The Truth about Team Building Events

1 November 2011:RedBalloon for Corporate recently conducted a survey* to discover what workers want when it comes to team building events. Most workers and management like to participate, but there are certain pitfalls that can stand in the way of businesses maximising the effectiveness of such events.

Half of respondents react with fear, panic or at best, apathy, when told they will be participating in a team building event.

According to RedBalloon general manager for corporate Matt Geraghty, “Team building events do suffer from a range of stereotypes, and the phrase alone carries a stigma that can provoke a cynical reaction from workers.”

In fact, almost three quarters of respondents (72 per cent) said their current experience with team building was average or very poor, yet 82 per cent of respondents are eager to participate in more of them. Confused?

Here are the Top 10 things respondents loathe about team building. Take note to avoid making your own blunders.

1. Participants who don’t play along ruin it for others

2. No fun!

3. Badly organised or facilitated

4. Time wasters

5. No clear purpose or intent behind the event

6. Personal embarrassment

7. Tired and clichd

8. People working in cliques

9. Not during work hours

10. Managers not participating

“The benefits of team building are well documented, from breaking down barriers, creating stronger bonds between colleagues, to improving camaraderie, communication, motivation and productivity,” Mr Geraghty said.

In fact, ‘bonding with colleagues and getting to know each other better’ was the top motivator for participating in these events, receiving votes from 79 per cent of respondents. Shadowing this was the desire to get out of the office (78 per cent), and the attraction of food, beverages and entertainment was popular with 69 per cent.

“If organisations can be seen to be investing in the workplace environment and making a concerted effort to foster positive morale in the business, workers will be more likely to give their discretionary effort every day.

“This research highlights some very simple lessons to help organisations harness the enthusiasm employees have for such events, so we have compiled a list of our top tips to get the most out of any team building experience.”

Top Team Building Tips from RedBalloon

1. Set goals, be organised and manage expectations

2. Do your research and set a budget

3. Communicate a sense of excitement

4. Get out of the office

5. Get help and consider bringing in the experts

6. Consult - know your people and what they like

7. Challenge people

8. Avoid clichs

9. Consider a theme to make it memorable

10. Have fun!

As a result of these findings, RedBalloon has created a competition for businesses to gain recognition for their 2011 success. Reward Your Team allows organisations to share their story, with winners receiving $1500 towards a RedBalloon team building event. Enter at www.redballoon.com.au/rewardyourteam - entries open 1 Nov – 6 Dec.

*Online survey conducted among RedBalloon corporate database in October 2011 with 108 respondents

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For more information please contact

Lauren Ashton, Communications Specialist RedBalloon – 02 8755 0034, lauren@redballoon.com.au

RedBalloon for Corporate transforms workplace cultures via strategic employee engagement and reward and recognition programs. Using a unique resource of over 2500 amazing experiences, RedBalloon creates attachments between employees and their employer. RedBalloon was awarded 2010 Hewitt Best Employer with an engagement score of 90%+ for the last three years – the Australian average is 55%.