What most of you seem to be talking about is “group entertainment” – very far from REAL team building.

I agree that typical group entertainment has no real vaule in building and bonding a team. There are however very good true team building services available, that focus on the core of the team building experience, and the critical success factors required to enhance temwork.

So lets call a spade a shovel – group entertainment can suck – big time… Genuine team building has merit and long term efficacy, when done correctly, like with Appreciative Inquiry as a team building activity and approach.

Namaste’

Tony Dovale
South Africa
http://www.lifemasters.co.za
team@coachfree.com
083-447-6300
REAL Team Building for real teams.

all the best!
deb

I want to have a CRACK HO party. WTF is that?

@deb Wow, well said. You should post this!!!

@Etienne Oh you say the nicest things.

@maggie What the CFO doesn’t know won’t kill him (or her)

@FrannyO Why aren’t you writing your own blog? OMG, these stories are awesome.

a) The company is known in the (smallish) industry as the “work hard, play hard” company, and this is mentioned several times in the interview process. For instance, there are beers and wine in the fridge, and interviewees who come to the office in the afternoon are regularly asked if they want one. People who don’t like that aspect can self-select out pretty readily.
b) Though there is an open bar, this is essentially a networking event, so the least experienced (and most likely to offend/be offended) employees are generally trying to make a good impression on the people who might hire them for their projects.
c) There is SO much goodwill associated with this trip, no one wants to be the jerk who ruined it for everyone else.
d) The owners are caring and protective and there are enough of us quietly keeping an eye out for issues/sending drunk people up to their rooms that so far, nothing totally untoward has happened.
e) Spouses and children are invited and paid for, so most people have other family members around to keep them in line.
f) Lastly, because lawyers always find a way to be buzzkills, we sign a 2-page waiver before we get on the plane.

I can’t imagine doing a trip like this with any other company, it’s just something that grew organically with the culture. But one day, selection, reward, and culture will get out of alignment and we’ll have hell to pay.

And Maggie – yeah, the CFO totally hates this thing!