Platinum Author
Think back to your last team building session. There's a really good chance that step number one was to organise your group into teams. What if you have only a few people? With six people at least you could, I suppose, opt for two teams of three? But what if you have less still? Maybe even as low as three? Two teams of one and a half people is going to cause arguments over who gets cut in half, for sure...
There are three reasons why groups are usually organised into a number of teams at a team building event. Firstly, to make it all nicely manageable for the event providers. Secondly, to encourage everyone to join in. If you are in a team of 20 people and 19 of them are outgoing, loud types and you're the quiet one, there's a good chance you'll stay quiet the whole time. At least in a team of six you'll stand a chance of getting a word in from time to time. Thirdly, because the activity is a competitive one and you can't have competition without having more than one team. And most team activities out there are competitive.
So small teams need to look beyond the obvious and find a team activity that isn't competitive. One that pits the whole team against some kind of challenge rather than one that pits them against themselves. Ideally, the activity chosen should also be able to offer feedback on how the team has fared compared with other teams who have already tackled the same thing. That said, it is less important than just keeping the few people as a single team - just like they are in real life at work, of course.
So what does this rule out? Well, all the "usual suspects". Outdoor pursuits of just about any kind are either individual oriented or require teams. You can have a team bonding session if everyone goes kart racing or quad biking together, but it isn't team building - just a shared experience.
Indoor based options offer you a greater chance of finding an activity that everyone can get their teeth into and get some real team development along the way. Being based indoors isn't enough on its own though. The activity needs plenty of variety to keep everyone interested and ideally needs to be structured to offer real insights into how the team can improve back in the workplace.
These two elements - variety and development potential - are difficult to deliver cost effectively for small teams and cost is always going to be an issue for small teams, which will never be able to justify the same kind of absolute spend that a larger team can. I said difficult, though - not impossible. A provider's most expensive cost in delivering any team event is people. Technology can save the day.
Technologically based team building activities offer variety, full engagement and real learning for teams of all sizes, yet do not require a team of people to deliver them. That keeps the cost down without losing any of the benefits. Options even exist that can be run completely online, meaning no facilitator - and no facilitator cost - needs to be involved at all. And if you do opt for one that does require a facilitator, at least it won't need to be a facilitation team. There's nothing worse that the facilitation team numbering more that the participant team!
About this Author
The author's company, Sandstone Limited, are team building specialists with a range of unique activities. Their activities are so different that they have attracted partners around the world who deliver them to Sandstone's exacting standards. They even have one that is delivered completely over the web.
Their client list is impressive and their references impeccable. You can call Sandstone on 01158 715690 for an informal chat that will help you choose the best activity for your team building requirement.
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