Summer may be over, but there are still plenty of ways to keep your team happy and motivated throughout the busy season. These team-building activities are great no matter what the weather is like outside.
A. Host an Afternoon Movie Trip
Winters here in Wisconsin are notoriously cold and dark. We once rented out an entire theater for a private showing of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." It was something for our team to look forward to and we really enjoyed it. We took the afternoon off, ordered pizzas and a few pitchers of beer, and kicked back for a few hours. The thrill of playing hooky for the afternoon was a lot of fun for everyone. - Paul Hager, Information Technology Professionals
A. Include Family and Friends
As the holidays approach, a great opportunity to build team rapport is to incorporate your team's family and friends into company events. Whether it's a casual dinner or a game night, keep the event open to guests so that your team can interact with the important individuals in each other's lives. This allows for deeper collaboration and understanding. - Roger Lee, Captain401
A. Go on Winter Getaways
I take my team to a beach destination every summer (this year, we went to Bermuda), but I've also started doing a mid-February retreat that everyone loves. Think hearty dinners and fireplaces intermixed with brainstorming sessions over (spiked) cider! Keep that energy going all year round by getting out of the office and into some cabins with your colleagues. - Elliot Tomaeno, Astrsk PR
A. Pick Fall Activities to Keep the Fun Going
My team and I have gone to pumpkin patches and done mazes, pumpkin carving competitions, and other fun seasonal ideas. It shows that team building can be done all year round. If the weather is still nice, you can even do outdoor activities like hikes, scavenger hunts, community runs or walks for charity. - Murray Newlands, Due
A. Sign Up For Seasonal Volunteer Opportunities
As we move into fall weather, one way we keep the collaborative vibe in our office is by searching for monthly volunteer activities that are in keeping with the season. Look for food, toy or clothing drives that benefit your local community, or volunteer at a neighborhood food bank during holidays like Thanksgiving. - Hank Ostholthoff, Mabbly
A. Keep Games in the Office
Sherlock Holmes used to stack card houses while he mulled over cases. We keep a ping pong table, pool table, dart board and an awesome drum set around to inspire employees to rethink their current issues and collaborate. Providing these things allows time for breaks, as well as time to work together and talk over ideas. Don't want a game room in the office? Then encourage your team to simply take a walk! - Maren Hogan, Red Branch Media
A. Create an End-Of-Fall Goal
Create a sales or operational goal that begins during a summer retreat or during your third quarter kickoff meeting, then choose to end that challenge after the fall season has ended. Keep communication high, and garner regular updates from your team throughout. Ensure they remain invigorated and you evoke the positivity you established during the initial collaboration. - Blair Thomas, First American Merchant
A. Start Planning Your Holiday Party
As summer turns into fall, then winter, there will inevitably be some letdown among your team. But with the holiday season right around the corner, this presents a great opportunity to start planning your end-of-year party. Create a committee and shoot to make it the best holiday party ever. - Kristopher Jones, LSEO.com
A. Play "Escape the Room"
Recently, our entire company went to an Escape Room. It was a great way to encourage teamwork and resulted in a lot of laughter and some friendly competition to see who could break out of the room first. - Ross Resnick, Roaming Hunger
A. Do Your Part in Staying Positive
It's easy to catch yourself in a funk after the summer fun is over. Keep things upbeat in the office by playing music, coordinating team lunches, or enjoying a happy hour after work on Wednesday to overcome the mid-week slump. - Bryanne Lawless, BLND Public Relations
These answers are provided by the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invite-only organization comprised of the world's most promising young entrepreneurs. In partnership with Citi, YEC recently launched BusinessCollective, a free virtual mentorship program that helps millions of entrepreneurs start and grow businesses.