Team building has become one of the newest buzz words in the corporate lexicon. In fact, for at least the last decade surveys of business leaders in every industry have shown that the prime characteristic they look for in new hires is the ability to work with a team. And why not? Research has shown that when people work in teams, they can accomplish far more than a group of individuals working together. But not all team building activities are created equal. Over the last few years, some industry experts have leveled criticism at the 'quick-fix' attitude that has been adopted by many companies who attempt to create or sponsor their own team building activities.
In order to be effective, say experts in corporate teams, a team building event must:
- Be integrated with real work goals.
o It's not enough to plan a fun day of activities for your team. The team building event that you plan should help focus the members of the team on what's not working and what needs to happen for the team to work together.
- Be part of an overall company goal.
o Plan team building activities and events as part of the company's overall plan for success. That means more than just a one off event to go buggy riding. Team building events should be an ongoing, annual or semi-annual event.
- Be planned by a team.
o After all, the goal is to promote teamwork. The planning team should model the behavior that you expect it to promote.
- Be followed up with real work integration.
o A one off event that has no follow up in the work world will be seen as a holiday at best - and a cynical attempt at manipulation at worst. To be meaningful, team building efforts must continue beyond the event day.
- Be reinforced by rewarding teamwork and team behavior.
o Once you have a team that's working as a team, you need to reinforce that behavior by rewarding it. Recognition of teams that are working exceptionally well, special corporate events to mark team accomplishments and notice in the company newsletter are all ways to reinforce and reward teamwork within your company.
If planning an event that will do all that seems daunting, keep in mind that there are companies who make this their business. A company like that specialises in building team activities can offer your company custom team building activities that are designed to help your employees and coworkers focus on the importance of working together as a team.
Eastnor Castle was founded by John Somers Cocks, 1st Earl Somers back in 1810 and now is the home of the family of James Hervey-Bathurst, grandson of Arthur Somers-Cocks. The Cocks acquired the land in the 16th century, but it was only until the Somers and Nash families became relatives of the first, when there was enough funding to build the mock castle. The architect Robert Smirke was in charge of the built, with the collaboration of Augustus Pugin who designed the Gothic drawing room.
Several events take place every year in the castle premises: the LandRover World Event in June, where LandRover fans can test drive the latest Range Rover, Defender and Freelander models; the Big Chill music festival ?an alternative and chill-out music festival- is host in early August in the deer park and the Mountain Mayhem, which is a 24 hour mountain bike race was held in the deer park in 2008.
However the Castle has also served as wedding venue, corporate training and team building venue, and has been the location of several films for over 40 years, such as: One more time (1969), Great Antiques Treasure Hunt (1995), Country Lives (2007), and TV series and programs: The Pallisters (1974), Little Lord Fauntleroy (1994), Antiques Roadshow (2000), Dracula (2006) and others. The British glam rock band Slade recorded their music video Run Runaway in 1974.
Situated in the Malvern Hills in Herefordshire, the castle is conveniently linked to the national motorway network by the A438 ?only ten minutes from the castle and two and a half hours from London. The natural resources and elements, as well as the magnificent surroundings make Eastnor Castle the ideal venue to host team building activities and events. The lake, the castle walls, the forests and the tough conditions of the terrain will take the best out of the participants in these events.
Both Brett Danielson & Tug Search are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Brett Danielson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Wedding Bells, Team Building and Marriage. Brett Danielson works for www.chillisauce.co.uk, a leading UK tour operator that specialises in planning unique