If you’ve been ‘arrowed’ with organising a team-building event at work, you might be tempted to throw together a catered lunch in a meeting room. However, successful workplace cohesion activities require careful consideration of numerous elements, not least of which is the challenge of pleasing everyone.

Don't let the stress overwhelm you—our handy list of tips will guide you in planning bonding activities that are not only enjoyable but also effective at fostering camaraderie among colleagues.

Tip 1: Understand Your Team’s Needs

The first step in planning a team-building event is to assess your team’s demographics, job roles and interests. For instance, if your team members are primarily older, organising a fast-paced laser tag battle with loud music might not be the best idea.

Instead, consider a lower-impact activity that accommodates all fitness levels while still offering a challenge, like an afternoon of bowling at Westwood Bowl at CSC @ Bukit Batok, or a cooking class or friendly MasterChef competition. The aim is to gently push team members out of their comfort zones without overwhelming them.

Tip 2: Facilitate Deeper Connections

The next step is to clearly outline the session’s goals, in order to choose the right activity for your cohesion event, whether it's inculcating a sense of belonging to the organisation, developing departmental culture, improving productivity, or teaching conflict resolution.

For example, you might want to hone specific teamwork skills like communication and consensus-building, or boost creativity in problem-solving. At the Ground Up rock climbing facility at CSC @ Tessensohn, scaling a rock wall involves more than just physical strength – participants must ‘solve’ each wall by figuring out which hand or foot hold offers them the best odds of progressing upwards.

Tip 3: Choose the Right Location and Activity

Once you’ve shortlisted suitable activities, book the appropriate facility or space. For example, Planet Bowl at CSC @ Tessensohn offers a cosier playing environment, with 10 lanes on each side. This layout encourages better interaction between colleagues. On the other hand, Westwood Bowl at CSC @ Bukit Batok offers spaciousness with its 24 lanes positioned side by side.

For more indoor activities, try cooking together — or in a friendly competition format — at CSC @ Tessensohn’s Cookery Studio, or learn simple dance steps at the clubhouse’s Dance Studio.

If flexibility and variety are crucial, consider the multi-purpose hall at CSC @ Tessensohn for team sports like captain’s ball or even a telematch, or explore water sports at Ohana Beach House.

Don’t limit yourself to function spaces. The larger CSC chalets, with their sprawling lawns, provide ample room for outdoor games and relay races. Their amenities also make it easy to conduct wind-down activities such as BBQs. Units like Changi Cottage, Fairy Point Chalets and Loyang’s Sea-view Bungalows come with the added bonus of heritage charm.

Tip 4: Plan Ahead with Some Help

Planning well in advance allows you to manage any unforeseen circumstances smoothly. Establishing a clear budget, objective and headcount will streamline the process. If your activity is outdoors, have a wet weather contingency plan. Do prioritise safety measures and first aid provisions. And visit the venue before finalising your booking to confirm it meets all your requirements and expectations

In today's hybrid event landscape, it's important to provide virtual participation options for team members who can't attend in person. CSC clubhouses are equipped with video conferencing facilities and mobile LED screens to meet these needs. For larger gatherings, the auditorium at CSC @ Tessensohn provides a comfortable setting, fully equipped with advanced audio and video technology.

Additionally, CSC @ Tessensohn and CSC @ Changi offer CoWork@Gov spaces. These facilities save Public Service Officers the hassle of commuting for half-day team-building activities, providing a convenient and efficient environment for continued productivity.

Tip 5: Get the Energy Going with Ice-Breaker Games

Kick off the activity by helping everyone relax and socialise with fun ice-breaker games.

For teams meeting for the first time, 'human bingo' is an excellent choice. In this game, players search for colleagues who match specific descriptions, such as “Someone who has worked here more than five years” or “Someone who enjoys cooking”. Each name can appear only once on a bingo sheet, encouraging players to interact and mingle to complete their sheets.

For teams already acquainted, ice-breaker games can deepen connections. Consider the 'deserted island' game, where each person shares three items they would bring to a deserted island and explains their choices. Alternatively, 'Guess Who?' involves players writing a fun fact about themselves and placing it in a box. Everyone draws a fact, reads it aloud and guesses who it belongs to, sparking conversation and laughter.

Tip 6: Include Some Wellness Elements

Employee well-being is more than just a buzzword — it's a vital component of organisational sustainability that many companies are prioritising. Start an intra-office badminton tournament with a group warm-up session, or offer a healthy vegan meal at CSC @ Changi’s Canopy outlet.

For public service agencies, if your group has 30 or more people, CSC offers an exclusive complimentary 15-minute wellness activity as an add-on to your cohesion activities at any CSC Clubhouse. Options include chair yoga, meditation, deep relaxation techniques and deep breathing exercises. These activities not only foster physical well-being but also help in reducing stress and enhancing creative thinking.

Tip 7: Draw Reflections and Feedback from Participants

After the activity concludes, don't hesitate to request feedback from participants. This will help you determine the success of the cohesion session and gather insights that are crucial for planning future bonding events — understanding what worked well and what didn't.

Reflecting on the experience is also beneficial for participants, enhancing their awareness of its impact. Organisers can facilitate a post-event sharing session by posing a few simple questions like “What's something you've learnt from the event?” or “What part of your experience did you find most enjoyable, and why?” This encourages participants to reflect on and discuss their experiences.

Tip 8: Keep the Momentum Going Post-Event

Capture the memorable moments created together as a team by designating a colleague to be the on-site photographer. Compile these images into an e-photobook that can be easily shared with all team members.

Additionally, record videos to create a highlights reel that everyone can enjoy, particularly if it includes some humorous moments. You might also print out Polaroid photos of the group, allowing participants to sign each other’s copies as a keepsake.

Implementing these tips will ensure your cohesion activity is well-organised and effective, bringing people closer — not only at the event venue but also when the team is back in the office.

Organising a team-building activity for your agency? Click here to discover the ideal facility at CSC clubhouses for your event! Or click here to learn how CSC can help you tailor a start-to-end solution for your corporate cohesion experience. You can also send your enquiry here.