You would be surprised how many people included team building events, programs or activities in their meeting or conference who don’t actually believe they work. Huh?
They believe it’s fun and different for sure, a great change of pace in the meeting agenda of keynote, breakout, breakout. But they don’t know the true impact. But they include it anyway. Why would we, a team building event company, care as long as we’re making a living?
We want to shout it from the rooftops. It MATTERS! It MAKES A DIFFERENCE! Yes, I’m yelling.
We’ve been surveying our participants and the numbers are clear. 90% of participants believe they are more loyal to and engaged with their company’s brand after experiencing team building. 92% say they are more connected to their coworkers. Can we say brand engagement and company retention anyone? These are bottom line numbers folks. Could it BE any clearer?
Then we get into the impact on participant learning. You’re a meeting planner. Your meeting is introducing a new product line and they want the ROI on learning retention. Please, we beg of you, include a team building event. On a physical level, your participants (notice we don’t use the word attendee) are more likely to retain and utilize their conference learning if they have an emotional and relational memory associated with it. AND if they have some physical activity attached to it. This is neurological science. How do you do this? Team building activities!
“Playfulness … as a personality trait in adults has been associated with a broad range of positive outcomes, such as academic success, coping with stress, innovative work performance, and subjective well-being to name but a few.” – American Journal of Play
We need to be promoting playfulness and interaction at our meetings and events. Play lets the brain make connections, diverting attention to something fun while processing information according to neurologists David Rock and Daniel Siegel in their research. Thanks to Jeff Hurt of Velvet Chainsaw for turning us on to them.
You are increasing your likelihood of success if you build in this type of activity and entertainment frequently throughout the program, not just on one day. And better yet, include a charitable element. Find room in your budget to kill something unnecessary or unhealthy and allow your meeting participants to increase their retention and engagement. So maybe skip the fancy conference bags and drop the soft drinks. Serve fruit infused water and include a shorter different team building element each day when energy lulls in the afternoon.
Your bottom line will thank you!
To learn more about the team building elements you can include in your next meeting or conference, give us a call at 855-TEAM-BUILD or fill out the contact form to the right.
Meredith! I’m so glad we connected so I can read this blog! You are speaking my language. I’m going to use some of these stats in my Play is Power session. Can’t wait to find some ways to collaborate in the future!
I share the value you place on participants vs. attendees. At my company (Engagement Unlimited), we believe in the active participatory model. Learning (and networking) are best when the person is actively involved in their own learning (or networking) process. It’s often messier but it’s always better. And translates directly into ROI.
Great blog.
I also love your comment about the value of physical movement. I’m a big believer in movement and rambunctious environments. Most conferences and meetings still expect participants to spend most of their time sitting quietly yet somehow also focused, present and learning. Movement is key for humans especially if we want to be focused, present and learning… yet somehow not at conferences or meetings! Looking forward to tackling that issue too!