Team building this year? Yes!

You will surely be surprised by this assertion, knowing that the economic and employment situation is difficult because of the entire crisis left by the COVID 19 pandemic.

These kinds of activities are being forgotten or overlooked nowadays. They may even sound absurd: how can we spend our precious budget on an activity to strengthen the team when things are so difficult? And yes, they have a point. Companies are counting every peso because of the uncertainty prevailing nationwide, and our first reaction may be to see team building as a waste of money.

But do you know something, dear reader? It is quite the opposite. Now is the time to invest in strengthening your employees and working relationships. Consider that we have spent between 3 and 5 months “at a standstill” or away from normal work activities—almost half a year because of the pandemic. Some stopped 100%, some adopted remote work, some work staggered schedules, and others even lost their jobs. All of this has affected everyone's morale. Sociologists speak of unmistakable signs of behavioral changes: sadness, depression, frustration, weight gain, isolation, irritability, etc. Now think about your employees: how have they suffered or experienced the pandemic?

This is directly related to the income, security and peace of mind your company provides its staff. Yet even so, there is no denying its impact on morale and performance. This is therefore the perfect time to boost team morale, close ranks, use new channels of contact and communication to offer reassurance, and signal the start of the renewed momentum we need as a society and a country. Tell your staff that everything will be all right, that you need their effort and commitment to get through the pandemic, and that together we can go further and return to the “new normal” in the best possible circumstances.

Just think it through carefully and talk to your trusted provider about how to deliver the team building. You need to keep new participant health and safety considerations in mind: maintain the familiar physical distancing, wear face masks, avoid contact and exchanging objects, hold the activity outdoors whenever possible with plenty of space, and consider individually packaged, personalized meals. Or try new options such as virtual team building. Today's technology offers a wide variety of possibilities; the rest depends on the consultant's creativity, versatility and the passion they put into each exercise.

This is the right moment to plan team building. What next? Evaluate providers. It is not about playing for its own sake, taking people paintballing, arranging flag football, rowing or horseback riding simply because you can. The provider should offer a unique solution tailored to your specific needs:

What are the goals you wish to achieve with the team building?

What areas for improvement do you see in your team?

What are the strengths and weaknesses?

What paradigms do you perceive among employees?

These are some of the essential questions every team-building designer should start with. If you are being offered standardized solutions—the same package for 20 people as for 200, with the same timing, games and settings—and there is no reflection between activities or verification that the concepts being addressed are progressing and strengthening the team, then, dear reader, you would be better off holding a fair with rodeo clowns, event hosts and entertainment staff. Your investment will have better results. But let's be clear: that is not team building, and it will not strengthen team members or create synergy among them.

However, if you want to maximize and strengthen your employees’ skills in a collaborative, team-oriented environment, say no more: we can help. Write to us; we will be happy to hear from you and assist you: contacto@jesussanchez.com.mx

Rock´n roll people!