Thailand-based corporate wellness company FitCorp’s believes that teambuilding programmes of the future should cater to all levels in a company’s hierarchy, as it believes that the meaning and approach to teambuilding has changed post-lockdown.
General manager of Fitcorp Group, Niels Steeman, opined: “The corporate world has seen an immense shift in how we communicate with each other, and the principles of teambuilding have changed from a primarily offline environment to a hybrid/online environment.
“Remote working is here to stay, and this impacts how we are building teams. Engagement, retention, and performance in stressful situations will become the new norm for teambuilding.”
As such, Steeman stressed that companies should plan for teambuilding events that offer “educational value” and that focus on all levels of hierarchy in a company, as “relaxing pods, games rooms and healthy snacks no longer serve a purpose in this changing climate”.
For instance, one of FitCorp’s offerings, The Business Athlete, is aimed at groups ranging from two to 200, and the programme is tailored to hit home with everyone, from the senior executives right down to junior staff.
Typically running for half a day, the workshop includes short workouts, interactive sessions and team-based activities, all of which help participants develop essential habits that help them perform under pressure; demonstrate the sustainable benefits of a healthy lifestyle both at work and at home; as well as communicate empathy and care for each other’s wellbeing, mental health and success.
Prior to the event, participants are required to answer a series of specific questions anonymously, and identify the pain points they have. These pain points will then be addressed during the seminar by Fitcorp’s team of performance coaches, fitness trainers, and corporate wellness specialists.
Meanwhile, for companies with team members spread all over the globe, FitCorp offers a virtual education and wellness offering titled V-Well.
“This cost-effective virtual wellness programme is based on measurable needs and outcomes to increase engagement, confidence, motivation, morale, well-being, productivity and mental health to ensure teams stay well, engaged and perform well,” he explained.
When asked what qualifies as a successful teambuilding event, Steeman indicated that it has to be “sustainable” and “deliver something employees, clients and stakeholders can take home and apply for better performance, health and energy management”.
Companies are keen on running teambuilding programmes post-lockdown because they wish to keep their retention rates as high as possible amid retrenchment and business uncertainty, Steeman observed.
“Retention is the key word for many companies. Moreover, with the hybrid model more common, drawing a line between life and work is even more vague. Working from home increases the feeling of being more plugged in, and this has had an effect on stress levels and mental health. Stress is one of the leading factors of high staff turnover.
“The drive in keeping teams in place has never been as important as it is now,” he said.
