Transform team dynamics with escape rooms' unique, collaborative challenges.
In today's fast-paced corporate world, the need for innovative and effective team building activities has never been more crucial.
Enter the exciting world of escape rooms, where collaboration and creativity come alive.
We at Fox in a Box Escape Room in Chicago have welcomed teams from various companies both small and large, including heavy hitters like Google, Amazon, PepsiCo, and PwC.
And based on our experience hosting such activities, we’ve put together this guide on how you can plan a corporate team building activity in an escape room.
Explaining the appeal of escape rooms for corporate teams
Uncover how escape rooms enhance teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Why have escape rooms become a go-to for corporate team building activities?
It's not just about being trendy; these immersive experiences offer a treasure trove of benefits for teams looking to boost their performance in a fun, engaging way.
Let's unlock the mystery behind the appeal of escape rooms for corporate teams.
Improving problem-solving skills: Problem-solving is essential for building effective teams in dynamic business environments. Escape rooms can hone creative thinking and swift decision-making, like improving your brain health!
Unleashing collaborative advantages: Teams need to replace the ‘lone wolf’ approach with effective collaboration to emerge as the teams of tomorrow. Escape rooms require a spectrum of skills, thus nudging players to leverage their collaborative advantage as a team.
Encouraging communication: You know that without sufficient and efficient communication, one can’t survive in the modern workplace. Escape games place a premium on clear and effective communication, thereby helping corporate teams build this critical skill.
Building trust and relationships: An escape room team building marathon allows team members to interact in new ways in a unique setting outside the typical office environment. This leads to stronger relationships and a heightened sense of trust among colleagues.
Identifying leaders and talents: The exciting environment of a mystery room game (as escape rooms are also called) induces participants to step up to the plate and take control of events. It will help bring out hidden talents and improve the efficiency of leadership teams - all of which are invaluable for project assignments.
Breaking down barriers: Over-reliance on top performers can kill team efficacy. An escape room can help avoid that by breaking down hierarchical barriers and organizational silos, thereby reducing the stress on the top performers.
Stress-relief and fun: Being fun to work with is crucial for group productivity, motivation and cohesion. And an escape room outing provides a much-needed break from the regular grind, allowing teams to laugh, relax, and release stress.
Setting your objectives
Setting clear goals to maximize your team's escape room experience.
When planning a corporate team building activity in an escape room, setting clear objectives is crucial.
What do you hope to achieve?
Whether it's fostering better communication, sharpening problem-solving skills, or simply letting off some steam, having a goal in mind ensures your team gets the most out of the experience.
Defining your team’s needs
This is to tailor escape room experiences to your team's unique dynamics.
Assess your team's dynamics. Are there communication gaps? Could the collaborative spirit use a boost?
Is there a stress-induced breakdown, and your team needs a break from the daily hustle?
Understanding your team's current landscape is key to choosing an escape room that aligns with your objectives.
Tailoring the activity to your goals
Not all escape rooms are created equal.
Some, like our Bank heist escape game, are puzzle-heavy, ideal for teams needing a mental workout.
Others, for instance, our Cold War-themed adventure focus more on storytelling and creativity, perfect for teams looking to ignite their imaginative spark.
Selecting the right escape room becomes a breeze when you know what you need.
Choosing the right escape room
Find the perfect escape room to match your team's spirit and goals.
Choosing the right escape room for your corporate team activity is essential to make the event a worthwhile investment.
The question is, how do you make that choice?
See if our cheat sheet helps:
Difficulty: Select mystery rooms that are difficult enough to challenge and engage your team without overwhelming or frustrating them.
Theme: Opt for an escape room theme that aligns with your team's interests and your corporate culture, be it a mystery, adventure, or something more unique.
Group size: Ensure the escape room comfortably accommodates your team, allowing everyone to participate and contribute.
Corporate Goals: Select a room that aligns with your objectives, whether it's leadership development, teamwork enhancement, or creative problem-solving.
Apart from those 4 points, you also need to consider…
What event packages does the escape room offer?
Choosing the right escape room package for an engaging team experience.
Many escape rooms offer tailored packages to make corporate team outings effective and memorable.
Such packages can include everything from escape games (obviously!), food & drinks, an opportunity for feedback, and so on.
For example, we at Fox in a Box offer three team building packages in Chicago:
Just rooms: Keep your activity lean, trying to beat our rooms.
Food, drinks & rooms: Escape room adventures paired with beverages (both soft and hard) and appetizers.
Retreat: A full-blown retreat featuring discussions, exercises, and multiple escape rooms led by a renowned organizational psychologist.
Logistics & planning - tips for organizing a terrific corporate team building activity in an escape room
Essential tips for a flawless escape room team building event.
Feeling excited about the prospect of an escape room adventure for your team?
Great!
But before you dive into this thrilling world of clues and puzzles, let’s look at a few tips on logistics and planning.
