By Andrés Uribe, Expedition PR
We’ve all heard of the lavish corporate retreats that large companies are at times known to take; flying the whole team to Las Vegas or some other resort destination all for the sake of team building and increasing employee engagement. And while there might be some merit to playing host to an office team building event, not every office is equipped to do something quite so extravagant, nor do they need to. As the weather continues to warm up in New York, here are a few things that the city has to offer that you can treat your employees to on a budget:
Mini-Olympics – If you play sports in the city, you’ve probably heard of Chelsea Piers. With the only golf driving range in Manhattan, and host to a wide range of other sports, Chelsea Piers is truly a state-of-the-art sporting facility. While the term ‘Mini-Olympics’ might sound intimidating to some, there’s no need to worry, the staff at Chelsea Piers will customize your experience based on the level of physical activity your team is capable of.
Photo Scavenger Hunt – First and foremost, New York City is a city known for its sights. People can spend years living here and still not see all New York has to offer. One way to help your employees combat this problem while getting to know each other better is through a city photo scavenger hunt. Although you can find many online, or you can even make your own, I choose this one for the social media component that allows you to see who else is competing in the #NYCScavHunt! And another great perk about an office scavenger hunt is the only budgeting you need to do for this activity is time.
Brooklyn Boulders – Assembling a team who can climb to the top of your market is no easy task, especially if your team doesn’t know how to climb. Brooklyn Boulder is “The only dedicated and largest indoor rock climbing facility in New York City.” With special corporate team building packages designed to build trust and camaraderie amongst your group, Brooklyn Boulder is more than prepared to host your next work outing. While pricing for the corporate packages are on a call in basis, to give you an idea of what you might be spending, a day pass at Brooklyn Boulder will run you $30 per person.
Summer Fridays – Although not quite a teambuilding activity, it is a way, without any additional budgeting, to show your employees that your appreciate their hard work. ‘Summer Fridays’ generally mean a half day off, full day off, or work from home half/full day on Friday during the summer months. This perk is especially enjoyed by those looking to get an early start on their weekend in the Hamptons, as the “Cannonball” express service LIRR to Montauk leaves at 4:07pm from Penn Station.
Whatever you do with your team this summer, make sure you embrace the summer sun and get out! Before you know it the city will once again turn into a cold, miserable, slush of snow and ice that will have you contemplating moving to Florida.