There are countless options for corporate events designed for “team building” — but not all deliver equal results. The best events allow for what we call “Team Connecting” — our version of team building focused on creating genuine connections between employees.
Connection sounds easy to come by. But if it isn’t intentionally planned for, your corporate events most likely won’t build more meaningful relationships. They’ll just feel like “filler” — events that check a box on your culture-building list.
Events like baseball games, happy hours, and scavenger hunts seem like they should automatically nurture connection. Most of the time, they fall short. Here’s why…
Taking The Easy Route With Baseball Games and Happy Hours
Many team building events are well-intentioned but don’t put enough thought into fostering real interactions. In fact, many companies choose the easiest options — those that require the least effort to plan. For example, a baseball game or happy hour doesn’t require much coordination beyond securing tickets or a location. However, they often miss the mark for encouraging deeper connections between people who don’t interact day-to-day.
Baseball games are a fantastic way to spend time with people you already know well. However, they’re less effective as a team connecting activity. Seats are in a line facing the field, the music is loud, and interest in the game varies. As a result, team members will most likely end up talking only to the people sitting right next to them.
Happy hours tend to leave people right where they are — both literally and figuratively. Employees who are socially extroverted will benefit most from the looser atmosphere. Those who are more shy are likely to stay in one place and only engage with people they already know. There’s no structure to push anyone out of their comfort zone — and these types of events might feel fun, or might not.
With both examples, there’s a chance employees will feel unengaged or even unimportant. That’s in stark contrast to why companies throw these events in the first place.
Scavenging for Connection
Scavenger hunts require more planning and offer a unique way to compete with colleagues. However, even when done extremely well, they don’t allow for interactions across departments or teams. Employees spend the day racing around with the few people on their own team. They might never see another team — let alone chat, collaborate, or have fun together. If you want small groups to get to know each other, this might be a great option. But if you’re looking for broader benefits across an entire department or organization, scavenger hunts may also disappoint.
So, if all the corporate events we discussed don’t help create connection, what’s the solution?
Having Fun Equals Connectedness, Higher Productivity, and Beyond
It’s not just Gen Z’ers who are focused on having a job they actually enjoy. Many studies reveal employees who have fun together are more connected and productive in multiple areas.
According to Indeed.com, creating a fun workplace:
- Reduces employee absences
- Improves employee production
- Improves communication
- Fosters collaboration
- Promotes creativity
- Improves motivation
- Increases employee satisfaction
- Improves employee task performance
Fun has an important role at your company, even if it’s not part of your core values.
We Make Fun Easy
We understand planning something “fun” with the added pressure of creating connection can feel daunting. That’s where Grin Events shines! We use games as the vehicle to usher in all the benefits of fun we just mentioned. And, our team connecting events engage all of your employees right where they are, no matter their personality type or proclivity to games.
We have a menu of professionally hosted games to choose from, including in-person and virtual options.
- Game Show (virtual or in-person):
- Leisure Games
- Game Night
- In it To Win it (virtual or in-person)
- Field Day
- Sand Castle Wars
- Do-It-Yourself Events
Let Grin Events Foster the Fun
At Grin Events, we love helping businesses find ways to connect their employees through fun.
Contact us to get the fun started today.
- Email: smile@grin.events
- Website form
- Phone call: 619-972-4746 (we would love to talk to you live!)
