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Team Building activities are an excellent way to foster a culture of teamwork, improve productivity and create stronger links among employees.

Having highly qualified staff is not a guarantee that a company will reach its objectives. It is very important to take into account the human side of people, that everybody shares the same values and of course, it is essential that they are well integrated as a team. 

In order to motivate employees and achieve that bond and commitment which the performance of the company will depend on, it is advisable to put in place the following team buliding activities. Are you already aware of what this entails?

In this article you will discover how to put into practice team building strategies to obtain the best results. So if you are ready to boost the productivity of your team, keep on reading to discover   how team building can benefit your company. Read on, as in the following lines we will explain it to you.

What is team building?

Team building is a system whereby different activities and games are used, in order to help with the construction and cohesion of teams of people promoting communication, collaboration and the group work of the team members. 

Thanks to these activities, the participants learn to work together, strengthening the links between them and building a better work culture. The desired result is to improve productivity and the performance of a working group.

As the European School of Management sets out, 40% of staff obtain better results when they feel more committed to their work groups. This has led to the creation of the corporate technique of team building. This is a tool to foment team spirit among employees by means of activities organized by the company. The main objective of this technique is ultimately teamwork.

Using this tool, companies will achieve huge benefits with their staff: they will be more motivated, which will increase their creativity and productivity, they will feel a greater sense of belonging to the group, they will create more bonds with their colleagues and will improve their communication skills. 

Who created team building?

The first time that the importance of forming work groups to improve the development and performance of a company was talked about was in the book “The Group Mind” by William McDougal between 1920 and 1930. Later, it was Elton Mayo who focused on studying the relationship between a good working atmosphere and productivity;  Namely, when the worker feels content in his company, his productivity increases.

10 Team Building dynamics for team working

Depending on the target to be reached, we can find activities to integrate new team members in order to foment strategic thinking, to work side by side etc. There are many different types of them but here we will show you the three most creative team building activities. We offer 10 fun and exciting team building activities for you to implement in your company. 

1. Team leader: In this game, a leader is chosen for each team. The teams have to work together to complete a specific task. The leaders will meet together to coordinate the actions but the rest of the members of each team will never see the team members of the other team. The objective of the game is for the leader of each team to guide their colleagues through the task, which will help them to learn how to work together to reach a common objective. 
   
2. Employee getting to know you game: Breaking the ice with your coworkers in the office is often a rather difficult task as you never know where to begin the conversation. In order to do this, a very useful activity is for each person to write down anonymously, three adjectives which define oneself or one´s hobbies. Subsequently, these papers are distributed among all the employees who have to guess the person in question.

3. Building a robot: This team game calls for the members of the group to work together in order to build a robot. This will help them to learn how to work together to achieve an objective as well as developing creative thinking skills. 

4. Overcoming a challenge: Here we can find several types of activities such as organising an escape room or sports activities which require decision making and having an affective bond with colleagues. 

5. The rope game: In this game, the members of the team are joined by a rope. The aim is that they all work together to complete a task such as passing below a bar without letting go of the rope.

6. Word game: In this game the members of the team are required to work together to complete a task. The team members are divided into two groups and they receive a list of words. Each team has to work together to think of the best way to use the words in order to create a story or poem.

7. Obstacle race: The teams have to work together to overcome different obstacles and reach the finish line. This activity fosters cooperation and communication between the members of the team.

8. The thief game: In this game the teams have to work together to collect the greatest number of objects possible and take them to a safe place before the thief finds them. 

9. Treasure trove: This activity involves the hunt for objects via a series of clues, riddles and problems. This activity encourages creativity, collaboration and teamwork.

10. Role play: This activity calls for the teams to exchange roles to work together in order to complete a task. This activity promotes collaboration, flexibility and creativity.

As you will have discovered, there are lots of fun team building activities to break the ice with your employees. Do you know any others? What is your favourite one ? 

Picture: MD Duran on Unsplash

Having overcome the most agressive scenario of the worldwide health crisis, many companies have returned to their corporate activity, generating face-to-face acts and events where the necessary safety measures are taken to preserve the health of all the attendees.

Many others, however, have discovered in a virtual environment a way to hold large-scale events at a lower cost, thus exploiting to the full the possibilities offered by the digital framework.  

