There’s no denying it. Whatever industry you’re in, teamwork is crucial. In fact, 75% of employees believe that teamwork and collaboration are the building blocks of any successful business.
Team-building activities for work strengthen bonds, improve communication, and foster unity among team members. 78% of employees want to work in more supportive environments, and team-building activities can help ensure your staff feels part of a close, trustworthy community.
Coordinating travel for these activities can be challenging, which is where Roomex comes into play, with a comprehensive selection of workforce-suitable accommodations, negotiated rates, and seamless integration with Trainline for cost-effective journeys.
In this blog, we'll explore the benefits of corporate team-building activities, the four key elements of their effectiveness, and nine unique activities your staff won't forget.
TL;DR
- Team building activities improve communication, higher morale, increased productivity, and stronger team dynamics.
- Embracing the 4 C's—Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, and Camaraderie—helps teams achieve greater success together.
- From murder mysteries to corporate retreats, there's a wide range of activities to suit every team's preferences and goals.
What are the benefits of team building events?
Want to boost team morale, deliver on deadlines, and increase productivity? Team building activities can be the making of your corporate team. Here’s why you need to add company away days, team-building exercises, or even a company retreat into your yearly calendar:
- Out-of-the-office socialisation can improve team communication by up to 50%. So, if you want your team to work better together, with less conflict and more productivity, book some team-building activities.
- Improved communication leads to more open channels within the workplace, which means better collaboration and idea-sharing among your colleagues.
- Higher morale is a key benefit of team-building activities, with employees feeling more connected to their colleagues and their work. This boosts your staff retention levels and helps reduce staff turnover. Employees who feel a sense of belonging are 54% more likely to stay in their jobs.
- Increased productivity is another advantage, as team-building activities encourage collaboration, problem-solving, and creativity.
- Stronger team dynamics are also promoted, as team members build trust and camaraderie through shared experiences and challenges.
- Understanding each other's strengths, weaknesses, and working styles leads to greater cooperation and performance within teams.
What are the 4 C’s of team-building exercises?
The 4 C's of team building—Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, and Camaraderie—serve as the foundation for building successful teams and achieving organisational goals.
Communication:
Communication is the cornerstone of effective teamwork—it’s key for sharing ideas, giving feedback, and coordinating tasks. By creating open and transparent communication channels, you can resolve conflicts quickly and make informed decisions.
Collaboration:
Collaboration encourages individuals to work together towards common objectives, leveraging each other's strengths and expertise. Your team will accomplish more by pooling ideas and creativity, than they could individually.
Creativity:
Creativity facilitates problem-solving and helps your staff adapt to whatever their roles throw at them. Encouraging creativity within teams allows for the exploration of new ideas and approaches, leading to innovative solutions and competitive advantages. When challenges crop up, a creative team can rise to meet them.
Camaraderie:
Camaraderie builds trust and mutual respect among team members, creating a supportive and inclusive work environment. When individuals feel valued and connected to their colleagues, they are more motivated to contribute their best efforts towards shared goals.
Embrace these 4 Cs of team building to empower your teams to achieve greater success together. Roomex supports this journey by simplifying the organisation of team-building activities, enabling you to focus on developing these essential skills and strengthening their bonds.
Do team-building exercises work?
While some may be sceptical, evidence supports the effectiveness of team building exercises. The case studies below from Tax Scouts shows team away days improve communication, trust, and collaboration. In short, well-designed activities can lead to stronger teams and better business outcomes.
Case study: Tax Scouts visit Elmley Nature Reserve
Tax Scouts, a rapidly growing company post-Series A funding, wanted a corporate retreat to boost familiarity among new team members—including a new CEO—while reinforcing company values and vision.
The company secured a non-corporate venue in nature, located near London, UK, for their business retreat. It designed a structured program of activities designed to bring the team together.
Results:
Pre- and post-off-site surveys showed significant improvements:
- Team familiarity increased by 76 percentage points.
- Clarity on company values rose by 40 percentage points.
- Understanding of company direction improved by 35 percentage points.
Types of team-building activities for work
There’s an impressive variety of team-building options to suit your preferences and goals. Team away day ideas include traditional exercises like problem-solving challenges to unconventional approaches such as outdoor adventures—the possibilities are endless.
Your team-building exercises are likely to encompass one or more of the following categories:
- In-person (offline) activities—things like outdoor adventures, workshops, sports, and retreats.
- Virtual (online) activities—think virtual escape rooms, team challenges, and remote workshops.
