Name one innovative idea for a company-wide event to help employees get in the groove for a busy season.
The following answers are provided by the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invite-only organization comprised of the world’s most promising young entrepreneurs. In partnership with Citi, the YEC recently launched #StartupLab, a free virtual mentorship program that helps millions of entrepreneurs start and grow businesses via live video chats, an expert content library and email lessons.
1. Tie Events to Core Values
“We have seven amazing core values, and we try to tie each companywide event to a specific one. Whether it’s running to a lunch spot (“Live an Active Lifestyle”) or “Hoppy Hump Day” happy hour with our customers (“Building Community Through Empathy”), we try to instill our core values in fun and engaging ways.”
– Kit Hickey, Ministry of Supply
2. Get Them Out
“Getting everyone together and reinforcing team effort is essential. It can be little things like a FIFA tournament in the office or taking the team bowling or to the Bronx Zoo. Making sure it is a team activity everyone wants to participate in allows people to wind down and stresses that it is a team effort.”
– Bryan Silverman, Star Toilet Paper
3. Encourage Employee Projects
“Encourage people to create their own project or design an idea to help improve the company. Even if they’re at the lowest level, put the creative power in their hands and see what they come up with. Everyone appreciates being heard and knowing that their ideas and input is valued.”
– Andy Karuza, Brandbuddee
4. Coordinate a Game Night
“Invite all staff to a night out at a recreation center where they can play pool, foosball, darts, have a few drinks and unwind. Offering appetizers or dinner is a must at a company event. It’s a little incentive for the staff to enjoy time with their co-workers in a relaxed environment. Most of all, it creates a feeling where they aren’t overwhelmed right before a busy time.”
– Dave Smith, TekScape
5. Make Fun a Priority
“We aim to get our team together for a non-work activity at least once a month. We have an ongoing open Google Doc that allows employees to submit ideas for team outings. On the list right now, there is a cruise on Lake Michigan, whirleyball, a history museum pub crawl, bowling and more. Getting everyone together is a huge part of team building.”
– Michael Patak, TopstepTrader
6. Plan a High-Energy Team Building Exercise
“If you’re looking for a way to energize your team, try a high-energy event. It doesn’t have to be work related because there should be enough work going on regularly. A kickball game, on the other hand, is a great way for employees to cut loose while growing together as a team. We also did a group painting event that included wine.”
– Nick Friedman, College Hunks Hauling Junk and College Hunks Moving
7. Have a Focus Week
“Our team loves having “focus weeks” where the entire team pushes their day-to-day work aside and goes all in on just one project. The amount of progress you can make in one week is incredible, and the results always re-energize and motivate the entire team.”
– Laura Roeder, LKR Social Media
8. Organize a Quizzo Night
“We recently held our first ‘”Nerd Quizzo” night, which was a great success. Splitting up teams ahead of time allowed us to mix up departments so co-workers would get to know each other better. Everyone bonded over common knowledge and company trivia in a fun and encouraging environment.”
– Robert J. Moore, RJMetrics
9. Plan a Team Retreat
“We’re a hybrid virtual company. We have team members all over the world, but they are in concentrated areas, so they often work together a few days each week. Each year, we bring the entire team together and combine a strategy retreat with fantastic outdoor activities in places like Lake Tahoe, California and Sedona.”
– David Hassell, 15Five
