SMEs neglecting team building could be missing out on wide-ranging and long-lasting benefits, new research suggests. 64% of SME office workers say team building improves communication among the workforce – with 29% citing a long-term positive impact, while 58% link improvements in collaboration, with 26% noticing the change long-term.
This comes as differences in communication continue to cause workplace friction and employee engagement is at a low, with Gallup’s latest State of the Global Workforce report revealing that 62% of employees are not engaged, and 15% are actively disengaged.
While communication and collaboration are the two most widely recognised long-term improvements, the research revealed other benefits from team building activities. Positive changes were also noted on mood in the office (65%), trust between colleagues (63%), teamwork (62%) and team morale (61%).
The survey of over 1,000 UK office workers commissioned by corporate events company, Team Tactics, revealed widely positive attitudes towards team building, despite the ‘forced fun’ and ‘cringe’ narratives sometimes associated with the topic.
Almost two thirds (65%) of SME employees say they find team building activities enjoyable, while 64% agree they help them to perform better as a team, 64% say they improve inter-generational workplace relationships, and 63% say that help them feel closer to colleagues.
Respondents also feel that team building gives them a better understanding of their colleagues, with 64% saying it improves knowledge of individual strengths and 3 in 5 in agreement that it helps them learn about their teammates’ interests outside of work.
The research also explored how recently SME employees had attended events where they could bond with colleagues. Two thirds (66%) said they had taken part in team building activities in the last two years, while for work social events this rose to more than three quarters (76%) of employees.
The findings also suggest a clear appetite for colleagues to spend with one another even when it’s not being instigated by employers, with 74% saying they’d attended a social event with colleagues organised independently of work in the last two years.
Meanwhile, more than a fffth (21%) of SME employes surveyed said they have never attended a team building event, while a further 9% claim to have done so, but over three years ago.
Tina Benson, founder and managing director at Team Tactics, commented: “It’s positive to see that SMEs are, on the whole, recognising the wide-ranging benefits team building can bring. Organisations that aren’t investing in team building, or haven’t done for some time, are missing out on vital opportunities to improve team dynamics, skills and relationships. With research showing employee engagement and relationships are suffering, business leaders can’t afford to turn their backs on these important issues.
“It’s interesting to learn that, while attitudes towards team building are positive on the whole. As the scope of team building activities on offer constantly diversifies, there are more fun, engaging and meaningful ways to bring teams together than ever before. Charity and purpose-led team building activities are becoming especially sought after, helping businesses to progress towards their team and CSR goals while creating positive change for deserving causes and communities.”
To learn more about the research, download the report here.