Think
of San Diego and
visions of sailboats, sea gulls and beach volleyball come to mind.
While the city ranks as a top destination for business meetings, fun
team building
experiences in San Diego are often part of the mix, and many
involve corporate employees giving back to the community.
Corporate
social responsibility is more than just a buzzword. “When
companies pay their teams to assist local communities, they send a
clear message that social responsibility extends beyond corporate
locations,” says David Lengyel, managing director of Venture Up,
who provides team
building programs from his new San Diego office at Driscoll’s
Wharf on Harbor Drive.
VIDEO: VENTURE UP Bike Building Charity Team Building Event serves local kids in need:
Lengyel
believes there has been a shift in corporate culture after the Madoff
scandal a decade ago. “During the recession, clients began
requesting more programs combining team building with community
service, even when budgets were tight” he said. “Today, the
economy is much better and more businesses than ever are
incorporating social responsibility into their team building
activities.”
In
1983, Venture Up became the first company devoted to building team
relationships, coining the term, “team building company.” The
firm also works in conjunction with client’s training
organizations, such as PPG’s
Franklin-Covey staff development program recently.
Here
are 5 popular group programs in San Diego, all of which can promote
corporate social responsibility and employee engagement.
1.
Jam Fest – Throughout
the ages, music has been a binding agent of all people. Jam Fest
strikes a chord with everyone, as no prior experience is required. A
popular conference energizer, this 45- to 90-minute event gets teams
moving, shaking and jamming in harmony. Teams use boom sticks, go-go
bells, jug drums and congas to catch a rhythm and jam together
expressing their innate musical talents.
2.
Bionic Hands
-- This 3D design program gives teams a rare opportunity to change
the lives of children forever. Born without hands, or with hands not
fully formed, such children can now have functioning hands when execs
team up to help them. Teams take on the intrinsic work of putting
together bionic hands created by 3D printers. The program requires no
prior experience, but commitment to detail is a must. The 2- to
3-hour program engages teams in service to others, a strong component
to building and maintaining a viable corporate culture. Hands are
often shipped overseas to kids in developing nations.
3.
Boat Regatta
Building
a cardboard boat is the easy part. Keeping it afloat is quite
another. This program is suitable for hotel pools and waterways and
requires an able swimmer at the helm. Teams compete with one another
to create a seaworthy craft using cardboard boxes, floating features,
inflatable toys, pvc pipes and lots of duct tape. As in many group
ventures, too many cooks can sink the ship. Effective leadership and
cooperation mark the successful team. Some vessels may sail smoothly,
while others require a fight to the finish. In many cases, winners
receive cash rewards to donate to local charities.
4.
Bike Building for Kids
Bike
Building for kids in need is a popular charity-based team building
event nationwide. Venture Up clients have donated more than 15,000
bikes to underserved children in local U.S. communities. In many
cases, the kids are high achievers who lack financial resources, or
may come from struggling single-parent families. Lengyel expects
Venture Up to expand its reach to developing countries, where adults
and children use bikes as their main source of transportation.
5.
Amazing Race
The
Amazing Race is so popular in San Diego that Venture Up has developed
more than 10 versions of this festive event. Inspired by the popular
television show,
the physical challenges are geared for the average Joe. Teams move at
their own pace and players choose their own level of involvement, as
they take on physical tasks and brain twisters to solve as many clues
as possible. Each race is fun and challenging for all professional
and skill levels, keeping creative minds engaged and focused on a big
win.