As opposed to the tradition of the face-to-face event and the trend towards digitalization also found at large-scale events , hybrid events are increasingly establishing themselves on the MICE scene as a way of merging two concepts which do not necessarily clash. In addition, they involve a meeting of the more classic users who prefer a direct, in-person contact and the new model of worker who has grown up with the current digital structure.    

What is a hybrid event ?

A hybrid event aims to join together the best of the in-person and online modes. They fuse a real and digital interactivity thanks to two different ways of approaching the needs of the user. On the one hand there is a schedule to organise the in-person part and another for the digital part as well. Both finally come together in the same concept.      

What advantages does a hybrid event offer ?

This type of hybrid event is capable of adapting itself to the needs of the users and of accommodating a wider age spectrum. A greater number of users can be reached in a more economical way and the experience can be personalised depending on the type of user. It is also capable of internationalizing the action at a  lower cost without sacrificing the needs of those companies who do wish to or are able to attend in-person.  

All of this implies the possibility to be transversal not only in traditional-digital or old-new concepts but also in local-international , large-small, or economical-premuim.

MICE events are increasingly evolving towards these types of hybrid events, where the advantages of face-to-face and digital unite to reach a public which is more and more heterogeneuos and segmented.

Picture: Luis Quintero on Pexels

Sports marketing and corporate events related to sport are one of the most effective means of making an impact on the public, and where brands can get the maximum out of their creative potential.

Sport is one of the most popular and cross sectional activities in the world. It embraces a wide range of the public , from the most active in a minority sport with a very exclusive social component, almost tribal , to a generalist public watching the World Cup or the Euro Cup on televisión.

What is sports events marketing?

The marketing of sports events is that of staging activities related  to the sport where a brand presents an action in a real scenario for spectators who attend the live event. This confers on it a special singularity which transcends the conventional message and which contains these key premises.

• The physical presence of the target public: The public to whom the action is directed are physically present , in time and space. Currently, with the new forms of digital communication, the public can also have a digital presence, the space being a social network. We will see subsequently some examples of this. 
• Immediate feedback: People form an active part of the celebration and therefore may interact with what happens in the event.
• A golden opportunity to educate: Generally speaking , people do not like the feeling that they are being treated didactically when the aim is to sell them something. Corporate events are however, one of the few contexts where the public is willing to learn. 

What benefits do these types of sports marketing events provide ?

An event is a unique opportunity to make an indelible impact on the memory of a group.It establishes an emotional connection which goes far beyond a marketing campaign or conventional publicity as it transcends the limits of what is commonly held to be a comercial relationship. 

• Establishment of a direct connection with a user or potential user of your brand.

• Generates the opportunity to have direct and lasting communication with the user. 

• With a face to face event , we presuppose a pior willingness on the part of the receiver to receive the message 

• It implies taking on an active role in the reception of the message and therefore the capacity of subsequent memory is far greater. 

• It generates a now permanent link of having lived a common experience 

Examples of sports marketing you can use with your brand

We present below some examples of sports marketing events a brand can stage.

Some of them may be costly but others can be held with a smaller or larger budget, depending on necessities.

A press conference with a sportsperson

Many brands have opted for the presence of a sportsperson at their events.Generally, a conventional  press conference with that sportsperson attracts numerous media and fans who wish to hear their words.The setting, as opposed to the conventional press room of the team, is a corporate scenario prepared with the complete presence of the brand. 

A competition or sporting event

The organization of tournaments, competitions or fun days associated with some type of sport are also common. A basketball game in the street, a fun run …

A Fun Day

Our attendees may not be high level sportspeople. So we can also put on fun days with simple games requiring a moderate physical activity. This option is ideal for staging in large private enclosures. 

An unusual challenge

A common thing is to achieve notoriety through some type of individual or collective challenge which represents a milestone . Getting together a number of people in a large enclosure carrying out some kind of activity usually provides very enticing images for the media connected with the leisure activity or sport.

Real examples of sports marketing events

All through the modern history of sports events marketing, there have been many examples where brands  have managed to connect with the user on a far superior level than that of conventional publicity, creating experiences in unique scenarios which have remained in our memory.

Consequently, we are going to make a brief review of these kinds of events , with examples of marketing in sports events , which have made a mark on the public and can serve as inspiration for managing your brand or your clients.

