Team building mistakes

Team building mistakes to avoid: a quest example

Team building refers to exercises designed to push your group toward greater effectiveness. The objective is to promote group productivity; you want to encourage behaviors that will ultimately improve your KPIs. What is important is to learn about team building mistakes in order not to make them.

There are several activities to pick from depending on the goal you’re trying to accomplish: some will help your staff members develop more empathy and trust; others will help them realign themselves with company-wide goals and objectives.

In this article we will tackle some of the most popular team building mistakes as well as look at an example of a quest as a team building exercise.

The most common team building mistakes

Let’s start with some of the most common team building mistakes to look out from.

1. There are no set goals

A team-building activity assumes that, for some reason, the team isn’t collaborating as well as it could. Fixing the habits preventing the team from evolving should be the exercise’s aim.

You must be aware of the behaviors your team must engage in in order to achieve its goals. When the group returns, you hope that the ideal conditions created by the productive team-building exercise would encourage these behaviors to stick.

There is a good probability that your investment won’t result in long-term improvements if you don’t know what the exercise’s purpose is. The best-case scenario is that there may be a brief spike in employee morale, but no changes in knowledge, attitudes, or behavior.

2. You do not know your employees

Team-building exercises are disliked by a significant number of people. It is simple to understand why, particularly if the audience was not considered when the event was planned.

While some team-building exercises may be entertaining to some, they may be embarrassing to others. While those who detest puzzles will find a puzzle-solving activity boring, introverts will become anxious at the thought of taking part in social activities.

You can’t expect the team-building activity to be successful if your audience doesn’t participate in it.

3. Lack of communication

Make sure that everyone is involved from the beginning as you plan your great team event. Keep a few surprises in reserve, but keep in mind that your team members should be involved as early as possible in the event’s planning, preparation, and management.

Participating team members in the planning process helps to prevent a number of problems, such as dissatisfaction, a lack of motivation, and early team event rejection.

On the intranet, create a microsite in advance of your team event. This makes sure that each employee is always up to date on the essentials (such as where, when, what, and how to get there).

Check out our articles on similar topics such as What is a positive company culture and Corporate gift giving traditions around the world.

Team building mistakes

An example of a team building exercise, and what to take care of

Quests typically require team members to work together to solve problems and find clues. 

There are 2 types of quests that we will talk about:

  • Escape-room-like quests;
  • Outdoor quests.

Escape room quests are usually organized indoors. There can be several rooms and a story that the team must follow. The main goal is to get out (escape) of the room in just one hour. Team has to look for clues, follow instructions and be creative. 

Outdoor quests are usually organized in a set location, for example a park, a theme park or generally just in the city. Then the team members have to walk longer distances and the quest might take up a big portion of the day. For example, StreetQuest is a team building exercise that keeps your team entertained for hours. Exploring the city while bonding with your teammates.

Most importantly – the team has to work together. That is the main benefit of quests. However things can still go wrong at times. 

So here are some team building mistakes that could be made if you’re choosing an outdoor quest for your team.

Know that physical ability is different to each member

Some team members may have physical limitations that make it difficult for them to participate in certain aspects of the quest, such as running, climbing, or crawling. 

In the end this could cause frustration or embarrassment for the team member, and hinder their ability to fully participate in the exercise. Therefore it is crucial to choose a team building quest that is actually doable for all.

Take care of safety concerns

Depending on the nature of the quest, there may be safety concerns that need to be taken into account. Those always have to be taken into account as possibilities.

For example, since the quest takes place outside, there could be hazards such as uneven terrain, traffic, or wildlife. In addition, if the quest involves physical challenges, such as climbing or crawling, there is a risk of injury.

Plan out the quest as much as you can

Communication and planning are the main keys of a successful team building event. However insufficient planning could lead to a quest that is too difficult or too easy. It could also be too long or too short, or that fails to account for safety concerns. 

To avoid this, be sure to plan the quest carefully, taking into account the fitness levels and abilities of the team members, the weather conditions, and any potential hazards.

