"Great things in business are never done by one person; they’re done by a team of people.” (Steve Jobs)

As a small business owner, every rand you spend needs to return value, and your team building events are no exception. When structured properly, team building days can align your staff around shared goals, strengthen communication, and clarify behavioural expectations. They will improve output, reduce internal conflict, and build a culture that supports growth. But just how do you make that happen?

Start with clear business objectives

Before choosing a venue or activity, be clear on what you want to change or improve. Are teams struggling to communicate across departments? Is accountability an issue? Are managers and staff misaligned on priorities? Defining these objectives upfront ensures the day is purposeful rather than generic.

Clear objectives also help you explain to your team why the event matters. When people understand the business reason behind the activity, engagement increases and resistance decreases.

Design activities that reflect real work challenges

The most effective team building events mirror the reality of your workplace. Activities should encourage collaboration, problem-solving, and decision-making in ways that resemble everyday business situations. When lessons feel relevant, they are much more likely to stick.

Avoid activities that are purely physical or novelty-driven if they don’t translate back to the office. Fun has value, especially when it supports insight and learning.

Include time for reflection and discussion

One of the most overlooked elements of team building is reflection. Doing the activity isn’t enough. Teams need time to discuss what happened, what worked, what didn’t, and how it relates to their daily roles. These conversations can lead to real insights. They also help teams to agree on practical changes they can make once they return to work.

It’s vital that all members of the team feel safe to speak up, ask questions and make mistakes without fear of retribution or punishment. By making sure all voices are heard on something small like losing at tug-of-war, you can reinforce that attitude in the day-to-day office space and equip your teams to perform at their best.

Reinforce leadership behaviour

Team building will only succeed if leaders model the behaviours being promoted. If collaboration, accountability, and open communication are encouraged on the day but ignored afterwards, the impact quickly fades. As a business owner or manager, you should participate fully, demonstrate vulnerability where appropriate, and reinforce lessons in the weeks that follow.

Convert insights into habits

Effective team building does not end when everyone goes home. Follow-up meetings, check-ins, and ongoing conversations are essential to embed new behaviours. Refer back to shared experiences and agreed principles when challenges arise.

Budget carefully and measure the return

As with any business initiative, cost matters. Team building exercises should be planned within a clear budget, and with a realistic view of expected outcomes. Your accountant can help you structure this spend appropriately, ensure tax considerations are handled correctly, and assess whether the investment delivers measurable returns.

Reduced absenteeism, improved productivity, and stronger retention are all indicators worth tracking. If you’re unsure how to measure impact, speak to your accountant: we can help you to access the data you need.

The bottom line

Team building that works is intentional, relevant, and accountable. It focuses on behaviour, not just morale, and it connects people more closely to the goals of your business. When done properly, it strengthens both culture and performance.

For small business owners, the key is to treat team building with the same seriousness as any other investment. Plan carefully, follow up consistently, and involve your accountant where appropriate to ensure that what you spend delivers lasting value, not just a good day out.