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Teams aren't built in a day. They're not rafts.We've adapted some of our "team building" sessions for outdoor and/or socially-distanced environments, allowing you and your team to get together in a safe way- always in accordance with the latest government guidelines.
Our sessions are perfect for reconnecting your team. Give us a business challenge and we'll run or design an exercise that tackles relevant themes and replicates the day-to-day tasks the team undertakes. It's always fun, always relevant, hands-on, and builds relationships in ways that raft building never could.
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Going virtual?
Check out our Virtual Team Sessions page here. |
Looking for exercises you can run yourself?
Our Workshop-in-a-Box Toolkit is available now! |
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THE PAPER ELEPHANT (10 mins)
A short starter exercise that levels the playing field and gives everyone a bit of fun! There’s also absolutely no pressure to be good at it…because we’re all starting from scratch. We’ll ask everyone to grab a piece of paper, put it behind their back and tear out the shape of an elephant…no peeking. Half of the fun is in watching everyone’s faces as they complete the task! Who can make the best elephant? zero balancing (10 mins)
An “alternative” way of getting your body and mind working together. On one level, it frees up the “energy pathways”, by tapping on acupuncture pressure points; on another level, it’s just a silly series of actions that will wake you up, switch you on and prepare you for the day. THE PERFORMER'S WARMUP (10 MINS)
Have you been talking for a long time? Is your voice getting tired? Or are you just wanting to get everyone ready for the day? These quick head, jaw and shoulder exercises, as well as vocal warmups, taken from a professional performer’s routine, will relax your speaking muscles and ready your voice… YOU'RE LIKE ME, BECAUSE... (20 MINS)
The group is presented with a number of random objects (think a can of baked beans, a cricket bat, a pen, a bunch of flowers, a lemon, etc.). Everyone has to align themselves with the object with which they most identify- no matter how tenuous the link is. Tell us your story… HANDS UP, HANDS DOWN (5 MINS)
A quick-fire exercise that starts from common ground and gradually refines the group down to a select few that have an interesting story to tell. “Put your hands up if you’re on this Zoom call…keep your hands up if you’re sitting in your office…keep your hands up if you have a cup of tea…” COMMONALITIES (20-30 MINS)
Outside of working for the same company, what do we have in common? This exercise builds relationships within the group based on commonalities outside of the business world and gets out some great stories. 1,2,3,3,2,1 (15 MINS)
This exercise looks at knowing when to act and knowing when to be still. It requires concentration, intuition and observation skills to pre-empt and react to the actions of your colleagues. One person raises their hand for 10 seconds, then puts it down. Two people then do the same. Then three… SHAPE DESCRIPTION (15 MINS)
How good is your imagination and ability to follow instructions accurately? This exercise will put you to the test. We’ll describe a combination of shapes, which, put together, form a picture. Your task? Draw exactly what you’ve heard and try to be as accurate as possible… BEHOLD! (5 MINS)
This involves a lot of hilarity and good humour. We’ll shout a statement that has to be brought to life by specific groups of people. E.g., “Behold! Everybody in Spain has spaghetti for arms!” or “behold! All the men here are paranoid about their ears!” Your job is just to respond in kind… 30 SECONDS TO FIND... (20 MINS)
You, at home, have 30 seconds to find something that fits the criteria we announce: most niche utensil, biggest mug, stupidest thing you can stir a cup of tea with, brightest object, something that represents your town or country…go! |
WARM-UPS,
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EXERCISES:
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THE PACKED LUNCH EXERCISE
Think making a sandwich is easy? Each group is to document the process and procedure in making a sandwich, using only the materials provided. They must document the process and procedure themselves, then use someone else's documentation and follow the instructions...exactly as written. Looks at:
treading on eggshells
Teams are given the task of transporting a set number of eggs, safely, without breaking them, from one side of the room to the other, overcoming a number of challenges. To do this they have to write a detailed, but easy to follow process, bearing in mind time, cost, quality and safety at all times. Looks at:
the pitfall challenge
Teams are given the task of constructing a network, avoiding pitfalls along the way. Exploring the complexities of process, budgeting and delivery, it requires teamwork, an attention to strategy and an awareness of the consequence of decisions. Looks at:
the sands of time
This exercise looks at how to plan and deliver a schedule of work within a tight allotted timescale. It requires flexibility and for teams to adapt quickly, sticking to their plan whilst the goalposts keep changing... Looks at:
the risk and reward challenge
Teams are given a time-sensitive task, involving constructing and dismantling a structure, with each team member facing restrictions on what they can and can't do. How far do you push yourselves? How do you work together safely under pressure? Looks at:
personal impact card game
This card game examines the balance between wellbeing and the environment when it comes to travelling to work. With the profile you are given, which decisions do you make about your commute to work, and which pressures do you listen to the most? Looks at:
the perpetual hand-off
A fast-paced exploration of how workloads can be shared amongst a group of people successfully, if everyone on the team looks out for each other, and knows when and how to play their part. Looks at:
the customer service challenge
This exercise looks at how processes and paper work can multiply unnecessarily, making tasks complex and worsening the customer experience. It also explores the role that attitudes and behaviours play in any service interaction. Looks at:
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THE PATH OF CHANGE
A team exercise that looks at how teams cope with uncertainty when undertaking a new venture, how they plan and strategise together- and adapt and deal with change when it happens. Looks at:
THE CHAOTIC SYSTEM
This game allows groups to learn about strategy and working together as a team - by using awareness, looking out for those around you, being able to be more objective from a distance, and the balance between proximity to a problem, and fitness to act in service of solving that problem. Looks at:
the personal styles matrix
This exercise encourages people to consider their own personal style and how it can change under stress or in challenging circumstances, considering how they respond to external factors. Looks at:
social styles matrix
This session explores your "social style", the preferred way in which you wish to be communicated with and your default state, considering the two axes: assertiveness and responsiveness. Looks at:
Ghosts, blockers and champions
Exploring your working relationships with other team members, the roles they play for you and the impact they have on your success. Are they a ghost, a blocker or a champion? Looks at:
THE COMMUNICATIONS WORKSHOP
In this light-hearted session, we examine the tiny elements that influence how we do– or don’t– get along with other people, breaking down individual components and testing them out on each other in an entertaining and engaging way. Looks at:
Commonalities
Outside of working for the same company, what do we have in common? This exercise builds relationships within the group based on commonalities outside of the business world and gets out some great stories. Looks at:
GUESS WHO?
