| Not all companies have team development for their | | | | A scavenger hunt can give people the chance to get |
| workers, and depending on the managers, this may not | | | | to know their city a little better, as well as their work |
| be needed. However there are many large companies | | | | and team mates. The teams should not be too large, |
| with departments that do not know one another, that | | | | as that will defeat the chance for people to get to |
| could work better if they understood the work that | | | | know one another, and may mean that some |
| others do, and if they all learn to work together, for the | | | | members just tag along and are not really involved |
| good of the company and ultimately for the good of | | | | with the activities, but you do have a lot of options for |
| everyone working there too. | | | | this, and plenty of ways to have a theme related hunt |
| Team development is something that is often | | | | if you wish. |
| overlooked by companies, especially in these tough | | | | Then you could all take a class together, maybe |
| economic times, but they need not take up much | | | | learning archery, or some other activity that not too |
| company or personal time, and they do not have to be | | | | many people have tried before. This gives everyone |
| expensive activities either to be successful. Simple fun | | | | the chance to have a new experience together, and if |
| activities can pay off dividends, with better | | | | it can be an activity that needs team work then this is |
| communication between departments, staff that know | | | | even better. |
| one another a little more than at present, and a happier | | | | Obstacle races are good for this, and they can be |
| atmosphere in the workplace, as employees feel more | | | | indoors or out, depending on your location and the time |
| appreciated. All these benefits can result from a | | | | of year. Twists can be added to the obstacle course |
| couple of hours out of the office perhaps, doing some | | | | so that team members do have to cooperate and |
| fun activity that mixes up groups, putting department | | | | help one another. After all the idea behind this is team |
| members on different teams, so that everyone gets | | | | development, so it's only right that there should be |
| to know other members of the company that perhaps | | | | some cooperating, and communication in the team |
| they have never even met before. | | | | building activity. |
| By having a couple of fun team building activities a | | | | There are many more idea that can be used to |
| year, that perhaps only last for a couple of hours at a | | | | promote teamwork, but one of the neatest I have |
| time, you can help improve the atmosphere in any | | | | seen is run by a company specializing in team |
| company, and the productivity level too. Staff will feel | | | | development, and there are many of these companies |
| more appreciated, which means that they will in all | | | | around, all offering different programs for all sorts of |
| probability work better, and perhaps even harder for | | | | different needs. Anyway, the activity that caught my |
| the benefit of all at that workplace. | | | | attention is the drum program, where every company |
| So what kind of team building activities do work well | | | | member is given a drum, and then as a team you are |
| for most businesses? Fun non-stressful activities are | | | | taught how to produce a masterpiece of sound using |
| recommended. There can be enough stress in the | | | | the drums. Isn't this a great idea? I wish I had thought |
| work place without adding any more to it! And your | | | | of it, but imagine how powerful a program this is. |
| employees probably deserve a little down time. Now, | | | | Working in groups, there is plenty of practice time, and |
| obviously the type of event planned will depend a | | | | plenty of time to communicate too, with some very |
| great deal on the size of the company, and the | | | | impressive results by the end of the session. |
| logistics involved in getting everyone together. | | | | I think this works well for a few reasons. Firstly there is |
| Taking a few hours off the work week can work | | | | no pressure on anyone, because it is something that is |
| very well, and act as a reward, provided the team | | | | new to most, and it requires very little to produce |
| bonding activity is fun! | | | | sound of a good quality - not like singing which would |
| Team building activities should involve as many people | | | | never work like this! It is a neat activity for everyone to |
| from the company as possible, and many businesses | | | | try, and a talking point for years to come I am sure. |
| have found that scavenger hunts work really well. | | | | Imagine feeling a part of this, and this is the feeling that |
| Each team contains a member form each department, | | | | is wanted, all the employees feeling part of this |
| so that it is a social time to get to know members | | | | wonderful experience, bonding and having fun. |
| from these other departments while having fun. The | | | | Fantastic! |
| idea of a scavenger hunt can easily be adapted to | | | | Now obviously this is something that you cannot run |
| your needs, but one that works well is to use cameras | | | | yourself, but it may just get you thinking about what |
| to take photographs of the whole team, excluding the | | | | activities you could use to get your company workers |
| photographer, at particular locations or in certain | | | | feeling closer and like they belong to a family. |
| situations. For example, the whole team may have to | | | | When this happens, it will make a big impact to the |
| find a bike store, and have their photos taken there. | | | | quality of work that is done daily, an impact for the |
| Or they may have to go to a used car lot, or the public | | | | better. Sop get thinking, and brainstorming, and see |
| library. The options are endless. But by taking | | | | what will work for your company to build a closer |
| photographs of the complete team, it reduces the | | | | company, and a better atmosphere in the workplace. |
| chance of cheating, and you may find some people | | | | Team development can play a big part in building a |
| willing to cheat! You can set any time limit you want | | | | successful team business, if you let it - make sure it is |
| for this hunt, but it needs to be a realistic time for them | | | | in yours! |
| to get everything required. | | | | |