It is common to hear from companies asking for team building programmes
without knowing exactly what they want. When asked the
persons-in-charge
for the programme, they often replied, "We want a fun team building
program that can gel our team." With that limited information, it is
often hard for our team building consultants to advise appropriate
activities from the programme. For those who are selling you with a
single activity that fits all purposes, you may need to caution about
what they say.
Not focusing on the objectives and the desired outcomes of your team building can be disastrous. Your time and effort may be wasted even though the team building programme was considered "fun". This is because your employees take back with limited learning.
The following are some of the factors you should seriously consider before asking for particular activities to be included in your teambuilding programme.
1. What is your organisation's vision, mission or goal?
Team Building programme must be aligned to your organisation's goals and objectives. Therefore, it is a good start to look at them first. For example if your organisation mission statement is:
"To provide exceptional service to WOW! our customers through speed and reliable information"
The theme of your organisation's team building programme should revolve around "good services", "responsiveness" and "reliability". It will be pointless to talk about "creativity", "change" and "power struggles" as these are not the topics that will contribute to your objective.
Choosing the right theme for your team building programme can help your employees to have the right attitude after attending the course and develop a good understanding of the roles they play that are contributing to the organisation's goals.
2. What are the current issues that you would like to highlight during the team building programme? Your desired outcome(s).
Teams go through different phases of team development (forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning). At each phase, your team may require different skills and knowledge to help them perform better at work.
If trust among colleagues is an issue that you are facing, perhaps, choosing a team building activity that highlights the importance of trust building would be more relevant. Your team may fall apart if you choose a wrong activity that encourages competition, for example, a laser gun shooting game. Competition reduces trust and may end up developing office politicking. Of course I am not suggesting laser gun shooting game is no good. It can be a good learning for management team while doing their corporate retreat or getting a sales team to be more aggressive and street smart in selling.
3. Where is the location you would like to conduct your team building programme
Choosing the right venue for your team building programme is crucial for the types of activity you planned for. If the programme is outdoor-based, make sure that there is big enough sheltered area nearby that you can use as well. Heavy thunder storms are common and unpredictable in Singapore. In case of wet weather, at least you still have a space to carry out some indoor activities. Previously, we had encountered companies that insist booking outdoor venues (like public parks) on their own without considering sheltered area for wet-weather. In the end, the entire team building programme had to be cancelled because of heavy rain throughout the day.
A resort or hotel would be ideal if budget permits. Most of these venues come with gardens, poolside or roof-top areas that are great for outdoor activities. These venues also come with function rooms that are ideal for indoor activities and wet-weather programmes. Avoid falling into trap where you get cheap and small function room and packed 50 people in rows like canned sardines. Comfort and room space should be considerations for learning and interaction purposes.
Alternatively, you may like to consider restaurants and pubs that are located in parks and beach side. Make sure you don't choose a very popular restaurant that is packed with customers during your team building programme. If possible try to get a restaurant can be partitioned for your private event or a pub that operates only in the evening.
Always survey your potential training venues and discuss with your trainer to avoid unnecessary disappointment and inconvenience.
Team building in overseas venues have different requirements and consideration. We will discuss in the next article.
4. What is the size of the class?
Class size determines the amount of investment, venue and trainers / facilitators required for the team building programme.
Logically, the bigger the size, the more investment amount would be. You will need bigger venues, more trainer and co-trainers. Ideally, a class size of 20 - 40 requires only 2 to 3 trainers to run the programme. The ratio of trainer to participants should be kept at 1:24. From here, you should be able to do your simple arithmetic calculation in training fee that you have to pay.
However, if you are planning for activities like Amazing Race or Treasure Hunt, then the number of trainers may increase even if you have only a class size of 20. Logistically, such activities require more trainers at various locations to ensure safety and provide guidance.
If your team building is indoor-based, make sure that the training room is big enough to fit in tables and chairs for discussion sessions. Squeezing many people in neat rows is not best way to conduct indoor team building. It reduces interaction and may turn your team building into a lecture / talk rather than a fun team building session.
5. What is your budget?
At the end of the day, it is all about the dollars and cents. You do not want to burst your budget with the most lavish team building programme, having the best food and venue just for a day of bonding activity. Team building is a continuous process. It should not stop after the event. It takes the commitment and effort of everyone to make it happen after the programme is over.
Do not feel shy about asking for lower investment value as long as your request is valid and not asking for the sky. Any good trainer with right conscience and good heart, will tweak your team building programme to fit your budget and yet achieving the objectives you want.
Tell us your requirements and considerations. Our team building consultants are always open with their listening ears to ensure your team building is a successful and meaningful one.