And when it comes to communication, provide clear instructions to team members before the quest begins. Make sure that everyone knows who is responsible for each task or clue.

Give room for equal participation

Finding out if your employees would be interested in an outdoor quest is always a good first step. However in some cases, certain team members may dominate the quest exercise while others are left out. 

That is also a possibility to consider. So maybe taking care of a middle person who could manage the quest is a good idea. That is why platforms like StreetQuest are good because they take care of a lot of the planning and organizing process.

This could be due to a variety of factors, such as personality differences or differences in skill level. If some team members feel like they are not being heard or that their contributions are not valued, this could lead to some conflict within the team.

By taking these steps, you can help to ensure that your outdoor quest is a safe, enjoyable, and productive team-building experience.

positive company culture

What is a positive company culture

Every organization, also known as a company, has a culture within. For the brand to be successful and productive, it is important to take care of this company culture. To figure out how to take care of it, firstly, it is essential to figure out what is a positive company culture.

A healthy workplace culture prioritizes employee well-being and provides support at all organizational levels. It has rules in place to promote respect, trust, empathy, and support.

In this article, find out more about positive company culture and how to implement it in your everyday workspace.

Wellbeing of employees

The first thing to think about in order to create a positive company culture is your employees’ wellbeing. It is important that the people you hire and welcome into your organization are feeling like a part of the team. Of course, wellbeing goes in a bunch of different standards and it can mean a magnitude of things.

Wellbeing means getting appropriately paid, getting a good work schedule and overall the environment. Every member of the team should feel like their values are aligning with the company’s values. In order for that to happen the common goals and values have to be heard and understood.

Another valuable part of well-being is the whole beginning of starting to work at a company. Also called the onboarding process which can be crucial for both employees and company bosses. If you do not know what this means, check out the article What is onboarding for a good explanation.

company values in organizational culture

Support and feedback

Employees who join a new workplace expect to receive support – especially during those first few weeks. So naturally, there has to be excellent communication from the boss’s side at the very beginning.

A great indication of a strong company culture is an environment with no secrets or hidden agendas. The staff members are not taken aback by any information they were not made aware of before it was announced at a meeting or when they checked their email.

New information is disclosed well in advance, and managers may even solicit assistance from staff in problem-solving. A good example is brands with mentoring programs. Every newbie has a trusted mentor they can turn to when anything is not clear.

Comfortable environment

One thing to think about is ensuring your employees have a good and comfortable working environment. Comfort can be measured in both physical and mental ways.

How people feel about their jobs and their company can be greatly influenced by the type of physical environment they work in on a daily basis. The overall feeling is greatly boosted by providing workspaces with amenities and benefits that matter to the workers. 

To retain staff, many companies provide free meals, reimbursements for supplies or lunch, conveniently placed office space, and other perks.

positive company culture

Everything starts with a positive company culture!

Building and sustaining a company’s culture is an investment that is worthwhile. If you want good employees that are a part of your success, then you must give them a good working environment. 

Hopefully you enjoyed this article. Let us know down below in the comments what are any other signs of a positive company culture in the modern era?

Check out some other articles such as Cool mugs to use everyday and Educational wall decals.

gift giving traditions

Corporate gift giving traditions around the world

Even though almost everyone appreciates receiving gifts, it can be difficult to pick the perfect one. Especially if the supervisor, coworkers, or employees are from another country. So let us give you a quick rundown of gift-giving traditions from around the world.

With the aid of gifts, we are confident that it is feasible to raise employee motivation and engagement. As a result, we shall begin this article by exploring the significance of cultural concerns for corporate presents. Then let’s discuss the customs around giving gifts in various nations.

This article was influenced by a more broad and detailed version of Cultural considerations on corporate gifts. Definitely check it out too!

Take into consideration culture traditions

You can avoid mistakes by being aware of cultural etiquette about business presents and the customs of other cultures while presenting gifts. It truly shows your consideration for and understanding of other cultures to the recipients.

