1.      Ensure that all your team are included. You cannot build a team if only selected members are involved. Do not select an activity that some will love, but that will leave others feeling left out. What might be a passion for one may be a real turn-off for a colleague. Ideally a workshop or event that has facets that appeal to different skill-sets is best.

2.      Decide on your objectives and stick to them. If your event is just to let off steam and have fun, that’s fine. However a really involved team building session can be much more than that. In today’s economic climate you will want to get excellent return on investment for any expenditure and so careful thought and planning is essential. Sometimes a properly facilitated discussion will achieve more than a very expensive off-site jolly!

3.      Get help from a professional organisation. Team building can be a bit like DIY. You could muddle through to the end result, but it is unlikely you will get a professional finish unless you get in experts. Often,when you take into account the opportunity cost of your own time it is actually cheaper too!

4.      Be realistic with your budget. Although times are tough, £20 per head will buy you a cinema ticket and popcorn. Team building doesn’t need to cost the earth – but at the same time you have to consider the considerable value it can add to your business. A modest investment today can prove dividends over tough times ahead.

5.      Select a suitable venue. Although by doing something on-site you can save money; it is often a great boost to morale and productivity to get into a fresh environment. It is a lot easier to achieve some “blue sky thinking” if you can actually see a bit of blue sky! Most team-building companies will source a venue for your group free of charge.

6.      Be realistic with your expectations, major problems cannot be overcome in a morning. Often you will need to consider a longer term strategy with a more gradual route to team harmony.

7.      Consider the time of year and the climate. It is always best to plan fot the worst and in the UK that usually means rain! It might be character building to have the team orientiering in the middle of winter, but its not particularly productive if they all have the week off with flu. Although a great bonding experience a pig farming trip to Mexico might not add much value to your balance sheet either!

8.      Be innovative, but don’t try and re-invent the wheel. Trying to find something fresh is always difficult, however certain activities are worth repeating as they get results. Sometimes in a quest to be different you can forget the fundamentals of what you’re looking to achieve.

9.      Be calm and enjoy the process. You probably won’t be able to please everyone, but remember this is supposed to be fun.

Build on your success by publishing photos on your intranet and displaying reminders in the office. This will ensure everyone remembers the day for as long as possible!