What is team building and why is it essential for your team?

Definition of Team Building

What is Team Building?

Team building, literally “building a team,” involves a series of activities designed to bring team members closer together and improve their collaboration. These activities, often fun or challenging, help to strengthen team spirit and establish a culture of trust and mutual respect.

Definition of Team Building, According to Brasero

Team building is a crucial means of enhancing cohesion and engagement within teams, promoting shared experiences that combine reflection, collaboration, and self-improvement. Designed to meet the varied needs of modern enterprises, it helps establish a trustful climate and create authentic connections, whether in nature or through activities tailored to each group’s goals.

Origin of Team Building

The concept of team building, or “team reinforcement,” originated in the United States in the 1920s-1930s with the Hawthorne studies, which highlighted the positive impact of group work on employee performance. These studies showed that employees were more effective when working in good conditions and as a group. Although the term “team building” did not yet exist, companies were already beginning to understand the importance of human relations and a positive work culture to improve productivity.

Evolution of Team Building

The form of team building we know today truly emerged in the early 1980s in the United States, in a context where collective efficiency was increasingly valued. This concept took off in the 1990s with a corporate culture that valued teamwork and saw a growing professionalization. Initially inspired by commando training, team building evolved towards more playful activities, such as escape games and murder parties, and adapted to new technologies with virtual experiences. The world of sports, with its values of cohesion and common goals, also influenced these practices, introducing principles of collaboration and collective reward into team management in companies.

Types of Team Building

Team building activities have diversified over the years to meet varied needs in the business world. As experts in this field, we understand that effective team building must offer more than just a moment of relaxation; it must be designed to meet specific goals, whether to strengthen team bonds, stimulate creativity, or create a space for rejuvenation. Here are, according to our expertise, the different types of team building:

Festive

Festive team buildings are designed to encourage relaxation and interaction in a light and friendly atmosphere. By providing participants a space to unwind, these events help create shared memories outside the usual work setting. Dance parties, karaoke, and themed evenings are common formats that encourage interaction and strengthen camaraderie among colleagues.

Adventure

Adventure activities are perfect for teams looking for challenges and self-improvement. These often include outdoor sports such as hiking, climbing, or obstacle courses, and aim to develop mutual trust and team spirit. They create memorable experiences that allow participants to push their limits while strengthening interpersonal bonds.

Nature

Nature-focused team buildings offer an immersion in natural environments, where teams can reconnect with the essentials. These activities, like guided walks or immersive outdoor experiences, promote relaxation and allow participants to enjoy the benefits of nature. This type of team building in nature is ideal for encouraging reflection and cohesion in a calming setting, away from daily distractions.

Relaxation and Wellness

Zen-type activities sare oriented towards well-being and relaxation. They often include yoga, meditation, or stress management workshops and aim to provide a space for rejuvenation for teams. This type of team building is appreciated for its calming effect and allows participants to reconnect with themselves while strengthening the overall well-being and serenity of the team.

Gastronomic

Gastronomic team building uses cooking and tasting as tools for cohesion. Through culinary workshops or tastings of local products, teams discover new flavors while working together in a relaxed setting. These activities stimulate creativity and promote a spirit of collaboration and conviviality around gastronomy, making the experience enjoyable and memorable.

Artistic

Creative activities, such as painting, weaving, or embroidery, offer teams a different means of expression, stimulating collective creativity. By encouraging personal expression and experimentation, these workshops allow participants to discover themselves in a new light and explore their artistic talents in a collaborative atmosphere.

Event-Based

Event-based team buildings leverage calendar events to allow teams to celebrate significant moments of the year together, such as year-end parties or thematic shows. These activities rely on shared highlights to strengthen the sense of belonging and recognition within the team. Celebrations and significant events are opportunities for participants to come together around common goals.

Virtual

For geographically dispersed or remote teams, virtual team building is an alternative that maintains cohesion at a distance. Online escape games, collaborative workshops, or problem-solving sessions are examples of engaging virtual activities that encourage collaboration. This type of team building adapts to hybrid environments and allows teams to stay connected despite the distance, thanks to video conferencing and online collaboration technologies.

Concrete benefits of Team Building for your company

Why is team building important? Beyond being a friendly activity, it addresses deep issues in terms of well-being at work and performance. Several studies and statistics emphasize the importance of team cohesion, colleague support, and job satisfaction for the effectiveness and fulfillment of employees.

