Most of us have been, at one time or another, told that we must participate in a group activity with the sole purpose of bringing us together as a team and getting to know one another. Whether it was in school, at summer camp, during a cousin’s wedding show or in the workplace, it is an experience that a lot of people can relate to.
Team building events in the workplace, when done correctly, can be a lot of fun and are a great way to improve office relationships in a relaxed environment, outside of the constraints of job titles, to do lists and hierarchies.
That’s why taking the time to get your team excited about your event is a critical step in ensuring that staff members not only attend, but get something out of the activity.
Negativity is contagious - even if just a few individuals are not looking forward to coming, their comments and opinions can quickly bring down those around them. The good news is positivity is just as infectious.
Teambonders has listed five ways that you can get your team excited about your upcoming corporate team building event.
1. Give them a reason to be excited
It is important for your employees to be well trained and efficient, but stating that this is the purpose of your team building event might not be as attractive to them as it is to you, your company’s stakeholders and management team.
While your event should be relatable to the obstacles and opportunities your employees run in to every day, they should also be fun. Be sure that your messaging speaks to this aspect of the event.
2. Build a community
Almost everyone is on social media in some form or another. Find out which social platform is most predominantly used by your employees and create an event page on it. This will give you a place to share ideas, ask questions and post details about the big day.
3. Promote the event
Not everyone uses the same communication channels, so it is important to send information about the event to employees in multiple ways. This may include mentioning it in meetings, sending out emails, or having posters up around the office. Just be sure to choose methods that are most relevant to your team.
4. Get them talking
People want to be a part of something. When we feel like we helped bring something to fruition, we tend to have a greater connection to it. From day one, get employees involved by opening the planning committee up to everyone so that those who are really excited about the prospect of a team building day can be a part of organizing the event.
Once the committee has been put together, involve employees by asking them to give their input about various aspects of the day - what should the theme be, what food should we serve, what do you expect to see at the event? This will help everyone feel like they are playing a role.
For more ideas to make your teambuilding event a success, contact our team of professional team bonding consultants today.
