Corporate team building activities only become a success for a business enterprise when the main stakeholders, namely the employees and participants, actually want to get involved in the process.

When any employer imposes rules and regulations on their staff, it is far less likely to be sustainable because it is seen as an obligation rather than an approach that delivers quality outcomes for all parties.

The challenge that lies for owners and managers is a clear one: how do they achieve buy-in from their people? The concept might look good on paper, but getting people to throw their hat into the ring is another issue altogether.

We will outline some of the strategies that members can use in this context.

Outline the Need for Team Involvement

Attempting to get everyone to buy in with corporate team building activities will be made all of the easier when there is a recognition to drive towards collective outcomes and develop a sense of a team identity. These actions can be geared around employee bonding, improving the channels of communication, enhancing problem-solving measures and tapping into creative thinking. It is only through these types of games, challenges, projects and tasks where that kind of progress is made, facilitating a better workplace environment in the process.

Outline the Need for Personal Involvement

Corporate team building activities are designed for collective groups, but there are individual benefits that flow on from that initiative. Mental health measures are improved. There is less anxiety and stress involved. When participants have an outlet to relax and be themselves, it is amazing how that helps professionals who need that support.

Provide Examples & Case Studies

There is no question that the rollout of corporate team building activities may not be a smooth one. In certain situations there is reluctance, apathy and even pushback in some cases. This is where employers and managers need to outline some real life case studies, demonstrating how they have worked in similar industries and environments. If they see evidence for themselves, that can be a perfect catalyst for community involvement.

Mix Between In-Person & Online Ventures

Businesses that want to encourage more participation and involvement with these team building exercises are helping their own cause when they integrate an accumulation of in-person and online exercises. Thanks to digital technologies through a variety of devices, there are no barriers to engaging these ventures via the web.

Encourage Participation of Ideas & Concepts

Corporate team building activities essentially act as a blank canvas in this regard. They could be as informal as a morning coffee chat, a puzzle, a trivia game, a virtual tour, a board game, trust exercises, icebreakers or anything else that takes the fancy of the group. What gets discussion flowing? What peaks the interest of people in the workplace? What are the shared interests and what will help to generate creative thinking? Give them the foundation to develop their own frameworks.

Make Scheduling Flexible

What can turn people off the idea of corporate team building activities will be strict scheduling measures. While most people will adhere to these approaches, it helps when there is no obligation tied to the process as individuals are encouraged to join in at a time that suits them. That loose platform has delivered better outcomes when it comes to volunteering for the activity.

Ensure People Have Fun!

Corporate team building activities should be fun. If they fail on that front, they are failing their objective. This is not about delivering on work projects or commercial obligations. It is about creating a genuine team environment that will have positive knock-on effects for the business around productivity. Focus on the fun component first and then the rest will follow.