The most important tip is to learn about the nation’s gift-giving traditions before doing business there. Giving and receiving gifts can be a highly cherished custom in some cultures, although it can also be seen as petty, improper, occasionally unlucky, or even offensive in other cultures.

Check your workplace’s gift giving traditions and especially policies. Many companies, like those in Singapore and the US, have policies that restrict the giving and receiving of gifts in order to avoid the appearance of bribery. Other countries, like Denmark, require you to submit business gifts to the tax authorities if their value reaches a certain threshold.

gift giving traditions

United Kingdom and Ireland

Corporate culture in Ireland and England generally does not value giving presents. Personalized emails, for instance, are very effective. Achievement celebrations are also extremely typical. The common life milestones to celebrate with prospective customers, clients, and team members include birthdays, professional anniversaries, promotions, and corporate funding. 

Simply try to stay away from any inappropriate or intimate gifts. If you want to bring a gift, make sure it is little and courteous because it is uncommon to give gifts in a professional atmosphere.

USA

Americans often do not provide gifts when meeting a customer for the first time or as a way of saying thank you for doing business together. However, Americans are allowed to give gifts to employees, colleagues, and clients throughout the holiday season (late December). Executive assistants and other employees frequently receive presents from their bosses around this time of year.

It is improper to give your business partners intimate or private corporate gifts, such apparel. 

Nordic countries

If you’re doing business in Scandinavia, it’s useful to know that sending and receiving gifts as part of commercial partnerships is unusual. Their gift giving traditions are pretty much non existent. Even on holidays, it’s not traditional to send gifts. If your Scandinavian business partner has not previously given you a gift in exchange, you are not expected to bring one. 

Numerous personalizations on gifts don’t always work. Instead, make sure the present you offer can be linked to the organization’s ideals or objectives. 

Japan

Known as “Omiyage” in Japan, corporate gifting is a significant aspect of Japanese society. It is regarded as a means of forging connections and expressing gratitude. In Japan, it is customary to accept or give gifts with both hands. It is customary to wait until the giver is not there before unwrapping a gift.

In Japan, funeral flowers include lilies, camellias, and lotus blossoms; these shouldn’t be given as gifts. Any type of white flower should not be presented as a gift. Another urban legend claims that houseplants in containers spread illness.

Giving in increments of four or nine is unlucky. Also red should not be used for Christmas cards as it is generally reserved for funeral announcements.

Make sure to read our other articles such as Delivering constructive feedback at work and What is a positive company culture.

China

China gives corporate gifts for a variety of occasions, including national holidays like Chinese New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival, as well as professional and personal accomplishments. 

Gifts are frequently rejected twice or even three times before being accepted by Chinese people. This in no way implies that they are unappreciative of the present. It serves more as a technique of expressing modesty and courtesy.

Knives, scissors, and letter openers aren’t good gifts in China since they could allude to a breakup. Clocks (the verb “give clock” has the same pronunciation as the phrase “see off into death” in various Chinese dialects), handkerchiefs, which are often used at funerals and connected with sobbing. Additionally, gifts that come in sets of four, unless they are sets of two pairs, are not appropriate.

corporate gift traditions

Spain

In Spain, where personal ties are crucial for any business success, cultivating good relationships and meeting people in person are the keys to success. Spanish people will do business with you if there is chemistry, so make an effort to present the best image of yourself by appearing respectable and modest. 

Due to their cultural associations, dahlias, chrysanthemums, white lilies, and red roses should never be offered as flowers. Sending flowers in odd numbers is essential as long as they don’t add up to thirteen.

Muslim countries

When learning about corporate gift-giving etiquette in different countries, pay special attention to Muslim countries. The fundamental reason for this is the abundance of restrictions. 

The Koran forbids drinking alcohol. You should never provide anything that contains alcohol as a result, including beverages and colognes. Additionally, you should avoid foods that contain derivatives of pig, bird, and shellfish. 

Give no artwork that contains nudity. In any case, do your homework thoroughly before buying anything because in some countries, like Saudi Arabia, you should only offer gifts to close friends or relatives.