- Icebreaker games and communication activities
- Collaborative problem-solving challenges
- Trust-building exercises
- Physical activities and outdoor adventures
- Networking events
- Creative sessions
- Cultural exchanges
- Social gatherings
Nine unusual team building activities:
1. Murder mysteries (online or in person)
Budget required: Varies (from low budget to mid-range for in-person events)
Unleash your inner detective with a thrilling murder mystery experience, whether online or in person. Teams work together to solve a fictional murder case, analysing clues, interviewing suspects, and piecing together evidence to identify the culprit. It’s fun, and it promotes teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. It’s also an effective way to get people who don’t usually work together, working together.
Whether it's a virtual whodunit or an immersive live event, murder mysteries provide a unique and memorable team-building experience for all participants.
2. Dragon’s Den (online or in person)
Budget required: Low budget (can be done virtually or in your offices, with a small prize for the winning team)
Teams pitch their innovative business ideas to a panel of "dragons" (judges), who evaluate the feasibility, creativity, and potential of each proposal. This activity helps develop creativity, strategic thinking, presentation skills, and teamwork, as staff collaborate to develop compelling pitches. Whether conducted online or in person, Dragon's Den offers a fun and interactive way for teams to showcase their talents and entrepreneurial prowess while strengthening bonds and boosting morale.
3. Cooking or cocktail classes (online or in person)
Budget required: Mid-range (some in-person events may be pricey, dependent on venue, activity choice, and how many cocktails your team makes and consumes!)
Teams learn to whip up delicious dishes or craft signature cocktails under the guidance of expert chefs or mixologists. If your team is remote, they’ll be sent ingredients or samples to use on the day. These interactive sessions promote teamwork, creativity, and communication as teams collaborate to follow recipes and experiment with flavours. Whether it's mastering a new culinary technique or concocting the perfect cocktail, cooking or cocktail classes provide a fun and hands-on corporate team-building experience that gives everyone something to talk about for months to come.
4. Blindfolded cook-off
Budget required: Low to mid-range. You could use the canteen facilities in your offices.
In this fun activity, teams work together to prepare a dish without sight, relying on communication, trust, and teamwork to succeed. Blindfolded cook-offs promote collaboration, problem-solving, and effective communication under pressure. Participants develop a deeper sense of trust and camaraderie as they navigate the kitchen blindfolded. It’s one of the more fun team bonding activities and definitely a memorable team-building experience.
5. Yoga class
Budget required: Mid-range (you’ll need to hire a teacher and venue—or join an online class)
Whether in person or online, yoga sessions offer a holistic approach by promoting relaxation, mindfulness, and physical wellness. Participants release stress, improve focus, and enhance their overall well-being while developing a sense of unity and support within the team. Yoga classes encourage connection and camaraderie, making them an ideal choice for a refreshing team-building activity.
6. Outdoor adventures
Budget required: Varies (a walk in the local nature reserve could be free, whereas a customised, overnight survival skills course can be pricey)
From hiking trails to survival challenges, these activities encourage collaboration, communication, and problem-solving in a natural setting. Participants bond over shared experiences, conquer challenges together, build resilience, and create lasting memories while enjoying the great outdoors.
7. Adrenaline fixes (indoor skydiving, climbing walls, rafting, and more)
Budget required: Mid-range to pricey
These exhilarating experiences push boundaries and encourage teamwork as participants support and cheer each other on. From the rush of free-fall to the challenge of scaling a climbing wall, adrenaline-fuelled team-building exercises build confidence, resilience, and trust within the team. You’ll strengthen bonds, learn more about each other, and discover depths in your colleagues you never knew were there.
8. Group volunteering
Budget required: Free to low budget
Whether environmental cleanups, community service projects, or charity initiatives, volunteering as a team builds a sense of purpose and helps your staff feel good about giving back—all the while boosting your company's CSR commitments. Group volunteering promotes teamwork, empathy, and leadership skills while strengthening bonds and morale within the team.
9. Corporate retreats
Budget required: Pricey (dependent on the location and number of away days you choose)
Company retreats don’t have to be long or overseas—you could spend two days in a local city or nature reserve—but the change of scenery and team focus can lead to increased morale and productivity upon return to the workplace. Participants engage in workshops, team-building activities, and social outings, improving communication, collaboration, and creativity in a relaxed setting.
Wrapping up
Incorporating unusual team-building activities into your company calendar helps build stronger team bonds, boosting morale and productivity.
Organising your next team away day is easy with Roomex. Take advantage of split ticketing with Trainline for the best-value train fares and make cost savings of up to 12% on accommodation bookings. Reservation checks provide full peace of mind, ensuring that bookings are confirmed and any additional needs, such as flexible check-in, are taken care of.
