Team building

Why team building?

A nice day (or several days) away with friends to get to know each other even better? Putting the noses of your colleagues in the same direction? Then organize a team building! That is quite some work, but worth the effort because of the results afterwards. Moreover, team building is also just super fun to do. And it can be done in all seasons, from winter to summer.

Team building activities with your colleagues. Do it!

Team building activities are of course fun, but if you approach them smartly, you will also achieve some interesting goals with them. For starters, team building for companies strengthens the bonds between people in a team. So go for a good collaboration together. A day full of fun team building activities can also ensure that relationships with the other departments within your company or organization are promoted. Maybe you've spoken to each other a dozen times on the phone, or sent hundreds of emails or apps, during a team building activity you also meet in real life. Finally!

You can also develop skills during a special teambuilding activity. For example, you can ask the group of colleagues to solve a problem together. In this way you gain insight into the way in which team members approach issues, and you can then apply what you have learned together in daily reality at the company. One such important skill is communication. The relaxed atmosphere during team building encourages colleagues to be themselves and to open themselves up to others. That's important information to pick up for when everyone returns to their day job.

Fun and original team building activities also promote teamwork. By doing joint activities outside the workplace, your team members gain insight into each other's strengths and weaknesses. With this information, colleagues in your group will understand each other better and perhaps adjust their communication and way of working.

A day out together also simply provides fun and creativity. The most important thing is that it will be a fun day. You can boost the creativity of your team with it, trigger them to think 'outside the box' for once when solving certain problems. You can encourage your team members to take initiative. And these are things that are also very positive in the office and that lead to results. Regularly providing fun and relaxation also simply creates a bond between colleagues and team members and thereby reduces stress. And that also has positive long-term consequences, such as reduced staff turnover and increased productivity. In any case, team building activities are a unique opportunity to see colleagues at work from a different side, they may be doing something that you would not normally see them doing in the office.

Enjoyable team building with your friends and family

Team building activities are also super popular with groups of friends and family. Why sit together on the couch or go into the pub when you can discover (and maybe conquer) the world? As an organizer, you can organize team building activities that focus on overcoming obstacles, solving problems, or just plain fun. Especially if you manage to organize an original day that is adapted to the specific needs of your group of friends. Some team building companies also offer specific family excursions or bachelor packages, which both adults and children can enjoy.

Team building activities: the choice is endless

To start with: how are you going to choose which trip to do? Do you decide, as one and only? Is the choice made democratically, or is it decided by a manager or a board member (or the birthday boy from the group of friends)?

Would you like to organize that team building activity yourself? Or hire an expert company that will arrange everything from A to Z for you. Maybe you already have an idea in mind and need some advice? Take a look at the list above, where you will find all kinds of formulas.

If you start thinking about which team building activity, you will immediately notice that there is an abundance of choice in team building activities.

Surprise your colleagues, friends or family with a city game, a murder game, an escape room, a help the director has been kidnapped workshop, an adventure tour, Highland Games, Fort Boyard, The Hunt or a 2 PK Trophy. Do you like media concepts, why not organize Expedition Robinson or Team Universalis. If you are sporty, why not an Olympic Games, a climbing park or a sports clinic under the guidance of a well-known sports professional. A star always works! If you are technology or game fans, a virtual reality activity could be the way to go. Or maybe you, as a team or as a group of friends, prefer classics such as karting, sailing, an adventure teambuilding or paintball? That too is possible!

And the good news; there are many more options. What we just told you is just a selection of the huge range on offer. In addition, team building companies develop new games very regularly to stay super relevant. On location, on land, at sea and in the air. At home and abroad.

Important: set your budget

Before you start planning, it's helpful to know your budget. What can it cost? This way you can determine what you can afford and how extensive the team building event may be, how long it can take and where it can take place. Team building activities are possible in all price ranges. Even with a small budget and a good portion of creativity you can do fun things with your team or friends. In all cases, with a small and large budget, with a small and large group, leave some room for unexpected expenses for all participants. These can be transport, reserving the location and obtaining permits, extra activities, food and drink (the inner person also wants something) and insurance (a prepared organizer is worth two).

Online team building activities

Online teambuilding became immensely popular due to the pandemic, but many of these concepts already existed, for example to promote cohesion between international teams from their own location. One thing is certain now that we have discovered the benefits: online team building activities are here to stay!

Here we provide some special ideas for online team building activities. Virtual team challenges for example. These can be challenges for teams and departments linked to their own expertise, or you get tasks that are just out of the box, for example a company-wide challenge. This can be a marketing challenge, for example, where you have everyone devise and create a marketing campaign. Another option: play online games with your team or with colleagues from other teams you often work with. Online bingo, remote quiz, an online version of the game Crazy 88. Prefer something more sporty? Plan an exercise session with your colleagues, but remotely. An external sports coach can virtually fire up the team. Also nice is a step challenge. If you need new ideas for your business, why not organize online creative sessions with an (external) moderator. Finally, organize a virtual lunch, apéro moment or a delicious dinner. Countless suppliers have box concepts to bring all the goodies to your colleagues' homes. You can combine this idea with an online game. You can organize these online team building activities via Zoom, Teams from Microsoft and Skype for Business.

Out with your colleagues during a company excursio

Company team buildings can also take many forms, creative, original or active. Meetings, training courses, workshops and seminars are often organized on location, followed by on-site activities. You can also provide an overnight stay. Some company excursions also involve business relations such as customers, prospects or business partners. Keep this in mind in your planning and when choosing the activities!

The love of the man and the woman goes through the stomach

During your company team building you should not forget the inner person. If you are going to organize a company team building, you will notice that many suppliers offer excellent catering options. From picnics to delicious dinners in special places. If you don't quite find what you're looking for, hiring a separate supplier is of course an option. Think of a cocktail or mocktail bar (for the aperitif), a food truck or food stall, or why not a famous chef or exclusive caterer (the last two: if you have a little more budget).

Organizing company team building? Five golden tips

Are you organizing a company activity on location? What do you practically take into account? We give you five tips!

1. What suits your team
You know your colleagues and the company culture. Think carefully about which team building activity you are going to organize. What suits the company culture, what suits the team and what are the interests? Can it be a spectacular team building? Do your colleagues prefer a unique challenge? Or are you looking for a super original activity, something that no one else has done before. Then ask for a tailor-made plan. Also draw lessons from previous team excursions. What were the epic fails and what worked to everyone's satisfaction?