It can be challenging to choose the perfect gift on your own. It is crucial to be aware of cultural restrictions on business presents. Now that you know more about gift giving traditions in various countries, you will be in luck when doing business in the above mentioned places. 

Let us know which countries we missed and you’d like to learn more about!

office room

7 Fun office team building games


Is there a lack of energy, communication or smiles in your workplace? Then it is time to try out some fun office team building games! Today we bring You 7 of these team building activities that are a lot of fun while also making people connect on a deeper level.
Some of these games can be played during lunch break, some after work, some for extended periods of time. For more serious and time consuming ideas we suggest you to take a look at after-work team building activities.

1. Mystery friend

mystery friend


This is a game that needs to be played over a period of time. We suggest trying it out for a month. At the start everyone anonymously pulls out a paper with a written colleague’s name. That is your mystery friend and your task is to simply secretly give him letters, candies, compliments etc. Employees can decide on how frequent this gifting process will be. You can do that by leaving presents on his table or agreeing altogether of creating mailboxes beforehand. At the end of the month the mystery friend can be revealed and then switched up again. This game is heart-warming and spreads kindness and positivity between each other.

forehead detective mini game


2 – Forehead detective

For this game You will need sticky notes. Everyone writes the name of a famous celebrity, fictional character on the sticky note. Then stick these notes on the forehead of the person next to You without them seeing the name. The task is to guess which character is written on your sticky note/forehead. You can also play a round of writing names of colleagues. This activity tells a lot about how people think of different celebrities and what are their thought processes to unveiling the answer.

marshmallow

3 – Marshmallow challenge

In marshmallow challenge employees are separated into teams that are fighting for any kind of prize. Then these teams receive a limited number and types of materials found in the office (such as spaghetti, marshmallows, erasers) and a time limit. The task is to build the tallest possible structure between the teams. In this activity, all the employees can showcase their architecture, engineering and building skills. The game turns out fun, because of the competitive time limit and oftenly very unstable final structures.

building platform

4 – Egg drop challenge

This game is a bit similar to marshmallow challenge in terms of necessary skills to excel at winning it. Employees split into teams are required to build a platform/contraption that will protect an egg without breaking when dropped from a height. Once again, there is a time limit but you can use any useful materials in the office. This mini game brings out creativity and competitive spirit with one small minus – broken eggs will have to be cleaned up afterwards.

blindfolded player

5 – Mine field

This is a game most people probably already know. Blindfold a colleague with a piece of clothing and send him to a different room. Then change out the layout of the room by moving furniture and adding other obstacles with even tying up wires everywhere.
After the room has been decorated, call in the blindfolded colleague. Now your task is to guide him through the obstacle course without him touching anything that You have set. Everyone can communicate with him only vocally. This game is a great communication exercise. You can also prank a new colleague by not actually moving anything in the room and giving fake verbal instructions.

small notes

6 – Two truths and a lie

This is a short and simple game that can be played when meeting new people or onboarding employees. Have everyone write three statements on a piece of paper. The catch however is, that one of these statements are false. Let other players guess it. This game lets you learn a lot about people who you spend time with on a daily basis.

Board game scribble

7 – Board games evening

Nothing beats a cozy evening playing your favorite board games. Gather your colleagues, let everyone bring their board games and have a simple yet effective team building evening. Test everyone’s strategic abilities, quick thinking and competitiveness by having a small tournament.

We hope you found this article useful and will give these office team building games a shot. This can also serve as an inspiration to improve your office team building games more seriously. We suggest You try all of the mentioned above and improve team spirit in the workplace. This will help in building a strong internal communication culture in the company.

internal communication culture

How to build a strong internal communication culture in the company 

Any organization’s ability to function effectively depends on its ability to communicate internally. While communication between team members and higher management is important for productivity and overall success, employees should feel comfortable doing so too. This is why internal communication culture is something to constantly improve in your company.

In this article we will compile a list of tips on how to build a strong internal communication culture that is up to date.

We have written a separate article on The importance of internal communication in a company’s success. Make sure to read that too if you’re interested in the topic of internal communication!