Trust me, a little preparation can turn a good experience into a fantastic one!
Getting the booking done
Key steps to booking your team's escape room adventure…
First things first - booking your event.
Remember, popular escape rooms can be like that one colleague who's always booked - hard to pin down!
So, plan ahead.
Check for available slots and book well in advance.
Pro tip: Midweek sessions during business hours might be easier to snag and could come with fewer crowds.
Drawing up an event budget
Strategizing your budget for an effective and fun escape room experience.
Escape rooms are cost-effective compared to many other team-building activities.
However, costs can vary based on factors like the number of participants, the chosen package, and add-ons like catering or additional workshops.
Set a budget early on, and look for packages that fit.
We at Chicago’s top escape room offer a range of options to suit different budgets, ensuring you get the most bang for your buck.
Getting the timing right
Consider the length of the activity, including any pre-game briefings and post-game debriefings.
You’ll want to factor in extra time for team photos and those essential celebratory moments post-escape!
Location, Location, Location
The escape room should be easy to reach and within reach of other amenities.
Choose an escape room that’s conveniently located for everyone in the group.
Consider transportation options, parking availability, and nearby amenities.
For instance, Fox in a Box is conveniently located in the South Loop in Chicago, which makes us accessible via public transport and within walking distance of several other top Chicago attractions ranging from restaurants (Lou Malnati’s, Devil Dawgs) to clubs (Buddy Guy’s Legends, Jazz Showcase) and of course Grant Park.
A few more tips
Keeping everyone up to date: Communicate the event details with your team well in advance.
Point person: Assign a point person (or volunteer yourself) to handle the logistics.
Special requirements: Check if the escape room has special requirements like dress codes or age limits.
Dietary restrictions: Cater to your team's dietary needs if food and drinks are part of the package.
Safety and accessibility
Prioritizing safety and accessibility for a comfortable team-building experience
Safety and accessibility should always be top priorities when planning a corporate team building activity in an escape room.
Your chosen venue should cater to the needs of everyone in your group, including those with mobility challenges, pregnant women, or individuals with sensory sensitivities.
Accessibility at Fox in a Box Chicago
For example, here at Fox in a Box, we have several accessibility measures, including -
Games that mobility-challenged players can fully enjoy.
We provide seats inside the room for anyone who needs to rest.
And while some of our mystery games include flashing lights and smoke effects, we can adapt them for players with sensory sensitivities.
Integrating the experience into your company culture
Leveraging escape room lessons to enrich your corporate culture.
As you may have guessed, the team building doesn’t stop once the escape game is over.
In fact, the best way to realize team-building benefits is to weave the gains and insights from these experiences into your company culture.
Let’s explore how to make the most out of your escape room adventure and turn it into a catalyst for ongoing team development.
Post-game debriefing
Organizing a debriefing session post-event is like panning for gold.
Encourage your team to reflect on their communication patterns, collaborative dynamics, and how they performed under pressure.
These reflections aren’t just conversation starters; they’re actionable insights that can transform everyday workplace interactions.
Remember, the goal here isn’t to point fingers but to shine a light on strengths and areas for growth.
Gauging the impact
Measuring the real impact of escape room activities on team dynamics.
Start by asking things like -
Did your team communicate more effectively?
Were quieter members more involved?
Did it spark creativity and quick thinking?
These qualitative observations are your first clues to success.
Applying lessons learned to the workplace
Encourage your team leaders to identify parallels between the game and workplace scenarios.
For instance, how the quietest member’s idea saved the day or how splitting tasks enabled better use of individual skills and higher productivity.
This follow-up is crucial in boosting team dynamics and resource allocation.
Taking feedback to plan the next event better
Utilizing feedback to perfect your future team building escape room events.
Every HR professional worth their salt knows the importance of participant feedback in assessing the efficacy of an event - and the same applies to your escape room team event!
So, survey your team on their experience.
This could go a long way to demonstrate effective team building and convert skeptics who aren’t sold on escape room activities as being actually useful.
Ask things like - How was the overall experience? Was it challenging enough? Did it enhance critical aspects like teamwork?
Keep it short and sweet but insightful - nobody likes a survey that feels like a marathon!
Ready to plan your corporate team building activity?
Embark on an unforgettable team building journey with escape rooms.
As you've seen, escape rooms present a dynamic and engaging way to bolster team spirit and improve essential workplace skills.
Remember, however challenging the work environment, the best team always wins!
And with a little planning, you can organize an escape room team building exercise that the participants will talk about for months.
At Fox in a Box, we pride ourselves on providing an experience that challenges and excites, perfect for supervisors and managers looking to elevate their teams' performance.
With a proven track record of hosting successful team events, we're confident we can craft the ideal experience for your team.
Don't wait to transform your team dynamics - reach out to us and book your next corporate team activity today!
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