TEAMBUILDING

The changing role of teambuilding

Teambuilding has never been so important or faced so many new challenges as in the current environment of remote work, disconnected teams and deep concern about global and personal issues. Covid-19 restrictions have forced this industry, whose sole purpose was to bring people together, to adapt and create new ways of interacting and meeting the needs of the new norm.

By Barry Futter, managing director of Adventure Works.

Virtual experiences have come a long way from the initial events. What we have learnt is that the key to a successful event is to encourage interaction and participation. There are some incredible visits to game parks and cooking shows available but unless you are actively participating and learning something then it is like watching a YouTube video.

You need the team to be as present as possible, creating and contributing at the same time and not watching a recording later. Our most successful event has been a Virtual Amazing Race around the World, where teams follow instructions in a race book that sends them to amazing locations on Google Street view where they have to find out interesting facts, answer questions and take creative photos. Participants will also take their teammates to locations where they have had an incredible experience and share a short story about it.

This fun, competitive event allowed people to experience a sense of travel, the 360 imagery is incredible, and to bond by sharing stories about themselves while learning about their colleagues.

A Virtual Escape Room has also been a very popular game as it encourages the team to think out the box to decipher codes, search for clues and find patterns while unravelling a story of Rescue the Boss or finding the vaccine. We have also noticed the desire to learn something through a fun and interactive event which has given rise to our Race to Zero: Climate Change Challenge. As this issue becomes a bigger and more pressing topic facing the world today, we find that more corporates are waking up to the fact that they need to educate their staff about what is happening in the world while illustrating the companies’ environmental actions and policies.

This game simplifies what may be an overwhelming topic and motivates people to share ideas and take action

by visiting spectacular locations around the world and showing the incredible initiatives being undertaken by governments, cities and individuals that make a significant difference.

Virtual Teambuilding has shifted from something to do instead of all getting together, to being a useful tool for connecting nationwide or global teams in a powerful, quick and effective manner. This affordable way of building team cohesion and strengthening company culture is also effective as a quick connection in between in-person events. Virtual events are here to stay!

As restrictions ease and people are feeling more comfortable getting together in person, we have noticed some common themes coming through in our requests.

Fun

Teams would like to connect through fun, competitive activities that build excitement and a sense of unity through purpose!

Chill

People have been through a lot of emotional turmoil, hard work and uncertainty. They are looking for a lunch on a wine farm or beautiful location where they are able to participate in some leisurely lawn games such as Giant Scrabble, Jenga or volleyball, all while chatting to their colleagues.

Building Resilience

Given the emotional rollercoaster of the last two years we are receiving many requests where teams learn useful skills in dealing with stress and anxiety but in a lighthearted manner. We have developed virtual and in-person events that utilise breathholding techniques, body awareness, body language and role playing that generates laughter while learning an incredibly powerful tool. We have also been running mindfulness hikes as an interactive way to get the team into a beautiful area while doing something amazing and learning mindfulness techniques.

Quality

Employers would like to reward teams for their hard work and commitment through this challenging time with great experiences in amazing locations. Amazing Races through the winelands, stopping to sample award winning wines, cheese and other scrumptious goodies while competing in fun challenges has proved extremely popular.

Now, more than ever, there are so many great ways to unite your team through a wide variety of virtual or in-person activities that will create a sense of belonging, a positive mindset and a commitment to the company and their colleagues.

Who is Barry Futter?

Barry Futter is the managing director of Adventure Works. During Barry’s 21 years in the tourism and events industry he has helped bring thousands of people together through fun, adventure and the beauty of Cape Town, where his team at Adventure Works run their events. His passion for people is only rivalled by his passion for the outdoors.