Team Building Trends Singapore
Team building is a traditional pillar of organisational development meant to strengthen team performance, employee morale and productivity.
At times, it can be cringeworthy. But in recent years, these team bonding activities as we know them have changed dramatically, with workplace structures shifting, new technologies developing, and employees with evolving needs entering the workforce.
While organisations navigate to stay abreast with these changes, grasping and leveraging the latest team building trends can make all the difference.
This guide aims to shed light on the evolution of modern team building initiatives and practices, which have firmly taken roots in Singapore, highlighting how these novel methods are paving the way for new norms of corporate team building on an international level.
The Evolution of Team Building
In the past, team building was often seen as a boondoggle, an annual retreat, or something fun and lighthearted sprinkled into the work week.
Gradually, we came to better understand the strategic value of team building, and we began to integrate it into more deliberate organisational development plans.
Today’s team-building activities are written with specific team dynamics and organisational challenges in mind, well beyond fun and games – and just as essential to organisational strategy.
Current Trends in Team Building
Hybrid and Remote Team Building
Virtual team building has become crucial with the rise of remote work that has gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic as a necessary form of interaction, and continues as more organisations opt to maintain hybrid working models.
Where in-person activities like office parties may have provided a sense of community for remote teams in the pre-pandemic era, virtual team-building events like planning an online escape room or a virtual happy hour help support remote team engagement even from a distance.
In-Person Team Building Revival
In spite of virtual teams, team-building events are making a bit of a comeback because they serve an important purpose of fostering deeper personal connections among team members and they facilitate ad hoc interactions organically, which isn’t always possible virtually.
Organisations are opting to host smaller, local events that encourage in-person connections without requiring teams to travel great distances.
Diversity and Inclusion Focus
Contemporary team building is also frequently informed by diversity and inclusion training.
team building activities centered on these topics allow teams to bring to life what it means to ‘understand and celebrate differences’, thereby building more inclusive cultures in the workplace.
Such workshops may include team building activities like unconscious bias awareness sessions, cultural competency training, and facilitated discussions aimed at learning more about team members’ personal identities and unique stories.
Innovative Team Building Activities
Hobby and Skill-Based Activities
These reflect the new-found emphasis on more personal and meaningful engagements, where team building activities that are hobby- or skill-based have been incorporated in team-building programmes.
Whether it’s a group cooking class, a walk with an experienced photographer, or a DIY woodworking project, such engagements not only still aid the team-building agenda, but also deliver opportunities for relaxation for the employees, and allow them to learn new skills together.
Positive Impact and Community Service
Some of these trendy team-building activities include some kind of community service or environmental stewardship, which has the advantage of having both team-building and corporate social responsibility objectives.
For example, a common team-building activity in a corporate setting might be an activity in which employees and managers physically help the community, such as a beach cleanup or a visit to a food bank.
Technology-Enhanced Experiences
Some team-building activities are now using VR, AR and other digital technology to immerse participants in simulations of challenging environments or scenarios. These include virtual treasure hunts and strategy simulations that require both teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Adapting to New Workplace Dynamics
Rebuilding Workplace Culture
Since most work is done at a distance, it can be especially challenging to keep a company culture together and team-building can be a real boon when it comes to creating and maintaining a team ‘spirit’.
Team-building activities, especially for distributed teams, can be a regular way to reinforce and embed the company’s values and culture, re-energising employees with the company’s mission and ethos.
Rethinking Hiring and Onboarding
Onboarding, the process of integrating new hires into a team context, is also a key venue for contemporary team-building activities, in which newcomers meet with existing team members for activities designed to inform but more importantly welcome and integrate the new members into the team.
Best Trending Team Building Activities in Singapore
1. Terrarium Making Workshop
| Team Size | 5 Pax – Unlimited Pax |
| Price | From $30 per pax |
| Duration | 1-1.5 Hours + 30 Mins Set Up & De-Brief |
| Activity Type | Indoor |
| Website | www.funempire.com/terrarium/ |
Engage your team’s creative side with a Terrarium Making Workshop. This activity not only encourages creativity but also promotes environmental awareness.
Participants work together to create small ecosystems in glass containers, which they can take back to their desks, serving as a lasting reminder of teamwork and the importance of nurturing relationships, both plant-based and personal.
Client Testimonial
Rekha was a really good trainer/instructor for the Terrarium class I attended on 21/12/22. She was patient and knowledgeable about the steps to make a terrarium, and also happily shared how to take care of the plant. Highly recommend her as a good instructor!
Eunice
Check out Terrarium Workshop here
2. Laser Tag
| Team Size | 6 Pax – Unlimited Pax |
| Price | From $25/Pax |
| Duration | 1 to 2 hours |
| Activity Type | Indoor and Outdoor options available |
| Website | www.funempire.com/laser-tag/ |
Laser tag is an exhilarating activity that involves strategy, teamwork, and quick thinking. It’s an excellent way for teams to engage in a little friendly competition while building communication and leadership skills. The fast-paced nature of the game ensures that team members have to work closely together to outmaneuver their opponents, making it a perfect exercise for strengthening team dynamics.
Client Testimonial
10 out of 10! I would definitely recommend FunEmpire!
