Outdoor Events

You can also listen to this blog over on our podcast!

When it comes to finding a venue for your next business event it’s easy to default to standard options like restaurants, hotels, and conference halls. However, taking a step outside with your next corporate event might be just the ticket to reinvigorating your business this year. Inconnection has partnered with Aspire Adventures, an outdoors adventure company, to bring the benefits of outdoor expeditions and activities to the corporate world.

Corporate outdoor events have been rising in popularity in recent years, hailed by some of the biggest CEOs in the world as the key to successful meetings. But, outdoor events come in many shapes and sizes, making them perfect to be customised to any business goal, not just meetings. In this blog we will run through the different ways going out into the great outdoors can revitalise your business and the vast variety of options there are when it comes to outdoor activities.

Team Building

Outdoor events can help improve several different skills and attributes that are beneficial to businesses. Probably the most widely known benefit is its team building potential. Teams have been stuck conducting meetings virtually for the past two years and it leads to a disconnect between team members. It’s no surprise HRNews reports 82% of UK office workers demand more team-building events. If you take your sales team outdoors it allows for the opportunity to reignite those bonds that have weakened over the past years.

If they get involved in an outdoors activity event it helps communication and collaboration between colleagues. With Aspire Adventures we can create a bespoke outdoor activity day with the goal of strengthening teams. We offer a range of activities to suit your team best, then take care of everything from event leadership to logistics. So, whether it’s water crossing, navigation, canyon traversing, or abseiling, there is something for all needs. Help your team overcome their fears or achieve their aspirations and bolster team morale.

Charity

CSR is an important part of business operation. It plays a massive role in a company’s image to both clients and employees. A great option to implement CSR is to raising money for a chosen charity. However, it doesn’t always have to be a bake sale. Hosting a sponsored walk over the Yorkshire three peaks or one of Britain’s many other national parks is a great way to raise money for charity and get your employees outdoors achieving something great.

The potential for these events is massive. Even if your company is spread across the UK, or even international, we can accommodate these with multi-location events to get as many of your employees involved as possible. Doing sponsored activities can have a much higher return on investment compared to other fundraising activities. Aspire Adventures have already helped a company overachieved on their 2.5:1 ROI on a charity campaign. You can read the entire case study here. 

Encourage Leadership

Mckinsey found that 75% of respondent employees in a survey reported that their immediate superior is the most stressful part of their job. That is why it is crucial for Senior management to understand their leadership team.

Leadership shines in adversity, and that is exactly what taking your team leaders up into the mountain is perfect for showcasing their talents. Test their mettle by putting them through a series of challenges designed to draw out their communication, support, and leadership skills. Watch as they work through different activities or lead their team up different hiking trails to discover their unique strengths and weaknesses. For the best of the best have them conquer Kilimanjaro and know they’ll return to the office with renewed confidence and vigour.

Improve Employee Wellbeing

Employee wellbeing is company wellbeing. If employees begin to struggle at work, it will have a ripple effect that will be felt by the entire company. Being stuck in the office can lead to stagnation and nothing contrasts the white walls of the workplace like nature. The University of Rochester reports 90 percent of people report increased energy when placed in outdoor activities. Our outdoor activities can be crafted towards inspiring individuals and improving mental health, with a greater focus on team camaraderie. This let your employees’ bond in an environment completely detached from the corporate setting filled with challenges, quizzes, great food, and finished off with campfire hospitality.

Aspire Adventures have already proven their adventures have a proven impact on staff morale that leads to improved sales performance. You can read the entire case study here.

Foster Friendly Competition

Nothing motivates people like a bit of friendly competition. Invigorating your sales team with some competition outside their job role can help boost performance in the office as well. A great way to do this is to get your sales teams involved in some outdoor competition that will really get their blood pumping. ResumeLab reports around 60% of those with positive rivalries in the office also indicated being satisfied with their job. Our adventures are flexible to your needs, allowing you to create the perfect outdoor challenge to bring out your employee’s competitive side. Try a multi-activity day centred around a bespoke tented village, where your team can test themselves against a variety of challenges.

If your company is widespread, try a multi-location challenge which will pit different offices against each other across the country. There is also the option to add further competitive elements by putting incentives on offer, such as an arctic circle adventure like husky sledding or snow shoeing, for those who shine most during the multi-activity day. Another option is turn it into a charity event, and reward those who perform best at raising money – this also will give you a great insight into the sales skills of your team.

Try an Outdoor Conference

There is a reason the execs of LinkedIn, Facebook, and Google, swear by walking meetings. They improve engagement compared to standard meetings with Harvard Business Review finding participants in walking meetings are 8.5% more likely to report high levels of engagement. Walking also has benefits on creativity and lateral thinking, so much so there is an entire study on it. With Aspire Adventures we want to take it to the next level by giving you the option to take your next conference outdoors, with a blend of meeting opportunities, outdoor activities, and hospitality to make it the business event of the year.

As you can see outdoor activities can revitalise your business in ways that are hard to emulate in the office or even at indoor venues. Happy, motivated employees lead to better employee wellness and as such better employee retention. Invigorated sales teams lead to improved sales performance and commitment. As you can see outdoor activities have great value for all areas of your business.

So, whether it’s raising money for a good cause, motivating your employees, or energising your next conference there is options for any business goal. If you see adventure in the future of your business, contact us now and we will help you every step of the way.