Getting groups of people together away from the offices remains one of the most popular and effective ways of motivating staff.

Spending time face to face is the only way people can really get to know and understand each other effectively. When people understand, and particularly if they ‘like’ their colleagues, they become more satisfied with their work and working environment. It facilitates better communication – senders have a clearer view on how to phrase their message and receivers are more likely to comprehend what was intended by the sender.

Collaboration is imperative in high performing businesses – another important output. For management teams, face to face gives them more control over their messaging.

Latest trends include:

• Creativity – there’s a big impetus on encouraging creativity and innovation throughout the UK’s workforce; activities that open people up to thinking differently or discovering their inert ability to be creative are popular e.g. writing, directing, producing films or creating pieces of art 

• Learning new skills – helps open the mind to what’s possible, particularly when something can be achieved within a short timeframe e.g. juggling, understanding body language, learning to count in Japanese!

• Incorporating technology can help improve engagement, involvement, make the activity or event feel current, and sometimes reduce costs – examples include business games based on tablets, or treasure hunts driven by mobile phone communications

• Community – altruistic activities help staff feel they’re doing something worthwhile, as well as believing the company is interested in more than the bottom line

• Activities that help solve business challenges – e.g. creating a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style environment, encouraging teams to come up with new business ideas which are reviewed by a senior team and adopted/funded by the business