Team Building at Its Finest

While large corporate “business trips” and conferences have been toned down in accordance with the sagging economy many businesses are turning to a less extravagant team bonding exercise, video games.

An article on CNET.com focused on a company called Grinnel Computers, whose employees were obligated to finish their work day with two hours of video games.

According to the article employees are given the option of playing “Combat Arms”, a multi player team oriented first person shooter from 3:00 to 5:00, or leaving two hours early without pay. Execs at the company claim this time period is often the slow point of the week, and see benefit in building company unity without the cost and hassle of corporate events.

Another benefit of “team gaming” is breaking down office barriers without the addition of alcohol. In a gaming environment there are no classifications between a CEO and a sales associate. The gaming world allows the barriers within the work place to be taken down for a certain period of time within a virtual world. The activity encourages teamwork and gives employees a chance to “lead” their bosses into battle.

If video games don’t seem to wet your palate, take a look at these four “interesting" team building exercises that real companies implemented. If I happened to miss one your company tried out, or one you wish you could be a part of, speak out with some comments.

4) Wizards, Giants and Goblins

This game is a variation on the traditional rock, paper, scissors game. Form two teams of equal numbers, facing each other. For each turn, the teams will need to decide which of the three characters they will be:

Wizards - stretch out their hands, wiggle their fingers and go "kaaazaaaam".
Giants - put their hands in the air, jump up and down and make a low growling noise
Goblins - crouch on the ground, wave their hands at their ears and make a high pitch cackle.

The rules are exactly the same as the traditional rock, paper, scissors game.

3) Balloon Race:
Each team member has a balloon they blow up and let fly. When it lands, they must run to that spot and try again. They are attempting to get across a line twenty feet away. First one there wins.

2) Inflatable Sumo Wrestling

No explanation needed here. It definitely brings a company closer together.

1) American Idol Contest

Each participating employee must belt out their best American idol song. The song must be done by one of the season winners, or William Hung.