Memories of some of the most amazing team building moments at MANGO-OMC
If you have been following my blog since the beginning, you would have probably noticed that I have always put an emphasis on the importance of team work and working in coordination with other team members. However, I have to admit that it is actually my journey as a PR intern at MANGO-OMC that has made me realise how important team work is.
What most people don’t always understand (and that I didn’t know either), is that trust and effective team work is often built through several activities or circumstances that don’t touch on the core business in which the teams are involved.
This thought became clear to me when I started remembering the numerous team building activities and outings that we’ve done throughout this year. Those moments have reinforced the team and helped us to know each other outside of the spec of work and consequently develop trust and an effective group cohesion.
1. Zip Lining
During last year’s end of the year function, the entire team went for a session of Zip Lining in the Hottentots Holland mountains. Unfortunately I was too terrified to take part in what was later revealed to be a life changing and incredible experience, but this gave me a sense of the importance of taking some time to go out of the office and build such adventurous memories as a group.
2. Celebration of everyone’s birthdays
Throughout this year, we’ve had quite a few celebrations in the office. On their birthday, every team member has been spoilt with splendid flowers followed by either a birthday breakfast, or a lunch. What makes those moments special is not necessarily the presents or the things received but simply the genuine mark of affection and consideration toward everyone.
3. MANGO Celebration
After postponing it quite a few times, we finally got to celebrate our latest achievements during a sunny Friday afternoon in August. After dining at one of the finest restaurants in the Woodstock area, we turned into investigators during a great team building game; Hint Hunt. This was another occasion for us to come out of our comfort zone and spend some time together outside of the office.
If you notice that we are all wearing slippers in the pic – YES, it was Slipper Day and we ventured out into the streets of Woodstock and into Biscuit Mill wearing slippers…those stickers were a savior or the Fashion Police would have been activated…
4. MANGO Running Club
Along with three of my team members, we have recently started a running club. Two to three times a week we meet after work and take a run in the Woodstock area. This idea came about when we all realized that we needed to exercise but didn’t know how to go about it. Our first sessions have been highly beneficial; together as a team we’ve set objectives and decided to motivate each other to achieve them.
5. Friday afternoon talks
Implemented just a few months ago, our Friday talks – either in the balcony or inside the office are great moments during which we just decide to “stop and chill”. We get to share our week, our expectations and our plans around a glass. We find it particularly important to stop and reflect and this has also proven to be a great ice breaker.
A lot of the activities above also come about through our Innovation Meetings, where we all get to come up with ideas that will make working life more productive and nurture innovation. We have bells in the office now that we ring when there is something to be acknowledged as « great ». We have bluetooth speakers so that music can be played when we all feel like it – we have devised systems that benefit the entire team in terms of productivity – and so the list goes on.
I suppose the morale of this experience can be summarised as: teams that play together, stay together.