Much like the title suggests, this involves working out who’s who. The team are independently asked a series of questions (favourite film, item of clothing, best memory, etc.) and their answers recorded. The answers are then released to the wider team and throughout the event, attendees are given the task of matching the answers to their fellow team members. It’s harder than you think! |
EXERCISES:
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EXERCISES:
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THE IMPROVISATION WORKSHOP
Most people do not consider themselves imaginative, creative, or able to make something up on the spot. This activity shows what you can achieve if you allow your imagination free rein, always say “yes” and have the support of others. Looks at:
find your treasure
This session is a team treasure hunt with a difference: the treasure is the knowledge you gain from others on your team. Find objects and tell stories that represent you, your team and your business...wherever you can find it on your treasure hunt! Looks at:
The storybook challenge
This session is fun, creative and always features lots of laughter! We'll give you a story (think classic literature, films, plays or even pantomime) and your team will have to work together to tell part- or all- of the story. Top marks for creativity, collaboration and your willingness to get stuck in... Looks at:
game changers
This free-form features emphasis on willing participation, letting go of established behaviour and remaining open to possibilities. We invite groups to discard the learnt behaviour of adults and embrace the wild imaginations of the children they once were- by creating a game from scratch. Looks at:
the art of business
Teams are given the task of representing their team, function, business- or even their journey over the last months or years- in art form. What you use is up to you, but it must tell your story... Looks at:
The upcycle challenge
Given a pile of recycled materials, some tape, some glue and their best know-how, each team has to build a vehicle that will be raced. Prizes for the fastest, most ambitious and the design that looks closest to the design sketched out on a piece of paper… Looks at:
THE ART GALLERY
Like The Art of Business session, this is a creative exercise, but it’s far more personal. Your task is to find an object, picture or structure that you believe represents you, your journey and your contribution to the organisation. Think of it as a time capsule- how will you be remembered? Write up the artist’s notes, create your display and we’ll tour the “art gallery” together. NEWS BULLETIN
In the style of a tongue-in-cheek newsroom, teams are tasked with telling the story of the event in their own way, ready to replay to the rest of the group. This could involve pictures and screenshots they’ve taken of the event, notes and reportages from other attendees, and even interviews! Bonus points for any team that gives the best news-show presentation. |
Face-to-face team building FAQs
Yes, as long the event is for 30 people and under and in a Covid-Secure venue. The Department of Media, Culture and Sport has confirmed, on September 22nd 2020, that business events and business gatherings of up to 30 people can still go ahead under government guidelines, in a venue which is Covid-Secure and with a risk assessment carried out.
We have adapted our face-to-face exercises to comply with social distancing guidelines of at least 1m plus, but 2m plus where possible. You are very welcome to wear masks during the session/exercises at all times, and we would recommend you doing so.
We have reduced the use of all physical handouts, exercise notes and materials where possible to avoid cross-contact. Some will be displayed in a larger format instead for group exercises, e.g. exercise rules, and we can also laminate any other handouts for wipe-clean and disinfectant purposes. We will work with you if handouts are required to ascertain the best way of getting these to attendees- e.g. to be printed at the venue, in your workplace or even at home.
We will only partner with Covid-Secure accredited venues at this time and will adapt for their individual safety policies. We will conduct our own risk assessment for the exercises in advance of the event and discuss this with you.
We have reduced the use of all physical handouts, exercise notes and materials where possible to avoid cross-contact. Some will be displayed in a larger format instead for group exercises, e.g. exercise rules, and we can also laminate any other handouts for wipe-clean and disinfectant purposes. We will work with you if handouts are required to ascertain the best way of getting these to attendees- e.g. to be printed at the venue, in your workplace or even at home.
We will only partner with Covid-Secure accredited venues at this time and will adapt for their individual safety policies. We will conduct our own risk assessment for the exercises in advance of the event and discuss this with you.
We totally understand that with a constantly-changing environment during the pandemic, you may need to cancel or postpone your event.
Our new Terms and Conditions now reflect your options if you need to do so.
Our new Terms and Conditions now reflect your options if you need to do so.
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Got a question for us? Please get in touch.
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Download our Team Building brochure as a pdf here:
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"The evening team challenge activity was really enjoyed, I’m sure you could tell by the way everyone threw themselves into it! A welcome fun element after a lot of thinking during the day."
- Learning and Development Partner, global construction firm
