We are often told that we run the best corporate days our clients have ever been on. Much as that is great for our egos and does wonders for the morale of the instructor team, we often forget to ask that all important question, ‘Why?’ as we try to get out of the hanger squeezing our over-sized heads through the door.

This is a subject we have discussed at length this week and we think that we have finally landed on the answer: we don’t take ourselves too seriously.

We don’t have much of a choice in that, to be honest- what with Bella, the lab puppy and newest recruit arriving and causing chaos and destruction everywhere she chews since Christmas. Added to that the number of would-be comedians counted within the instructor crew, but who could take what we do too seriously. Don’t we just have the best ‘big boys toys’ jobs there are?

Our discussion landed us on one particular crunch point: our most successful corporate team building days are those where the teams don’t feel like they are having a day at the office but with more mud. Activities that overtly aim to draw in leadership lessons or practical takeaways are less powerful, less fun and thus the effects are less long lasting. Simply spending time together, outside the norm, sharing the experience of tank driving gives the chance to work towards a common goal- beating the other tank teams! This all enables bonding to happen more organically and therefore far more efficiently.

Ditch what you always do!

There are countless studies linking happiness and learning. We feel good when we learn something new; when we accomplish something we’ve not done before. Trying new things with your team can generate good feelings and develop bonds between colleagues, providing benefits for the business that last far longer than the mud under the fingernails! Choosing something unique and slightly outside of you employees’ comfort zones can encourage them to come together in new ways.

Gag your inner David Brent

If your employees start re-running old episodes of The Office when you announce the next Corporate Team Building Day, you need to change the agenda! It’s one thing laughing at David Brent dancing on the TV, but a real-life taste of an awkward, try-hard leader who thinks they are rather special is not conducive to a worthwhile day out.

Despite its reputation for being a bit try-hard, a bit lame, team building is one of the most important investments you can make for your people; an opportunity to build trust, to resolve conflict, improve communications and increase collaboration. Engaged, effective teams are great for company culture, boosting profits and recruitment! Walking into a happy, content, united office has a certain aura about it- those heading in for an interview will feel it!

However, and most importantly, a team-building day should be, and can be, FUN!

Save or Splurge

So, this requires a mindset change. A Paradigm Shift for those fans of Covey. Team building days are not a splurge- they are an investment. Whatever your budget, this money being put aside in your budget is a good move. Your team will feel appreciated, the experience of driving a tank around a track and shooting paintballs at the tank driven by the MD and the FD will be unforgettable and your team will all feel like champions at the end of it- from a day our in the fresh air at the very least!

The next step: keeping the momentum.

Team building can fall flat if the corporate away day is a one-off, never mentioned again activity. The challenge after the fun is to keep the fire stoked, to keep the memories alive. Photos on the wall in the staff room or canteen, on the tea mugs for people’s desks, using anecdotes from the day on briefing sheets, huddle notes, or whenever a group is brought together. Encourage the team to talk, share their experience and build on these. Getting the team to create their group, or individual goals- inside and out of the office: completing a Race for Life, learning a new language, reading a list of novels, alongside profit driving workplace goals.

How do we know that we get team building or corporate away days right here at Armourgeddon?

That’s simple. The sound of laughter, the slapping of backs, the hugs, high fives and volume of selfies, that’s how we know. We know they will love it! We know that the phrase ‘Do you remember when we were in those tanks and..’ will reverberate off your office walls until the next time you come to visit!

To book your corporate away day, in the first instance, give us a call on 01858 880239 and speak to one of the team. We can create a variety of different agendas depending on your time, your number of participants and your budget. We look forward to hearing from you soon!!!