Increasing Productivity

Team building activities play a vital role in creating an environment that improves productivity, while promoting collaboration and team cohesion. A study by TeamBuildingHub reveals that organizations with strong engagement within their teams see a 17% increase in productivity and a 41% reduction in absenteeism. Additionally, a collaborative work environment can even increase sales by 27%, underscoring the direct impact of team building on performance.

A positive work environment, fostered by team building activities, directly contributes to engagement and productivity. According to a study by United Heroes, 83% of employees state that team building activities enhance their sense of belonging, a crucial factor for motivation and loyalty to the company. (United Heroes, 2023).

Strengthening corporate culture

affirment rester plus longtemps dans leur entreprise en raison d’un fort sentiment de communauté et de cohésion. Selon ,
Team building is essential for building and strengthening a positive corporate culture, creating shared experiences that allow employees to feel connected and engaged. Nearly 54% of employees say they stay longer at their company because of a strong sense of community and cohesion. According to Flair HR, 73% of employees believe that more team building would be beneficial for the corporate culture, encouraging employees to feel valued and aligned around common goals.

In the era of hybrid work, a majority of these workers report feeling disconnected from their colleagues, according to the 2022 HubSpot Hybrid Work Report. In this context, team building activities—whether physical or virtual—help recreate connections and strengthen interpersonal relationships, even from a distance.

Improving internal processes

Team building activities help detect and mitigate dysfunctions or tensions within teams. By participating in collaborative activities, employees learn to better understand each other, which helps resolve conflicts and improve communication. According to a GitLab report, 75% of employees believe that collaboration is essential, but only 18% receive training on communication during performance evaluations. Furthermore, a lack of collaboration and communication is considered the main factor of failure in 86% of company projects.

By promoting regular exchanges and group activities, team building helps build this mutual trust, translating into more efficient decision-making within teams. These elements are especially crucial for companies adopting flexible work models.

Encouraging innovation and creativity

Collaborative work environments stimulate innovation and creativity. According to research published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, well-coordinated and cohesive teams are more likely to share their ideas and propose innovative solutions. By fostering constructive exchanges, team building helps strengthen this creative spirit and fully harness individual talents. Through activities that stimulate everyone’s expression, companies can foster an innovative climate.

Increasing engagement and retention

According to a study by United Heroes, 83% of employees affirm that team building activities enhance their sense of belonging, a crucial factor for motivation and loyalty to the company (United Heroes, 2023). Team building activities strengthen the sense of belonging, which directly contributes to employee engagement and retention. A Gallup study demonstrated that managers influence up to 70% of the variability in team engagement. Moreover, engaged employees reduce turnover by 24% and increase profitability by 21%. These figures show that team building, by contributing to better cohesion, has a direct impact on retention and long-term success of the company.

Strengthening well-being and reducing stress

According to a report by the SPF Employment in Belgium, 15% of Belgian workers report feeling often or always stressed (SPF Employment, 2023). Chronic stress can affect productivity and increase the risk of absenteeism. By creating moments of connection and relaxation, team building allows teams to reduce tensions and improve well-being, especially with Zen team building activities. Activities focused on relaxation or mindfulness can reduce stress levels and strengthen employees’ resilience.

Prevent.be explains that nearly 17% of Belgian workers show symptoms of burnout, a phenomenon particularly prevalent in demanding sectors. Team building helps reduce these risks by improving job satisfaction and providing employees with moments of rejuvenation. The sense of recognition and positive relationships within the team play a major preventive role against professional exhaustion.

Examples of team Building activities in Belgium

Tree Climbing and Zip Lines in the Forest

Tree climbing offers an immersive experience in nature, where participants face obstacle courses at height, with zip lines for an adrenaline rush. This type of activity allows teams to strengthen mutual trust, courage, and teamwork, all while enjoying the natural beauty of Belgian forests.

Electric Scooter Hiking

Discover the Belgian landscapes in a unique and eco-friendly way on an electric scooter. Suitable for teams of all levels, this dynamic and friendly hike encourages cooperation and communication, while allowing participants to discover picturesque natural sites.

