Do: ‘Weed out bullies,’ says Peter, who’s a director of a design business. ‘As in the Admirable Crichton, when placed on an even playing field, roles are often reversed and the shy and oppressed get a chance to lead. Great for confidence building.’
Do: ‘Remember, the dynamics of team building foster both individual competitiveness and joint collaboration,’ said Peter
Do: ‘Use the activity days for team spirit and bonding and getting to know people better. Also, they are a good as a reward for a commitment over and above the call of duty,’ says Simon Powell, marketing manager for a barcode printer manufacturer. One of Simon’s most positive experiences was ‘engaging with the internal sales team and building relationships’.
Do: ‘Try karting, quad biking and off-road driving,’ says Simon.
‘We did some team challenge events like building bridges, getting over ditches with a few bits of wood we had to piece together, and connecting a hose to a fire truck, finished off by playing human table football. That was a great laugh! Funniest activity we have ever done,’ Simon adds. Peter says: ‘Rope activities in forests – terrifying, exhilarating and satisfying at the same time.’
Do: Consider different requirements. ‘Sometimes the issue is that women don’t always fancy the cold/outdoor, competitive stuff, which can often be male-oriented,’ says Simon. ‘Last time we did a night out we went to see Mama Mia instead…so it was Mama Mia instead of “gear”!’
Do: Use the time away from the office to explain perceptions. ‘We got a chief executive to realise he was unapproachable and arrogant,’ says Andy
Do: ‘Treat the day as a matter of course – naturally with a bunch of mates?’
Don’t: ‘No corporate b********!’ advises Peter.
Don’t: ‘Be too false and facile,’ said Andy Camp, who’s a business development director with the civil service. ‘I hate the naval gazing and heart searching style of event – prefer the good fun and activity based ones. No problem solving exercises though – please! It is important the event’s objectives are right,’ believes Andy, so make sure you know what you want to achieve before you book anything.
Don’t: ‘Attempt to contrive a sense of responsibility and common goal with a synthetic (and transparent) group hug. It’s actually quite cloying to me … yes I know … I’m more grumpy than the grumpiest man in grumpy land!’ Nigel Curtis, MD of a communications company. Joking aside, the hugging culture isn’t prevalent everywhere and some people may find it more than merely off-putting.
Don’t: Make the same mistakes we did. ‘Our CEO thought it was a great idea to spend the weekend team building at a haunted hotel. Just before going to bed the Ops Director was told that someone was found hanged in his room 40 years before. Consequently he got no sleep and was totally miserable the following day – team building went out the window,’ recalls Andy.
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