Travel incentive programs like corporate retreats are a great way to motivate employees, reward loyalty and effort, and create a more unified workforce. It makes sense to incorporate them into your overall plan for success for your company. However, one aspect of planning retreats that is immensely important and should not be overlooked is choosing the right mixture of activities for the retreat or incentive trip.
Although traveling is something nearly everyone loves, a successful trip full of team development, growth, and fun experiences is only possible with the right event activities. This blog will look at how to choose the right mix of activities for your next team retreat and learn why you should consider MTI Events for your next retreat:
Set Your Purpose
Before exploring the specifics of the type of activities you should aim for, it’s helpful to set your purpose ahead of time. Activities can have a variety of purposes. Some are purely for fun, some require teamwork to succeed, and others set team members up to compete against each other. The purpose of an activity might be educational, teaching all the participants a skill or problem-solving strategy they can use when back in the office.
Before beginning the process of choosing activities, ask yourself what the overall purpose of the activities is. There might even be more than one, and that’s okay. One team activity might have several purposes, and that’s even better. Then, once the overarching purpose is defined, consider more tips for choosing the right mixture of activities on a team retreat or incentive program trip:
Understanding There is a Difference Between Team Bonding and Team Building
At the outset, the terms team bonding and team building might be used interchangeably. However, they are different in some ways. For example, a team-building activity might focus on improving team or even individual skills, building up the skill level. Activities like this might include being out in nature, a bit isolated, and having to complete a task together.
Team bonding will occur when activities are centered around improving the group chemistry, which will, in turn, enhance the bond between employees or team members. This form of activity would not necessarily have team members competing against each other, but instead focus more on all learning something together or enjoying something fun or even a bit challenging or scary together.
Some Activities to Consider for Corporate Team Retreats
Our services at MTI Events can help you facilitate the right mixture of activities to achieve any given purpose, even if it’s just to have fun. The following are some popular activities you might want to consider adding to your corporate event itinerary:
Scavenger Hunt
This is a great activity for a wide variety of corporate events. It can entertain but also challenge, and instantly bond the people working together to figure it out. In a vacation setting, it can even be taken off campus or outside the event headquarters, involving going into local towns and learning more about the surrounding culture. This is a good activity when mobility or activity levels vary, as team members can use cars, ATVs, or other means to get around in order to solve the clues.
White Water Rafting
Many locations offer some type of whitewater rafting. This unique activity is one that many employees haven’t tried before. Even if they have, each river offers its own unique challenges, so everyone will be learning together. Rafting takes concerted effort by the entire boat to succeed, which makes it a great team-building activity.
Golf (or other sport)
Golf is typically seen as a great team-building activity. Other sports, such as tennis or pickleball, are also great options. At MTI Events, we offer corporate golf retreats that provide a variety of golfing challenges for employees to enjoy. Any activity that allows team members to compete against each other, even a tug-of-war contest, can be fun.
Taking a Class
Although not often considered a standard part of a corporate event, taking a class together can be a great team-building activity where employees learn something new together. This could include taking a painting, cooking, an exercise class, or more.
Relay Races
This type of activity is always fun and can fit into a variety of situations. For example, a beach setting might include a kayak relay or a relay that puts teams against each other to reach one side of the beach and complete a task before the other team.
Trivia Games
This type of activity is particularly ideal if team members vary vastly in age or physical ability. Trivia can be done in teams, individually, or one against another. It can include trivia based on a certain industry or field, or questions about the employees. As an added bonus, employees can learn things they didn’t know before about their coworkers.
Zipline or Rope Course
Last but certainly not least, ziplining or a rope course can also be a great team-bonding experience that is loads of fun. This activity teaches teamwork in many ways, challenges participants, and even forces them to face a fear (heights) head-on, which builds character.
Consider Your Team and Create a Good Mixture
The physical abilities and preferences of the participants will limit the choice of activities. However, even if some employees can’t participate in all the activities, it’s still important to have a good mixture available for those who can, while still offering alternatives.
This ensures that everyone who comes along has something they enjoy doing.
If team members are hesitant to try these activities, consider motivating them by offering prizes for a job well done or even offering participation rewards. Sometimes, individuals have to be lured out of their shells to try something new, but when they do, they will feel accomplished and proud of themselves for giving it a go.
Contact us and let us help you plan your next corporate retreat event and create the perfect balance of fun activities.
