EMMA Bines heads up the Event Sales Team at Whittlebury Park. Here, Emma talks about the increased popularity around teambuilding and what options are available for all types of teams.
What would you say are the benefits of taking your teambuilding outside?
As the activity is outdoors, there is a sense of freedom and lots of space to move about. The teambuilding events that we host can take place in any weather, so if it suddenly starts raining, it can carry on with minimal disruption. We have noticed that when activities are outdoors, people tend to get more involved, too. It might be the fresh air and being out of the usual indoor environment that makes people more proactive. With over 600 acres of usable space at Whittlebury no teambuilding is too big.
And how about indoors?
The most obvious reason that people may choose indoor activities is that there’s no risk of adverse weather affecting the day. Indoors can also be a good choice for smaller teams, too.
What feedback have you had about how a teambuilding day has helped teams to develop team synergy?
From an indoor point of view, the Haka experience is truly memorable and something a bit different for people to engage with. It’s a unique shared experience that really does bring people together and create fun memories. Our Crystal Amazed experience has also received great feedback about how lively and interactive as well as challenging it is.
From the point of booking, we always ask what companies want to achieve from their experience. Whether this is to improve communication or to simply get to know each other better, we can match requirements towards the objective as we have such a range of possibilities.
What is your personal favourite activity that we do?
It’s difficult to pick a favourite, but our outdoor clay pigeon shooting is a great all-round fun and engaging experience for everyone. It brings out competitiveness (in a good way) and our Managing Director runs it so clients get a real personal touch from a member of the Whittlebury team.
Some people may be put off by the activities appearing to be quite ‘physical’ what would you say to that?
This is quite a common perception but we always emphasise that it’s more about the team spirit that is the main focus which will keep everyone engaged. If there’s a particular part of an activity that someone would like to leave out, we can always set them up with an alternative and we would never exclude anyone or leave them standing to the side. That’s what’s great about having us available in the lead-up to the booking, we can plan for any considerations that may come up and it’s never unsolvable.
Are there any trends you have noticed in teambuilding from either an industry or client perspective?
Employers are more savvy and see the importance of investing in their employees and having time out of the office to engage in something informal together.
Another trend we have seen is companies choosing to have evening entertainment and teambuilding in the evening. We have some fun options including cocktail making, classic team games and a nail-biting ‘InQuizition’quiz which includes interactive rounds involving balloon modelling and dress the mummy – so it’s not your average sit-down quiz!
So far in 2020 there has also been an emphasis on wellbeing in a team and mental health awareness and our Event Organisers Showcase Day on the 17th March will demonstrate some brilliant mindfulness and resilience techniques which can be taken back to the workplace and used daily.
We love working with all teams big and small and we take care of everything from an organisational point of view and we are all based on-site too. We will happily create bespoke food menus as well as activity itineraries we’ll and take care of the entire booking from start to finish.
To find out more what Whittlebury can offer you and your teams pop along to our Event organisers open day on the 17 March