Kipchoge´s challenge with Nike

In 2019 , the runner Eliud Kipchoge tried to go below 2 hours in a marathon run. He did it through a Nike event , wearing of course , the latest model of Nike shoes : Nike ZoomX Vaporfly. All the  fans could see him run through the streets 

Red Bull Stratos

In 2012, Félix Baumgartner made the highest parachute jump in history.He did it by jumping into the void from an aerostatic capsule from Earth´s stratosphere.Falling from a height of 39,000 metres and without air resistance before entering the atmosphere,this Austrian parachutist broke the sound barrier during his fall, being the only man to achieve this without  motorised equipment.The brand Red Bull sponsored this parachuting event which had a worldwide impact. 

Even though this event did not have the physical presence of the attendees, it did obtain tremendous attention on social networks, where the whole world followed and commented on this great feat.

Adidas Tango League

Two events held in Barcelona and Madrid with more than 500 exclusive attendees provided the starting gun for the Adidas Tango League, an amateur indoor football league organised by the German brand.

This event also included the presence of Leo Messi to present his new Adidas boots and it brought together several of the most famous Youtubers of the moment to play an exhibition match which was broadcast live on social networks. 

Usain Bolt runs against a taxi in Peru

The brand Puma put on a large scale event in the streets of Peru where the fastest sprinter of all time, Usain Bolt, faced off against a taxi. 

The event was followed by a crowd of people who turned up at the site of the race to attend the showdown.They all recorded it with their mobile phones.

Transform and surprise to engrave on the memory

As you can see, although sports marketing events of huge magnitude can be staged,  imagination is what  makes the attendees remember your event as something exciting. 

Good examples of sports marketing events must know their audience.With precise information about tastes, preferences and aspirations, the event has all the ingredients to be a resounding success.If we know exactly who it is directed to, we will also know how to surprise them.

Picture: Kym Ellis on Unsplash

There are ever more entities that integrate the organisation of corporate events into their 360 marketing strategies.Company events have the capacity to work as an integrating element when they are actions on an internal level , and to foster relationships with clients and associates when they are done externally. 

Within the whole  that we refer to as company events , different acts exist which offer benefits to the organising company in the short, medium and long term and which pursue different reactions.

Let us define first , however , the concept of a company event so we can subsequently define the types.  

What is a company event ?

A company event is a corporate act whose objective is to communicate a message , either in relation to  a product , service or the brand, or to generate a feeling which will later result in the participants carrying out a particular action. 

Types of corporate events

Within the spectrum of existing corporate events we can differentiate between them depending on their nature and the objectives they pursue. 

Let us consider some examples of these types of corporate actions.

Product or service presentations.

A product presentation is a company event whose aim is to introduce a product or service to its clients, partners or staff of its own company. 

They may be presided over by the figure of a presenter chosen from this type of professional sector  or it may be a member of the company who directly assumes the functions of master of ceremonies.The principal benefit would be to make the products and services known so that they can be presented, accepted or acquired by the audience present at the event.

Press conferences

A press conference is a corporate statement whose objective is to communicate a message to the media.It is a face to face event where the message is communicated , having previously invited media representatives so that they will subsequently spread the message.  

Showrooms

A showroom is a space in which a brand or a company concentrates its offer of services or products in order that the participants can see them in person. It is a concept which is used particularly in the fashion sector, although it is true that it has become standard practice for the presentation of other types of physical products such as electronic goods . 

Roadshow

Roadshows are itinerant events repeated in several places so as to reach a large number of people. They allow users from many different locations to have a physical presence in a setting created by the brand in order to display their products or services.

Gala dinners

Gala dinners or lunches are corporate acts which revolve around a table.They can be the culmination of one or several sessions of an event, or alternatively , the central pillar of the promotion.They are generally conceived as acts to establish positive personal and professional relationships in a festive but demanding atmosphere.

Team building actions

The actions of Team Building are celebrations designed to improve the performance and work relations between workers.They are most often based on games and recreational activities which foment specific attitudes considered positive in a working environment.They are also effective for transmitting a company philosophy and transferring it to everyday actions between workers.

Shareholder meetings

Shareholder meetings are acts of an internal nature where the annual results are presented to the owners and shareholders of a company or organisation.  

Main picture: Headway en Unsplash

All good company events to be proud of have two fundamental components. It is the combination of both aspects in the area of MICE Tourism which turns  the organisation  of one or several professional sessions into a success. 

