A kickoff is one of your best tools for setting the tone for the company culture you want to define your business. The better relationships your employees have, the easier they understand, communicate, and read each other, which in turn creates space for increased creativity and faster problem-solving. Few things build a team as effectively as a fun and inclusive team-building activity. Here are our best tips for activities that build the team during your kickoff.
We're now seeing more and more reports that reinforce how crucial elements for successful businesses – like creativity, collaboration, and company culture – suffer when we can't meet in person during the coronavirus pandemic. The purpose of a kickoff isn't just to anchor the business or project goals with all employees or team members; it's also an opportunity for everyone to build and deepen relationships. Because when we build relationships, we also build that all-important team spirit and trust in our colleagues. That's the glue that makes us a 'we'. The better the relationships, the easier it becomes to understand and read each other, which in turn creates space for creativity and problem-solving. In short, a kickoff is a tool to set the tone for the company culture you want to define your business.
So far, so good. But picking an activity that everyone in the group will enjoy, can join in, and that fits your kickoff's goal can be tricky. What should you go for? How should you approach it?
Our tip is to take some time to choose the right activity that reflects the purpose and goals of your meeting. If the group doesn't know each other very well yet, the goal is probably to get to know each other. Consider making the activity some kind of collaborative exercise with plenty of time to talk and interact, like cooking together. If the group already knows each other well, maybe a more experience-focused activity, like a high ropes course, would help them bond and build trust within the team?
Remember not to arrange a half-day of rock climbing if there are people in the group with physical limitations or disabilities. Also, don't choose a quiz about Swedish pop songs during dinner if some of your colleagues didn't grow up in Sweden. And a karaoke night can be quite awkward if it's a new group that doesn't know each other well yet…
Here are some activities you can do here on Marholmen to get inspired:
- Marholmen's Masters
Challenge yourself with your colleagues! In Marholmen's Masters, you'll practice teamwork and bond as a team, and it will be a talking point for a long time to come. The activity takes place outdoors on Strömsholmen when the weather permits. In case of cold or rain, we'll have just as much fun in our activity basement.
- Boat Orienteering
Get to know the islet around Marholmen and set sail on a breathtaking adventure! As a team, you'll collect clues at buoys and solve the riddle under time pressure. May the best team win!
- Yoga Walk About with Forest Bathing
Take the whole group out for a wonderful, guided yoga walk with Forest Bathing on the island to recharge your energy levels, spark creativity – and invigorate your spirits.
- Half Past Seven at Marholmen
Our Dinner box is a cooking activity consisting of a three-course dinner prepared by our chefs, which you finish together and enjoy in your cabin or villa. It's suitable for groups of up to 6 people. If you book Villa Berg, you can do the activity for up to 14 people.
- Escape Box
Does your team work well together under pressure? With this activity, you'll strengthen and build your team's cohesion while solving an advanced spy hunt as secret agents. It's super fun!
- Play adventure golf
Adventure golf is an activity that suits everyone – from colleagues who are already pros to those who've never even held a golf club. Everyone gets challenged on our course! The tournament wraps up with a prize ceremony.
- Enjoy a conference lunch cooked over an open fire.
Even the conference lunch can be an experience here! Gathering around an open fire to cook and eat together is in our DNA, and it sets the stage for creative conversations.
- Spa stay
Treat your team to a relaxing time at Mareld Spa after a long day of productive meetings. Here you'll find a hot tub, a dry sauna with views of the bay, and a steam sauna where stars twinkle on the ceiling.
- Challenge each other to boule
It only takes a few minutes to learn how to play boule, but they say it takes years to master all the tactical and technical tricks. Boule is a sport that's getting more and more popular.
- Carpet curling
Challenge your colleagues to carpet curling in the historic Grosshandlargården building. This activity is perfect for those who have a little time but want to do something fun together.
- Go on a kayak tour
Rent kayaks and enjoy a nature experience on the lake. Instructors can join you if you like, and life vests are, of course, included.
- Fishing with a guide and equipment
Book a half-day, full-day, or after-work trip on the lake! You'll be taken on an exciting fishing trip on fully equipped sport fishing boats with a professional fishing guide and all the necessary equipment.
- Ping Pong tournament in the Boathouse
In Marholmen's boathouse, located below the hotel, icy winds whistle through the walls. But with heating from the ceiling, your hat on, and a ping-pong racket in hand, you can play a truly unusual game of ping-pong here.
- Badholmen with its own hot tub
On Badholmen, you'll find two hot tubs, a private sandy beach, and a sauna that you can rent for your whole group for two hours. You can also order snacks and drinks for a magical time on this private headland.
- Music quiz
A music quiz with a troubadour is an activity that builds team spirit, brings lots of laughs, and suits groups of all types and sizes. It's a perfect way to end the day or a great mood-boosting party starter.
- Cold Bath with Sauna
Challenge yourselves to a refreshing cold Bath followed by a sauna, which is great for both body and soul. You rent the entire Badholmen for private use. Enhance the experience with drinks and snacks.
Remember! Choose activities for your kickoff that reflect your purpose and goals. If the goal is to get to know each other, consider some type of team-building exercise, like cooking together. And don't arrange a half-day of rock climbing if there are people in the group with physical limitations or disabilities. Also, don't choose a quiz about Swedish pop songs during dinner if some of your colleagues didn't grow up in Sweden.
