Team building activities in Madrid and the ten best companies to carry them out

"What is team building?

The term team building is not new. Its origin dates back to the beginning of the 20th century when Dr. William McDougall, a famous British psychologist, wrote several influential textbooks and became an important reference in instinct theory and social psychology.

What is of interest to us is that, in the early 1920s, McDougall published The group mind. In this book, he stressed the importance of team building and described the conditions considered necessary to create a cohesive work group.

Between 1927 and 1932, Professor Elton Mayo studied the relationship between productivity and working conditions at the Western Electric Hawthorne in Chicago. This experiment, known as the Hawthorne Effect, took into account physical and environmental conditions, such as humidity or lighting, and psychological factors such as schedules, the role of the leader in relation to the group or the attitude of the employees.

One of the main findings of the study indicated that the construction of a sense of group identity and cohesion among staff members directly affected the company's productivity. In addition, it was shown that workers valued aspects such as safety, recognition of their work and sense of belonging, becoming more relevant than the physical conditions of the workplace.

William McDougall and Elton Mayo anticipated what years later would become team building, as we understand it today. In the following decades, many organizations began to introduce the first notions of this concept in their companies, which led to the implementation of dynamics, events and sessions, whose basis is the same as the activities that we can recognize in today's companies.

"Team building in Madrid

In the early 2000s, team building in Madrid burst with force in companies. These were years of economic boom and companies were willing to invest in any activity that would allow them to improve productivity, training and talent retention.

During the crisis years, especially between 2008 and 2009, the industry was virtually paralyzed. When the economy started to pick up again, HR departments came to the rescue. Since then, team building activities have been well established in Madrid's business ecosystem, until the emergence of COVID-19. We hope that this type of activity will come back with a vengeance when we get rid of the blissful illness.

Let's get down to business, are you thinking of organizing team building activities in Madrid?

If there is a city in Spain especially prepared for holding events, it is Madrid. The capital can host from multitudinous congresses to smaller meetings in charming spaces. Not in vain, it has a social and cultural agenda full of possibilities that can become our ally when it comes to take advantage of its celebrations in favor of our event.

Team building activities should not be conceived as a form of leisure or a series of games. It is a way for a company's employees to boost their team spirit, strengthen their relationships and reinforce their confidence and group cohesion. The objective: to achieve better performance and improve the work environment.

"Factors to consider when organizing a team building event

These are the questions we should ask ourselves in order to choose the most appropriate activity and the best place to carry it out.

1. Indoor or outdoor: indoor versus outdoor

Team building can be organized indoors or outdoors, although we must take into account the peculiarities and advantages of each option. The choice will depend on the objectives we pursue and factors such as whether an indoor or outdoor activity is preferable or the level of relationship we have with sports and/or nature.

Then we have to ask ourselves when we want to organize the team building activity. Winter in Madrid is cold so, to avoid low temperatures, the tendency is to go indoors (indoor activities).

In spring, summer and autumn, if we can and have time for commuting, the ideal is to look for open spaces. It is always nice to get out of the office and do activities outside. If possible, it will be better to be outdoors than to stay in a hotel room or in the same company.

Number of people and group profile

When looking for suitable facilities, it is necessary to know how many people will attend the activity in Madrid and what are the characteristics of the group.

What kind of team building experience are we looking for and what do we expect to get out of it? The answer will be determined by the activities the group has done in the past. These can be musical, artistic, motoring, purely sporting, etc.

What is the profile of the participants in the activity: are they young people who want something very active or older people who are looking for something less dynamic? Consider the physical condition of the group members or if any person has more limitations to perform the activity. The more we think about these issues, the more likely it is that the day will be a success.

3. Duration

Normally, team building activities are part of a more complex agenda of meetings and presentations. In these cases, it is important to know how much time can be devoted to the activity without altering the work plan.

4. Budget

In Madrid there are specialized sites with activities ranging from simplicity to luxury, with all kinds of additional services: catering, audiovisuals, gifts, animations, masters of ceremonies, souvenir videos, etc.

5. Internal communication

The internal communication strategy is essential before, during and after the event. It is necessary to create expectations among employees, feed their enthusiasm for the activity and never disappoint them.

