Are you bored with run-of-the-mill teambuilding programs?

As corporates get more sophisticated and employees are hard pressed for time and results, much more is expected of teambuilding programs. The benefits of corporate teambuilding programs are fairly obvious: increased productivity, improved competence and increased cohesion between groups.

However, what is often sorely missing in many current teambuilding offerings is the lack of purpose in relation to workplace. Sure, the participants can have equally lots of fun and bonding at a bowling session, a night out at the pub, a car rally or a treasure hunt. These are good opportunities to de-stress, to lighten up, and to recharge while letting the hair down.

Can we get better value other than just fun and games? Some of the common complaints from corporate management, the paymaster for these activities, where the transference and relevance to current workplace conditions comes in.

Similarly, from the employees’ perspective, they would ask: What do these programs teach? Yes, they are demanding that teambuilding program ought to do better.

Differentiating between recreation and purpose
It is not difficult to draw the line between recreation and purpose. However, wouldn’t it be great if we could have both?

Here are just two factors to assess premium teambuilding programs with purpose:
1) What is the level of customisation of the program to reflect current corporate conditions?
2) Does the program raise the level of corporate and personal development awareness?

Higher order teambuilding programmes
Teambuilding should be a daily activity for any organisation, not something we do occasionally. Before I am accused of stating the obvious, my intention is to raise the expectation of what a higher order teambuilding program ought to achieve.

It must provide a better sense of what is happening around us, a heightened awareness of purpose or mission, and one that aligns personal wants and needs to that of the organisation. At the bare minimum, any out-sourced programs must offer higher quality returns than what in house capabilities can deliver. In order to achieve a purposeful and an enjoyable experience, some key elements should be factored in:

1) Detailing the reason for the teambuilding exercise
2) Level of customisation that is relevant to current organization challenges
3) Providing a stimulating environment which involves all senses
4) Quality of reflective facilitation

Detailing the reason for the teambuilding exercise
Right at the beginning, too often, the lack of more specific objectives will lead to a generic run-of-mill program and bland results. It will be far more productive if the company is able to internalize what some of the current challenges, conditions and issues that the teambuilding program can address. This process will lead to more in-depth understanding of the desired event objectives.

The more the program can be applied to the current conditions, the more the participants can benefit from it. In the same respect, a single-focus yet engaging activity will have better impact than several activities all running at the same time. In many cases, it may conflict with the common purpose of many organisations, which is to stay focused.

Customisation for more relevance
With the right scenarios and game play, participants will resonate with greater vigor when connecting the fun and games with current corporate environment. Particularly during the reflective moments, participants will be able to better apply the metaphors used in the training programs to their work situations.

Clearly, care and effort taken in this area by the program organiser will pay off greatly, as, if nothing else, it gives due respect to the participants time and intellect.
In general, employees do care about their workplace and seek active involvement to bring about better results. So, the right level of customisation is critical.

Stimulating the five senses
The quickest way for participants to be engaged is a simulating environment which leaves them no choice but to get involved. Big wide open spaces will provide the natural tendencies to have a wider perspective of things which can relate to the need to focus on the big picture. Natural condition like a mountain top, beach area or lots of greenery, provide a certain ambience to calm tension and stress, and brings back the natural rhythm in the flow of things.

Quality of reflective facilitation
In an ideal situation, a skilled and mature facilitator will explained the ‘madness’ behind the methods of the activity so as to resort the integrity of the teambuilding program. Explaining the different simulations along the whole process will bring home the relevance of the experience.

Beyond the group cheers and the high-fives, it is that penetrating experience that will bring about a different perspective, a heightened sense of awareness, and a new can-do spirit that will last long after the program is over.

Alvin Lee
Beautiful Minds
www.castlescanfly.com