One of them is the professional aspect. A MICE event which offers professional value to its guests is a memorable event.The other is leisure or fun.If we not only contribute professional value but also get the visitor to have a good time then the event will be unforgettable.   

Therefore it is always important to invest in locations which have an ample offer in the area of MICE tourism.Imagine that your clients or workers enjoy an event held in the Grand Luxor Hotel & Village and wish to do some tourism in the region.In that case, we offer you this brief guide to charming villages on the Costa Blanca.

Let us take a look at the options to get to know the local culture,buy excellent souvenirs and relax in the most idylllic settings.

Which villages to see on the Costa Blanca to enjoy an  unforgettable trip

Although its coastal location and pleasant year round climate make practically all the region an ideal setting for any tourist from the MICE sector, we will talk about those charming little villages of the Costa Blanca which stay in our minds and are the most representative.We are always at the disposal of our client, through personal consulting to recommend other additional destinations.

Altea, one of the delights of the Costa Blanca

Altea is, without any doubt,one of the prettiest villages of the Costa Blanca.

Its white houses, cobbled streets, and the romanticism bestowed on it by the many local artisan boutiques , make it into something special. Our recommendation is to wear comfortable footwear and lose yourself in its streets while you easily make your way to the best viewing points. 

The villlage of Altea is also outstanding due to the great quantity and quality of its restaurants, both for international and typical Spanish Food. Its excellent climate allows the use of the many restaurant terraces  for year round dining.

Denia, top level gastronomy in a port environment.

Denia was declared Creative City of Gastronomy by the Unesco. It is one of the places with the best gastronomy in Spain,having numerous Michelin Starred restaurants.

There is nothing better than to taste the famous red prawns in its restaurants , although we can also find excellent tapas places. 

We also suggest taking a look at its cultural and gastronomic programme.This town, with two sports marinas and and a fishing harbour , has managed to conserve its old fishing quarter very well. It also boasts a castle with impressive panoramic views and the possibility to practise an endless variety of sports activities.    

Calpe , one of nature´s marvels

To talk of Calpe is to talk of its imposing Rock of Ifach , a spectacular natural space which rises 260 metres above sea level. It is a protected space with its own vegetation and fauna which can be seen from  tens of kilometres away  

The town of Calpe is the ideal place to enjoy the beaches and its historical legacy , strewn with marvellous cafés and restaurants where you can enjoy the sea breeze.The Baños de la Reina , more than 2000 years old , is an ideal place to bathe in the summer months and to feel in contact with nature.   

The salt flats of Calpe is one of the most beautiful natural spaces of the región and can be visited on a simple walk wearing comfortable footwear.It is an excellent opportunity for bird spotting.

Benissa, where to enjoy the best coves and beaches

Another place where we advise you to bring a  swimsuit  is Benissa and its surroundings , such as Poble Nou de Benitatxell, with a great variety of beaches and coves, all of which are truly photogenic.Besides that, we can  enjoy the water in different ways with the available options for hiring catamarans  and other boats , or practising a water sport like diving and experiencing the impressive seabeds.  

Let us dedicate some time to discovering the historical medieval centre of Benissa, one of the best conserved in the region.There, we will also find excellent museums such as the Salvado Soria Space for contemporary art, the exhibition rooms  of the Centre d’art Taller d’Ivars or  la Seu Universitària la Marina.If our visit coincides with one of the local festivities we will also have the advantage of discovering its music. 

Pilar de la Horadada

Is the southernmost town in Alicante, but we will see that it is worth visiting when we witness its extraordinary sunsets , enjoy its beaches and discover its fortressses and Roman quarries.Nearby, there is also a golf course and attractive routes for hiking in the hills and valleys which are a must see and easily walked. 

What other villages are there to see on the Costa Blanca ?

We do not want to forget about other towns and villages on the Costa Blanca that are not to be missed , for example the beaches and coves of Jávea and Moraira, and the island of Tabarca, visible from the south of the province and which thousands of visitors travel to every year using the many boat routes available.  

As you can see,the Costa Blanca is a magnificent area to celebrate corporate events, boasting an infinite variety of leisure and  MICE tourism options.At the Grand Luxor Hotel & Villages you have at your disposal the ideal facilities ! Come and celebrate your event with us !