Let’s get started!

Create strong connections

Communication needs to be enhanced between team members as well as between workers and their managers. While doing management training sessions, be sure to address this. 

Direct reports will be easier to communicate with and keep on task for managers who take the time to get to know them and are willing to listen to them. Employees are more likely to feel connected when they believe that supervisors can solve their specific needs.

Encourage sharing

Provide a platform for knowledge exchange online. Provide a forum for employees to discuss news and trends in the sector since they probably read about these topics frequently. 

Employees will be excited to stay part of a project if they get the chance to demonstrate what they know. This will not only provide internal communication culture with greater focus, but it will also benefit business by allowing for the exchange of insightful information.

Lead by example

Would you recommend that workers stay late at the office to finish a job if you are the one leaving promptly at 5 PM? Would you freely discuss the financial issues facing your business before purchasing a brand-new luxury vehicle for yourself?

We really hope you declined since setting an example for others is one of the best things you can do. Make sure you communicate effectively if you want your staff to do the same. Make sure you share knowledge openly if you want your team to do the same.

Use effective communication tools

Around 3.8 hours a week are lost by office workers in pointless meetings that all could have been an email. Your team meetings can be more productive with careful planning, but sometimes the time and effort are simply not worth it. 

There are more effective ways to converse and work together. Using online team reporting and communication tools such as Zoom is one alternative. The productivity of engagement could increase by about 20% as a result of improved collaboration via social technology.

Run regular employee surveys

Do routine personnel surveys to find solutions to the current hot topics. Don’t only focus on goals and objectives; be mindful of how your team is feeling and thinking. It can be helpful to gain insight into the topics that are addressed over a casual cup of coffee and at the lunch table. 

This information has the potential to foretell future triumphs or disastrous failures.

Listen to what employees have to say

If you don’t know how to listen and process the new information, none of the preceding steps are worth anything. Listening is frequently more crucial than sharing knowledge. 

Asking for feedback is not enough; you must be able to patiently wait and pay attention to it. We only have one mouth and two ears, therefore we ought to listen more often than we speak.

We hope these tips were useful in building a strong internal communication culture in yourn company!

internal communication

The importance of internal communication in a company’s success

Information exchange between internal members of the same company or between employees at various levels is referred to as internal communication.

Today’s companies spend a lot of money on marketing and public relations to enhance their external communication, but they fall short in enhancing their internal communication.

In this article we will take a closer look at why internal communication is very important in every company. It relates closely to the company’s success and here’s why.

This article is inspired from a collection of tips on HOW GOOD INTERNAL COMMUNICATION LOOKS IN 2023.

Keeps everybody well informed

Internal communication is crucial since it enables you and your management to inform your staff.

It is important to keep everyone updated on upcoming company events, new company policies, staff headcounts, and other developments. Think about employing virtual phone systems to maintain internal communication.

You can efficiently convey crucial information with the appropriate individuals thanks to excellent internal communication.

More importantly, it aids in spreading the word to all employees, particularly in a way that motivates them to get invested in and participating in particular objectives and goals.

Betters the relationships between teams

With poor internal communication, teams cannot become stronger. Weak communication is the incorrect dissemination of information throughout all levels of a company, in our opinion.

A team that has effective internal communication works more effectively and has a better grasp of the corporate culture. They support one another in creating a symbiotic working connection and are more aware of the organization’s aims and objectives.

Make sure to read our other article on How to build a strong internal communication culture in the company.

team communication at work

Motivates employees

Certainly, we are not suggesting that you give drawn-out speeches about motivation to your employees during meetings. If your business has thousands of employees, this is not that easy of a task to accomplish in an effective way now, is it?

On the other hand, internal communication channels that allow staff members to commend and honor one another for completing any tasks or milestones can make excellent use of this. This communication tool can inspire your staff members and foster an atmosphere of celebration and gratitude within your company.

Improves engagement and productivity

Several strategies can be used to engage employees. Asking inquiries in the middle of a meeting or making a comment on a recent news that was put on the business updates will work. It might even be as basic as telling the rest of the firm what staff are working on right now.

