At Angus Soft Fruits, we pride ourselves on fostering a strong sense of teamwork and camaraderie and support events that encourage teamwork among our employees. Recently, our incredible team of berry specialists from our East Seaton office took part in the challenging Tough Mudder Scotland 15k event, aptly named ‘What a bunch of fruits!’ and our Commercial Team – Who are usually spread across the UK – came together for a day of team building exercises in Birmingham.
The Tough Mudder Challenge:
The Tough Mudder Scotland 15k is not for the faint-hearted. It tests participants physically, mentally, and emotionally, pushing them to their limits. It requires determination, resilience, and most importantly, teamwork. Our team of berry specialists, ‘What a bunch of fruits!’, embarked on this adventure, demonstrating the power of collaboration and solidarity. Their success serves as a testament to the importance of team building activities.
The Birmingham Team Building Day:
To further enhance team dynamics and skills, we organised a memorable team building day in Birmingham for our Commercial Team. This event was designed to engage our Commercial Team in activities that would be fun and foster essential skills for an effective and cohesive team.
The day began with inspirational speaker Ben Hanlin, who shared insights on engaging an audience effectively. This session aimed to develop our employees’ communication skills, helping them become better presenters and collaborators. Learning to engage listeners is crucial in any workplace scenario, whether delivering a pitch, presenting ideas, or leading a team.
Next, our team had the opportunity to engage in role-playing exercises where they were assigned various scenarios and asked to pitch ideas as a team. This activity honed their presentation skills and promoted teamwork, as they had to collaborate, listen to each other’s ideas, and find common ground. The exercise encouraged creative thinking while sharpening their ability to work together towards a common goal.
We introduced our team to a thrilling VR gaming experience to conclude the day. In this virtual world, they were faced with challenging scenarios where working together was a matter of life or death, figuratively speaking. This immersive experience required quick decision-making, effective communication, and collaborative problem-solving. Our employees learned the importance of trust, cooperation, and collective effort in high-pressure situations by overcoming these virtual challenges as a team.
But what are the benefits of taking time out of the normal day for team building activities? We have taken some time to chat with our colleagues about the benefits they gained following their team building activities; here’s their feedback:
- Enhances Collaboration and Communication:
Team building activities give employees unique opportunities to interact outside their regular work environment. Individuals learn to communicate effectively, listen to one another, and strategies by engaging in physical challenges that require cooperation. This experience fosters a sense of trust and collaboration that translates into improved productivity and efficiency in the workplace.
- Boosts Morale and Motivation:
Participating in physically demanding or immersive challenges can be an exhilarating experience. It pushes individuals out of their comfort zones, allowing them to recognise their inner strength and capabilities. As team members support and motivate each other through obstacles, a sense of achievement and camaraderie is forged, creating a positive work environment and boosting overall morale and motivation.
- Develops Problem-Solving Skills:
Team building activities often present unexpected challenges that require quick thinking and problem-solving. Employees learn to think on their feet, adapt to new situations, and find innovative solutions by engaging in these activities. These problem-solving skills can be directly applied to the workplace, enabling teams to overcome obstacles and handle complex projects more efficiently.
- Fosters Trust and Cooperation:
For any business to thrive, trust and cooperation are essential. Team building activities create an environment where employees learn to trust and rely on one another. By facing challenges together, individuals gain a deeper understanding of their colleagues’ strengths and weaknesses, fostering a culture of support and cooperation within our business.
The triumph of our ‘What a Bunch of Fruits!’ team in Tough Mudder Scotland 15k and the subsequent team building day in Birmingham exemplify the significance of team building activities. By engaging in a range of experiences, such as inspiring speaker sessions, role-playing exercises, and physical and immersive activities, our employees further honed their communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. These activities not only enhance individual abilities but also foster a unified and motivated team.