In the event that the company cannot allocate time and personnel resources to organize the team building, it is advisable to outsource the planning and development of the activity. In this case, it is advisable to turn to an expert agency in training programs, with the necessary experience and know-how to make the day a success. It is necessary to distinguish between leisure companies and solid coaching companies, specialized in training, with accredited personnel.

"Places to celebrate a team building in Madrid

These are some of the best places for team building activities in Madrid:

1. Hotels

AC Hotel Cuzco, Eurostars Madrid Tower, Marriot Madrid Auditorium, The Westin Palace, Only YOU Hotels and Hyatt Centric Gran Vía.

2. Conference centers and other large venues

MEEU, Feria de Madrid IFEMA, Cines Cinesa Cinemas, Teatro Goya Multiespacio Madrid, Wanda Metropolitano, Palacio de Santoña, Wizink Center Madrid, Matadero Madrid, RACC Madrid, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and the Palacio de Congresos.

3. Original spaces

Espacio Bogarti, Espacio Cromátika, Museo del Traje, Colegio de Arquitectos de Madrid (COAM), V de Vegas, Espacio La Grada, Espacio Harley, Matadero Madrid and Espacio Cómo.

4. Stately buildings

Casa de Velázquez, Palacete de los Duques de Pastrana, Fundación Real Fábrica de Tapices, Fundación Carlos de Amberes and Círculo de Bellas Artes.

5. Sports buildings

Canal Golf Course, Carlos Sainz Karting Madrid, Zarzuela Racetrack and Jarama Circuit - RACE.

6. Venues around Madrid

El Molino Amarillo, La Campana, Madrid Snowzone, Soto de Cerrolén, Finca Najaraya, Casino Gran Madrid, La Sede, Euroforum, Centro de Congresos Príncipe Felipe and Mirador de la Moraleja.

"Types of team building activities that can be carried out

• Sporting events: to excel through sport by testing physical abilities.
• Gastronomic events: become real chefs or judges of various tastings in Madrid to enhance teamwork.
• Technology events: building a robot or playing games based on artificial intelligence.
• Musical events: very creative and fun activities that will help to exercise body and mind.
• Cultural events: enjoy a good opportunity for entertainment and education that will show us Madrid from another point of view.
• Urban gymkhanas: overcoming great challenges as a team that will allow us to maintain a healthy company competition and at the same time a greater group cohesion.
• Artistic events: explore creativity and stimulate listening, speaking and concentration while strengthening active team collaboration.
• Motorized events: for adrenaline and adventure fans.
• Business simulation events: do you want to feel like your boss or be your own boss for a day?
• Construction games: to test oneself and develop personal and group self-improvement skills.
• Corporate social responsibility events: activities to learn, experience and inspire us in our work.
• Events for a balanced life: nothing better than relaxation therapies and/or a laughter therapy session to release stress.

"Top ten best team building companies in Madrid

Kleem Events

It is a company located in Madrid specialized in activities for companies, group dynamics, conventions, product presentations, coaching and motivation. One of its attractions is the organization of customized corporate activities.

They manage important aspects such as the organization of personnel, spaces, merchandising production, corporate image, 100% coverage, catering, event creativities, photocall, hostess service, presenters, artists, musical groups, performances, meals, etc.

We highlight the activities of Brain Building, Masterchef or their corporate dances. Companies such as Adecco, Barceló, IKEA, El Corte Inglés or Kia Motors Iberia endorse the quality of its services.

Web: kleemeventos.com

2. Best Day Events

Ten years in the industry helping more than 700 companies endorse the professionalism of Best Day Eventos. The key to its success revolves around the 4C's method: collaboration, trust, communication and coordination. In addition, if the company is not satisfied with the activity, they refund the money.

This company has successfully incorporated technology into team building. Its activities are self-produced, which means speed and agility in communications, adaptation and customization of activities and competitive prices. Among the most outstanding are the technological workshops,live Cluedo, television contests and virtual reality challenges.

Sony, Philips, Pfizer, Lilly and BBVA are among the company's clients.

Web: bestdayeventos.com

3. Yumanyi

It is a very powerful events agency that works nationally and internationally and customizes activities, adapting to the needs of each client. It has estates in San Sebastián de los Reyes, Collado Villalba, El Escorial and Tarancón.