Your staff members are more likely to share opinions and ideas when they feel that their voice matters, which is encouraged by internal communication.

Also, it will inspire people to go above and beyond for the benefit of the business’ success. Everybody wins in the end!

Improves company culture

Internal communication’s support to the creation of a positive workplace culture is yet another example of its value. The chance of employee retention increases if you give your team a feeling of ownership within your business.

Keep in mind that the quality of your internal communications will determine whether your employees decide to work for your firm for many years or depart as soon as they discover a better opportunity elsewhere.

Read more about company culture in our article What is a positive company culture.

internal communication

Important for crisis

To survive in a crisis without worsening, timely and attentive communication with employees and external stakeholders is essential. Yet, internal crisis communication study has discovered that managers speak to their staff much less when a crisis occurs.

Internal communication aids both short-term and long-term crisis management in addition to assisting you in controlling the narrative surrounding crisis situations. 

While long-term planning is more concerned with preserving the company’s reputation and taking action to stop bad things from happening again, short-term management deals with the issue itself.

Supported employee management

Internal communication is crucial since it makes it easier to manage your staff more effectively. In addition to efficient communication, many firms also suffer with personnel management, particularly in a remote work environment.

As we’ve already discussed, using various communication platforms enables you to address particular issues and concerns within your team.

Most significantly, it enables everyone to stay informed of recent developments and happenings within the business and to stay connected, involved, and on task.

Make sure to check out our other related articles such as Quotes about company culture

We hope this was useful to you!

Google organisational culture

Google organisational culture

When discussing wonderful work environments, Google is practically always given as number one example. It’s one of the biggest, most powerful corporations in the world. However, it is Google organisational culture that is one of the main reasons why people aspire to work for them.

Google company rewards

Google company rewards

World-class company culture has been a key part of Google’s employer brand for years. In fact, Google earned 15 awards from Comparably in 2019 alone, including the Best Company Culture, Best CEO, and Best Company for Women awards.

Google is also a consistent top-ranking company in Fortune’s Best Companies to Work For list and is featured in Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work list every year. But then you start wondering: how did they achieve this positive company culture?

Google’s workplace is fun

Google fun workplace

I am sure almost everyone has heard about the free food, state-of-the-art nap pods, video game stations, and of course, the slides at the Google offices. These things alone would be the reason why I would want to work for them.

If you’ve ever seen the Googleplex in California—whether you’ve stepped foot inside it or have seen a video tour of it—you might think of the office as an adult playground rather than a workplace. Google succeeded in giving its staff members a creative and enjoyable work atmosphere.

This boosts team effectiveness, worker productivity, and enables them to do away with traditional corporate environments like stuffy meeting rooms and uninspiring cubicle spaces. While all these benefits may shout uniqueness, they’re only a small part of what Google’s company culture is all about.

Innovation is Prioritized

Google innovations

Google organisational culture is focused on innovation, especially technological innovation. What I find amazing is that Google constantly holds sessions and pep talks. They encourage employees to think outside the box, release their creativity, and provide innovative ideas. This way they help reaching their employees their fullest potential

Additionally, the business pays staff members for coming up with original solutions and ideas. There are always rewards for creative thinking, effectively fostering a culture of original concepts and ongoing brainstorming.

Not a typical company

Google work environment

The reason why I would really like to work for Google is because the workplace environment. Google encourages a small-company, family atmosphere. This aspect of the corporate culture focuses on creating a friendly workplace where staff members feel included and can comfortably communicate and exchange ideas.

Employee satisfaction at work is facilitated by positive workplace relationships, which also improve the effectiveness of the human resource management tactics.

Final Thoughts

Google organisational culture

There are many reasons why Google organisational culture and company culture is so admired around the globe. They don’t have a difficult mysterious formula or hidden method. It’s actually quite simple.

Providing back to your staff, taking the best possible care of them, and giving them a reason to love the business are working for are the most important things one can do. All businesses should aspire to be like Google.