ostering team spirit through fun and relaxed moments, which encourage the creation of bonds between colleagues, is important for all organisations, regardless of the work model implemented. It is essential for companies that work remotely (so that they can hang out and get to know the faces of their colleagues without a screen in between), for those that work with a hybrid model (and, above all, after the pandemic forced the people to keep a social distance) and also for those who receive employees daily at the office (since the relationships that are established outside the office, in a more informal and relaxed context, are very different).
The result of these activities - which do not necessarily have to translate into a heavy extra cost for organisations - can be surprising and very rewarding, with direct effects on people's level of engagement. Studies say that organisations with higher levels of engagement are more productive, there is greater motivation and commitment, improvements in well-being and, consequently, a lower turnover rate.
“When done correctly, team cohesion activities are a great opportunity for employees to get to know each other better. Managers can organise special events, activities or schedule questions to 'break the ice' and foster greater camaraderie among team members", suggests Adecco, a company that specialises in human resources.
“When done correctly, team cohesion activities are a great opportunity for employees to get to know each other better. Managers can organise special events, activities or schedule questions to 'break the ice' and foster greater camaraderie among team members", suggests Adecco, a company that specialises in human resources.
Coverflex has put together a set of seven ideas for team building activities that you can put into practice with your teams, which will surely become more united and harmonious.
1. Workshops
This is perhaps one of the simplest activities you can organise. You just have to choose the theme of the workshop and book it. From gardening to body language or painting, there are plenty of options. We suggest, for example, a cooking workshop. It can be fun, useful and even contribute to the development of certain skills at work.
Weat Gastronomic Hubs has several team building actions which goal is to provide good moments and fun to the participants, but not only that. “We want them to generate tangible results, increasing the productivity of the companies that promote them”, says the company. “Quick thinking”, for example, is a team building challenge in Lisbon in which participants only learn what they are going to cook at the moment of cooking. The group is divided into teams of two or three and each one receives a recipe on their smartphone and has a certain time to cook it. “Each team has to organise itself to divide tasks and carry out the various steps of each recipe, on time and with quality”, explains Weat Gastronomic Hubs.
“Quick thinking”, for example, is a team building challenge in Lisbon in which participants only learn what they are going to cook at the moment of cooking. The group is divided into teams of two or three and each one receives a recipe on their smartphone and has a certain time to cook it. “Each team has to organise itself to divide tasks and carry out the various steps of each recipe, on time and with quality”, explains Weat Gastronomic Hubs.
There are several companies spread across Portugal that offer this type of activities. Do a quick search, choose the theme and think about what kind of experience you want to offer your employees.
2. Retreats
Retreats are another idea you can try with your team. You can simply rent a house in the countryside and spend a weekend with colleagues, doing activities together to get to know each other better and strengthen bonds. You can also make a more specific retreat, with a common goal.
At Primal Gathering, that goal is simple: plant trees to regenerate the Portuguese forest. Founded by Nicole Bosky, it is a movement based on collaboration and respect for nature and others, which promises to “leave people and places better than the way we found them”, says Nicole Bosky. It's a win-win. Restoring forests, by planting trees, and at the same time restoring human relationships, weakened by individualism, screens and the fast pace in which we live. In this retreat, it's time to slow down, put your hands on the ground and reflect.
At Primal Gathering, that goal is simple: plant trees to regenerate the Portuguese forest. Founded by Nicole Bosky, it is a movement based on collaboration and respect for nature and others, which promises to “leave people and places better than the way we found them”, says Nicole Bosky. It's a win-win. Restoring forests, by planting trees, and at the same time restoring human relationships, weakened by individualism, screens and the fast pace in which we live. In this retreat, it's time to slow down, put your hands on the ground and reflect.
3. Video games
If you are thinking of doing something totally different, with a common goal that involves all people but using gamification, this game may be what you are looking for. It was developed by a Portuguese company, Bee Academy, the academy of Bee Engineering, and is called “Bee Kind”. It is a team building game that aims to strengthen the connection between co-workers, while helping a solidarity cause.
The game was first tried out by Bee Engineering's 200 employees and, in this case, the “trophies” reverted to União Zoófila. All together, they went through several stages and, having successfully completed them all, managed to gather the funds stipulated by the company to buy food and toys for the animals, and deworming products. The idea can now be bought by other companies and the product is fully customisable. You can choose the charitable cause to which you want to contribute, and it can be played by a company with any number employees, as there is no minimum or maximum limit for number of participants. Also, the game can last for a few hours or several days, andit can be played on the computer or on a mobile phone.
4. Contests
Still in the sphere of games, another suggestion that we give you is to organise competitions between teams. Many companies did it during the confinement period in Portugal, to create moments of relaxation among colleagues, but this is one of those practices that you can perfectly keep doing with some regularity.
Still in the sphere of games, another suggestion that we give you is to organise competitions between teams. Many companies did it during the confinement period in Portugal, to create moments of relaxation among colleagues, but this is one of those practices that you can perfectly keep doing with some regularity.
Millennium BCP took this idea very seriously and organised the “Millennium Trivial”, a contest that could even be a television program. It had a presenter, a series of contestants and even a joker, and all of them were bank employees and managers. Questions, right and wrong answers, and scores. The goal of the activity, which was carried out via video call, was to increase people's involvement and strengthen their commitment. “This approach between the bank's employees, through a light and fun program, aroused smiles, sharing and, of course, increased the motivation of the group and made people feel like they belonged”, says Rita Pio, communication officer at Millennium TV and presenter of this contest.
5. Sports activities
Whether in competition mode or just for fun, another option we give you is sports activities. Fitness, yoga or dance classes that you can even organise inside the office premises, if you have there's enough space. For example, create a dance group on Tuesdays or a yoga group on Fridays.
You can also go even further and organise a rock climbing, trampoline or padel session outside the office. Encourage people to do sports and you will see that, probably, some of them will even maintain this habit with their colleagues.
6. Trips
If your budget for team building activities is higher, organising a team trip can be an interesting option, whether within the country or abroad. There are some travel agencies that organise the entire itinerary, the activities to be carried out and the accommodation. You only have to decide the destination of the trip. It will surely be an experience that your employees will not forget.
7. Community garden
Finally, we suggest- if you have an office - that you set up a community garden. Natixis, Microsoft and Porto Business School (PBS) are some of the companies that have already done so and that guarantee the success of the initiative. They used the terraces of the buildings to install urban gardens, in which lettuce, tomatoes, spinach, onions, and so on are planted. And the farmers are the employees, who take a break from work to go up to the terrace and get their hands on the soil. A moment of relaxation, which is useful to disconnect from the fast pace of everyday life and connect with nature.
Noocity is one of the companies that provide this type of service, mainly installation and maintenance of the community garden and also the implementation of an entire program of activities for employees. “The gardens allow teams to work very well from the point of view of human relations. People go out into the street, are together and manage to create very strong bonds. Under a team building logic, it is really very impactful”, says the CEO and co-founder of Noocity, José Ruivo.
