employees have to sell outlandish products or test their obscure knowledge with your own version of Pointless – with questions based around clients or your work.
Top tip: Quickly switch formats to keep your teams on their toes and thinking instinctively.
Posted by The Secret Businessman