What will you choose for your team: team building or incentive? What is the difference between the two activities? Do both share the same objectives, do they use the same methods, do they yield the same results? We certainly know a thing or two about both types of events: over the course of the last 20 years we have perfected our craft as an event planner in Spain by organising all kinds of productions for team building in Spain and incentives in Spain. We count hundreds and hundreds of original and creative productions across the whole country for our clients as well as our national and international partners. In this new post on team building vs incentive, we explore the differences and similarities between team building and incentive events to help you decide which event is right for you.
Team building vs incentive: definitions and differences
Team building and incentive activities both share a same fundamental characteristic: motivating employees and teams alike. Let’s start by defining both activities:
Team building is the act of partaking in a collective activity with the aim of optimising teamwork and individual skills, strengthening team cohesion, identifying and improving weaknesses, etc. Some popular activities for team building include group challenges, team sports tournaments, “icebreaker games”, role-playing, puzzle solving, etc.
Incentives are a group of methods used to motivate employees. An incentive can be individual or collective and is traditionally in the shape of a prize travel or outing, a salary bonus, a cultural event, etc.
Motivation is the common factor in both activities. The primary difference between the two is that team building is often the first step in an effort to optimise your team’s productivity, whereas an incentive is usually given as a reward after a team or individual has been particularly productive at work.
Examples of team building vs incentive events
Let’s compare both activities with a few examples of events that we plan in Spain. Let’s start with a clear example of team building: a team building survival challenge. In this activity, participants are divided into small groups and must overcome a series of timed challenges. Teams win points every time they complete a challenge in time. The objective of this team building activity is to improve some of the fundamental elements of working as a team: assigning tasks, active listening, good communication skills, concentration, coordination, etc. The event is meant to equip teams with the right skills to generate more positive results in the workplace.
Now let’s consider another one of our productions for incentive events: a tapas route. We have previously written about this gastro incentive in our article dedicated to incentive travel to Barcelona. In this event, participants discover some of the best establishments of the city and taste some of the best Spanish specialities. Accompanied by our guides and grand connoisseurs of Spanish cuisine, participants are free to make their way to the next stops marked on their itineraries or stay wherever they like. The aim of the activity is simply to delight the participants. It is often solicited by DMC in Spain and by companies to reward their employees.
Examples of activities that blend team building and incentive
Naturally, the principles of incentive events – to reward and to motivate – are perfectly compatible with the principles of team building – team cohesion, productivity, motivation, etc. – and more than once have we combined both activities in one same itinerary, and even in one same activity. Take, for example, our gymkhanas in Madrid, Barcelona, and in Seville. These cultural routes blend guided tours of the city, guided visits of monuments and historical locations, impromptu street performances, cultural workshops, quizzes and treasure hunts. A blend of surprises, emotions, discovery and teamwork that brings together team building and incentive.
Another category of events that blends team building and incentive are CSR activities (Corporate Social Responsibility). CSR events are in more and more demand and provide an unique and unforgettable experience for all who participate. Employees return to their work routine filled with a positive and enriching experience during which they collaborated with their colleagues for a worthwhile cause.
Team building or incentive?
So, team building or incentive? Which one would you choose for your team? Discover some of the events that we organise in Spain for team building in Barcelona, team building in Madrid, team building in Valencia, or team building in Malaga. All our productions are 100% customisable. Contact us to find out more information on the events that we organise and the services that we offer.