Racing car competitions , research with CSI Minority Report, laughter therapy, batucada workshops, cardboard car building and Hollywood Star are just some examples of the company activities they carry out.

Clients such as McDonald's, BBVA, Mazda, Telefónica and Adecco have already tested its services.

Web: yumanyi.es

4. Team Building Go!

This Madrid-based company has reinvented itself due to the pandemic and, although it continues to offer its activities in person, it has launched a wide range of online team building activities. In it, you will find challenges and escape rooms of different types: from giving a gift or a surprise challenge to your group to learning something new in a corporate workshop. In all of them, you can choose the language.

From its catalog, with more than 150 activities, we highlight team building with drones, dance workshop, Become Millionaire or Lego Block City.

Among its clients are: Indra, Mapfre, IE and AXA.

Web: teambuildinggo.es

Kaizen Team Building

It is a well-established company in our country with more than 15 years of experience. It has psychologists and professional athletes who serve as counselors in most of the activities. Large companies such as Zara, Samsung or Siemens have passed through their hands with excellent results.

As a unique novelty in Europe, they have the construction of a Viking ship of 14 meters long and 6 meters high.

Other activities:

1. Paella contests: contests that have become a classic.
2. Haka Team Building: the dance made fashionable by the New Zealand rugby team.
3. The Butterfly Effect: the objective is to design a device that performs a very simple task through a complex design. In this activity, teams compete to be not only the most creative, but also the most efficient.

Web: kaizenteambuilding.es

6. Amazonia Team Factory

Amazonia specializes in events where nature and the environment are the protagonists. This company has created its own TEAM EVENT© methodology , a unique outdoor method oriented to help teams, in a sporting environment and healthy competition, to build a space of cohesion and union.

The company organizes company activities, such as gymkhanas and games, aimed at solving problems in a fun way. If you want to approach your team building program in a different way with an outdoor activity, Amazonia Team Factory can offer you what you are looking for.

Among its clients are Repsol, Volvo, SEUR, Coca-Cola and L'Oréal.

Web: amazonia-teamfactory.com

7. The X-Door Madrid

We find a space located in the same Gran Via in Madrid. It consists of a 60-minute live escape game that is having very good results as a team building activity in Madrid.

In order to escape from the room, participants must use their creativity, imagination and observation skills to the maximum, but above all they must work together, demonstrating their ability to organize and communicate as a group. They currently have four activity rooms and another special game for companies and large groups called Revenge.

Leroy Merlin, Vodafone and Philips have relied on its services.

Web: thexdoormadrid.com/portada/

8. Bubble Crash

Bubble Crash was born in Madrid with the illusion of promoting an original and fun sport, Bubble Soccer (also known as Bubble Soccer, Bubble Football or Bubble Football). This game is causing a furor in Northern Europe (it was born in Norway) and in the United States where there are professional leagues. Here the question is, do you like to do somersaults, fly and jump without taking the slightest risk?

The company is oriented to team building activities for companies where they focus on coaching. For this purpose, they carry out dynamics oriented to the detection of roles.

Companies such as Ogilvy & Mather, Santillana, Cheil or Decathlon have gone through their experiences.

Web: bubblecrash.es

9. Smarty Events

It is an event agency in Madrid that creates unique and original experiences with the latest advances in learning by doing methods and emerging technologies such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, drones, etc.

They have professionals and experts of recognized prestige in the market. In their catalog we find activities as diverse as 'Build your own robot' or SpeedGate, a sport created from artificial intelligence.

Its clients are very diverse: Airbus, Ikea, Mahou, Oracle, Mars, Inditex, DHL...

Web: smartyeventos.es

10. Exploremore

Under the slogan, "Madrid, the legacy of a country", this company offers an extensive catalog of activities.

The company has created the Commitment Project, a program that generates public-private partnerships around corporate social responsibility events. These actions increase motivation exponentially, intensify emotions, unleash positive feelings and contribute to making the world a better place.

Among its activities we highlight the team building to reforest a natural area or the conditioning of foster homes where activities are carried out such as adapting the rooms, enabling common spaces and creating study areas.

Web: exploramas.com

AUTHOR: MÓNICA COCA

Freelance writer and screenwriter looking for good stories to tell. She can be found in all formats: articles, podcasts, novels and whatever comes up.