Team building trends: less lunches, more action

Ten years ago, corporate team building tended to fall into two camps. One: the long boozy sedentary lunch which usually ended with hangovers and gossip around the water cooler the next day. Or two: slightly awkward games of trust in a dull conference venue. 
Fast forward ten years, and team building sessions are seeing staff dangling from zip lines high over Waiheke, doing hot laps with professional racing drivers, and choppering out of town for a day of heli-fishing.                                  

Proven improvement in performance and employee engagement 
Team building exercises can improve employee engagement and loyalty, while having direct impact on the bottom line. AON’s 2015 Trends in Global Employee Engagement reports that companies that achieve a 5% increase in employee engagement report 3% higher revenues the following year. Engaged employees are 87% less likely to leave their companies than disengaged companies, according to a study by Officevibes.com. And a 2012 Gallup report showed that half of employees with a best friend with a best friend at work say they have a strong connection to their company. Nationally and internationally, companies are beginning to invest more in this area. The UK, for example, is seeing record growth in companies investing in team building events and staff days. In the 12 months to March 2016, spend doubled to £305 per employee. 
Here in New Zealand, Auckland-based Heletranz helicopters have noticed a huge increase in the business of corporate events, client activations and team building. “Heletranz has grown its corporate experience and event organisation by 47% over the last 24 months months,” says Heletranz Cofounder Sofia Ambler. “The upcoming season, which normally kicks off in September and leads up to Christmas, is the busiest we’ve ever been.” Ambler says this growth is fuelled by companies looking for the ultimate team bonding experience. “Heli-fishing to Great Barrier has been a long-standing favourite over the last 28 years. To cater for the trend for collaborative, interactive experiences, we’ve just introduced a corporate package which includes heli-fishing followed by a gourmet BBQ cooking up the catch while cruising back to the the Viaduct on a large charter boat.”

Also proving popular recently – Kauri Bay Boomrock, where clients can do everything from taking over the controls of a helicopter, to clay bird shooting and extreme golf. “A team bonding event is a great way to reward employees, clients and business partners,” explains Ambler. “Good events can boost loyalty and help improve productivity and performance, promoting togetherness and team work in the office or work place. Of course a fantastic lunch or dinner is an integral part of the whole experience, but these days that’s just one o of many elements. An inspiring location and challenging activities are now essential, and deliver real benefits to the company. Plus, they make for a day out that staff will talk about for a long time to come.” 

2016’s top team building and corporate entertaining trends 
Interactive experiences 
Rather than sitting back and having the entertainment provided, staff are now getting into the action themselves. They’re experiencing new activities and sometimes, such as with the Ecozip flying fox ziplines in Waiheke, challenging themselves to go outside their comfort zone. 

Bespoke event locations 
Going off-site is an outdated concept. More and more companies are literally going off-shore, helicoptering their staff out of Auckland and over to an island, top fishing spots, or waterside luxury lodges. This generates a unique team atmosphere in which companies can inspire, celebrate, educate and motivate their employees. Outdoor locations are increasingly popular, with research showing that being outside can have a positive impact on the mental wellbeing of staff. 

Social media 
All the unique team building experiences are being captured and shared on social media. Some companies are creating Facebook pages and Instagram accounts specially for their corporate days out. This increases the bonding amongst the staff, as well as increasing their sense of connectedness with the company. The company can also see the feedback live, so they can assess how successful the event has been. 

Gen Gen Y employees driving demand 
This growing section of the workforce, more than any generation before them, are seeking experiences rather than material rewards. They respond to outdoor challenges and interactive events. They want to use social media to show their friends the fantastic, different, exciting company they work for.