Hawksford
3. Giant Board Games
| Team Size | No Minimum Pax |
| Price | From $15 per person |
| Duration | 1 to 2 hours |
| Activity Type | Indoor and Outdoor options available |
| Website | www.funempire.com/giant-board-games/ |
Giant board games transform classic games like Jenga, Connect Four, and Chess into larger-than-life experiences. These activities require teamwork, patience, and strategic planning, providing a relaxed yet challenging environment for team members to interact and collaborate.
The physical scale of the games makes them not only fun but also visually impactful, adding an element of novelty to the team-building session.
Client Testimonial
Had fun with the games conducted at site with The Cage@Kallang. Amazed with the giant UNO cards, giant Jenga and giant dice for Snakes and Ladder. Instructions given were clear and straightforward from the facilitators. Would have been better if they are able to drive us with enthusiasm from their energy and to manage the change in teams/opponents to match-up for the scores.
Pearlyn เพิรล์ลิน
Check out Giant Board Games here
4. Escape Room
| Team Size | 4 Pax – Unlimited Pax |
| Price | From $28/Pax |
| Duration | 1 Hour Gameplay + 30 Mins Set Up & De-Brief |
| Activity Type | In-person and Virtual game options available |
| Website | www.funempire.com/escape-room/ |
Escape rooms are thrilling adventure games in which teams are locked in a room and have to use elements of the room to solve a series of puzzles, find clues, and escape within a set time limit.
This activity demands critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity, pushing teams to their limits in a race against time. It’s an engaging way to enhance problem-solving capabilities and communication within a team.
Client Testimonial
Our team had a fantastic time at FunEmpire’s Time Travel themed Escape game! A big thank you for providing the perfect setting for our corporate team building event, and our facilitator made it even more enjoyable with their guidance!
SARAH D.
5. Bullet Strike
| Team Size | 8 Pax – Unlimited Pax |
| Price | From $20 per person |
| Duration | 1 Hour Gameplay |
| Activity Type | Indoor and Outdoor options available |
| Website | www.funempire.com/bullet-strike/ |
Bullet Strike, also known as Nerf gun battles, is a team activity that involves elements of strategy and physical activity. Teams are equipped with foam dart guns and are tasked with capturing the opponent’s flag or eliminating players by hitting them with foam darts.
This playful and energetic game is perfect for reducing stress, strategic thinking, boost morale, enhance teamwork, and promoting a spirited competitive spirit among colleagues.
Client Testimonial
Battling with nerf guns got levelled up a lot with FunEmpire’s bullet strike! Highly recommend!
Denise
Future Outlook
Looking ahead, we expect these trends to continue to evolve as practices motivate changes in the real-world nature of work and as the future of team building continues to be shaped by how we work today and tomorrow.
Companies of all sizes and shapes will continue to develop flexible methodologies for planning, designing and executing team building, tailoring their approaches to individual needs, with particular emphasis on inclusive practices.
Team Building Trends Singapore
To sum up, while team building has sometimes been misunderstood and misused, it nevertheless remains a powerful tool for improving organisational effectiveness.
As long as firms are sensitive to contemporary trends, and select – and adapt – activities that match the needs of evolving workforces, they will be able to not only improve team cohesion and morale but also further their broader strategic goals.
Firms that adopt team building practices that are novel, inclusive and flexible will be best-positioned to succeed in the corporate worlds of tomorrow.
Check out some of our other related articles and guides below:
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- Best Team Building Companies in Singapore (2024)
- Best Team Building Venues In Singapore (2024)
- Ultimate Guide To The Objective of Team Building in Singapore (2024)
- Why Is Team Building Important in Singapore (2024)
- Best Team Celebration Ideas Singapore (2024)
- Best Team Building Personality Tests in Singapore (2024)
- Inspiring Team Building Movies Every Leader Should Watch in Singapore (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions about team building trends in Singapore, you can refer to the frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Team Building Trends In Singapore below:
What is team building?
Team building refers to an array of activities organised with the aim of tightening social relations and defining roles within teams, usually through collaborative tasks. It’s used to ensure the optimal functioning of a team, the quality of communication among team members, and cohesion of the group.
What are the best trending team building activities in Singapore?
The most trending team building activities to try for team building in Singapore include terrarium making, laser tag, escape room, and bullet strike.
Why is team building important in the workplace?
Team building is one of the most important events to create a good working culture, increase employee’s satisfaction, and improve their productivity. It help each other to know more about other’s strength and weakness, as well as their interests. As a result, people may be able to help each other to finish work in a better way.
How has team building changed with the advent of remote work?
The new trend of remote working has brought in many changes to the formation of teams. One of the major reformation is the numerous virtual activities that have to be carried online. Virtual team building activities such as virtual escape room experience and virtual amazing race serve as a way to keep the members of the entire team together. It is a source of continuous engagement and interaction between the members of the team which in turn keeps them connected and considered.
How can team building support diversity and inclusion?
Team-building exercises that espouse diversity and inclusion involve cross-cultural training; seminars and diversity workshops that emphasise cultural differences; and discussions and lectures that advocate challenging bias and embracing diversity.
How do modern team building activities in Singapore foster a positive work culture?
Modern team building activities suitable for today’s dynamic workplace environment in Singapore are meticulously designed to foster a positive work culture. These sessions provide valuable insights into professional development, encouraging participants to uncover and leverage their unique strengths. By engaging in challenges against rival teams or collaborating on future initiatives, employees experience firsthand the importance of communication, adaptability, and teamwork. Such activities not only boost morale but also lay the groundwork for a collaborative and innovative company culture, essential for the successful implementation process of organizational goals.