Guided Forest Walk with Biodiversity Discovery

Accompanied by a guide, teams can explore the biodiversity of Belgian forests during guided walks. This activity is perfect for groups wanting to reconnect with nature and enjoy a moment of calm, ideal for stimulating reflection and relaxation.

Survival Workshop in Nature

Experiencing survival in nature is an excellent way to strengthen collaboration. During this workshop, teams learn the basics of survival – lighting a fire, building a shelter, finding potable water – in a natural setting, promoting teamwork and resilience.

Yoga Session on the Belgian Coast

Enjoy a yoga session in nature to recharge and strengthen team serenity. Led by an instructor, this activity helps release tensions, improve concentration, and balance the mental and physical well-being of participants.

Collective Painting Workshop

Teams can unleash their creativity with a collaborative painting workshop. Together, participants create a collective artwork, stimulating personal expression and artistic collaboration, and providing a tangible souvenir of their experience.

Collective Cooking with a Chef

Cooking workshops allow teams to prepare a meal together under the guidance of a chef. By working hand in hand to create a recipe, participants strengthen their team spirit and share a convivial moment around gastronomy.

Tasting of Local Products

Discovering local Belgian products as a group is an excellent way to enhance conviviality. Tastings of beers, chocolates, or other local specialties allow participants to share a unique gastronomic experience and celebrate Belgian culture.

Why choose Brasero for your team building? ?

Brasero, the expert in natural and experiential Team Building

With deep expertise in designing experiences in nature, Brasero positions itself as a specialist in immersive team building in Belgium. More than just organizing events, we offer companies a thoughtful and strategic approach to team reinforcement, combining the invigorating energy of the Ardennes landscapes with activities carefully adapted to the specific needs of each group. For companies looking to break from routine and bring new dynamics to their teams, we provide an authentic setting, away from offices and screens.

A Unique Natural Setting for Enhanced Cohesion

Nestled in the heart of the Belgian Ardennes, Brasero benefits from an exceptional environment to host a variety of activities: adventure courses, wellness workshops, creative and culinary sessions, and even festive evening events. This setting is ideal for strengthening bonds, offering a space for rejuvenation, and providing experiences that leave a lasting impression. Each activity invites teams to disconnect and enjoy the essentials, fostering exchange, reflection, and solidarity in a serene and inspiring setting.

Tailored Experiences to Meet Your Goals

For us, each team building is designed as a custom experience, developed according to the goals of the company. Whether your aim is to improve communication, develop creativity, strengthen trust, or simply provide a moment of relaxation for your colleagues, we tailor our activities to perfectly meet your expectations. From design to execution, each step is planned to maximize the positive impact of the experience on teams, relying on unique expertise and attentive listening to your needs.

Proof of Trust: Solid Partnerships and Positive Testimonials

Many companies already trust us to create experiences that go beyond simple team building. Testimonials from satisfied clients confirm the effectiveness of our approach and the lasting impact on team cohesion, employee satisfaction, and engagement within the company. We have conducted activities forDeloitte, Wallonie Entreprendre, Ecostal, Axa Belgium, CooperVision, Xenics, KPMG, Leidgens, Decathlon, Meibles Mailleux, Yves Rocher, Cible Communication, SigueSol & la RTBF.

We also organize seminars in exceptional locations

Organizing a seminar with us means offering your teams much more than just a meeting place: it’s giving them an unforgettable experience in exceptional settings. Our venues, such as the majestic Château de la Louveterie and the peaceful Domaine de Bronromme, are nestled in the heart of the Ardennes and provide a unique immersion in Belgian nature. These private and inspiring spaces allow teams to recharge, fully focus on their goals, and forge bonds in an extraordinary environment.

Customized and Adapted Seminars to Meet Your Needs

Like our team building activities, each seminar is designed to precisely meet the expectations of your company. We create custom experiences that blend nature and comfort, allowing participants to work under optimal conditions while enjoying the natural spaces surrounding them. Whether you wish to organize work sessions, reflection workshops, or moments of relaxation as a team, our venues are designed to stimulate creativity, cohesion, and well-being of your collaborators.

Our exceptional venues offer a unique and privatized setting, where every detail is carefully considered to make your event memorable. Our venues create an environment conducive to exchanges and collaboration. By choosing Brasero, you offer your teams an immersive and inspiring experience, away from daily distractions, where each seminar becomes an opportunity to strengthen commitment and unite around a common vision.