Smart Corporate Team Activity Planning for Busy PAs
You’ve been asked to organise a corporate team activity, yes, you, the PA who’s already juggling calendars, budgets and last minute changes. Don’t panic. This blog will walk you through how to nail your brief, pick the right team building company and deliver team building activities London style that actually work (yes, London counts because you’re organising in or near the UK’s capital).
Why a Corporate Team Activity Isn’t Just a Day Out
You might think a corporate team activity is simply “let’s go off site for a bit of fun and hope people talk to each other”. But the reality is that done right, a corporate team activity supports your wider business goals: better collaboration, improved morale, smoother cross team communication and fewer sighs around the coffee machine.
Here’s a stat worth keeping in your back pocket: teams with high engagement deliver 18% higher productivity. (Yes, I know it’s from a general context but you get the drift.
When you pick a credible team building company the difference is huge. We’re talking more trust, fewer people checking their phones, and a genuine buzz afterwards.
When you organise team building activities London, you also leverage the fact teams may already know the city, which can make logistics easier. Less travel stress means a happier team.
The Common Brief Mistakes First Timers Make
H3: “Let’s just pick something fun and see what happens.”
Avoidable mistake. Without a clear objective you’ll end up with a day of mild amusement and no lasting impact. Ask yourself: What must change after the activity? Better inter departmental communication? More creative thinking? Or just improved morale because it’s been a heavy quarter?
“We’ll just do something outdoors because it’s summer.”
Weather is unpredictable. If you’re in London you must plan for Plan B. A great team building company will offer indoor and outdoor versions of things, for example, an outdoor treasure hunt or an indoor version with the same objective.
“Budget? We’ll sort one later.”
Budget time equals production time. Set your budget, confirm numbers, decide on the venue first. Many PAs forget to pad in contingency for travel, food allergies, or an extra guest.
“We’ll leave the venue choice to them.”
You’re the organiser, so you choose a venue that works for your team size, dietary needs and transport links. If you’re doing team building activities London wide then pick something with good Tube or rail access.
Your Step by Step Planning Checklist for Corporate Team Activity
Here’s your quick reference table to stay on track:
| Step | What to decide | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Objective | e.g. “Improve collaboration between Sales and Ops” | Gives focus to the activity, not just fun |
| 2. Team size & diversity | How many, which departments, any remote or hybrid ones? | Ensures the activity is inclusive and the supplier can cope |
| 3. Indoor vs Outdoor | Based on season, weather, transport | London weather is unpredictable, keep options open |
| 4. Choose a team building company | Short list 2 to 3 reputable ones with reviews | You need a supplier who knows how to run things smoothly |
| 5. Select activity type | E.g. indoor game show, outdoor GPS challenge, charity build | Matches objective and budget |
| 6. Logistics & budget | Venue, travel, food, timings, back up plans | No surprises on the day |
| 7. Communication to team | Save the date, what to bring, what to expect | Manages expectations and boosts attendance |
| 8. Run the activity | Facilitate, participate, ensure good vibe | This is the day, aim to make it memorable |
| 9. Follow up & feedback | Survey, debrief, capture learnings | Ensures you leverage the momentum and show value |
Picking the Right Team Building Company
When you search for a team building company you want more than just a catalogue of games. Here’s what to look for:
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Proven track record with clients you recognise (FTSE 500 companies love reliability).
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Clear ability to deliver team building activities London, indoors or out, at short notice.
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Transparent pricing and inclusions (what’s in the cost, what’s extra).
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Facilitators who are charismatic, keep momentum and solve issues on the day.
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Flexibility for team size changes, dietary or allergy handling and transport delays.
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Evidence of impact such as testimonials and reviews (our own over 600 five star reviews is one example).
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Options for both fun and purpose, sometimes you want pure fun for morale, other times something more skill or purpose led like CSR or charity.
Types of Corporate Team Activity That Work in London
Here are three handy categories with examples you can propose confidently to your stakeholders. Purpose Led or Skill Led
These are more than “just fun”. They tie back to business goals like leadership, collaboration, innovation and change.
Examples:
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Indoor: Escape the Box, teams solve puzzles under time pressure, great for collaboration and creativity.
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Indoor: The Apprentice style challenge, teams go head to head, replicating problem solving under pressure.
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Outdoor: GPS Adventurer, mixed teams navigate London solving clues, good for cross department mixing.
Fun and Morale Boosting
When the objective is “we’ve worked hard, let’s unwind together and feel good”.
Examples:
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Evening: The Zing Show, lively entertainment ideal as a reward dinner event.
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Evening: Musical Bingo, quirky, engaging and memorable.
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Outdoor: Soap Box Derby, teams build cars and race, pure fun but still teamwork.
CSR or Charity Focused
When you want the event to have purpose beyond fun, something feel good, meaningful and charity team building.
Examples:
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Putt a Hole in Hunger, indoor or outdoor mini golf raising funds or awareness.
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Charity Build A Bike, teams build bikes which get donated, collaboration plus purpose.
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Food Chain, food based event linking to charity partners like the Trussell Trust.
Quick Win Tips When Time’s Tight
Because let’s face it, you’re juggling other deadlines.
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Choose a Monday to Friday afternoon slot (no venue competition).
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Pick a supplier that offers full package including venue, facilitation and food.
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Go for activities that handle team size flexibly if someone drops out last minute.
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For London, select a venue with good public transport access so no one’s late.
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Communicate early with details like what to bring and dress code (maybe active or outdoor).
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On the day, build in a debrief such as a quick toast, thank you and highlight what happened.
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After, send a one line summary to senior stakeholders to reinforce the value.
How to Measure Success After the Activity
You don’t just need to tick the box, you’ll want to show value, especially if budget was questioned.
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Pre and post survey: ask “How confident are you collaborating with other teams?”
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Anecdotes: highlight one or two great moments, like teams overcoming challenges.
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Stakeholder feedback: get one senior person to comment on the day.
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Behavioural indicators: did new teams talk afterwards, did ideas flow differently?
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Follow up activity: a simple 10 minute revisit at the next meeting asking “What from that day stuck with you?”
Where You’re Likely to Trip Up (And How to Avoid It)
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Logistics flop: poor transport, delays or wrong kit. Fix by picking an accessible venue and allowing buffer time.
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Activity doesn’t match the team: for example, a very introverted team forced into a high adrenaline outdoor event. Match the energy to the people.
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No debrief: activity done but no closure, meaning nothing sticks. Always build in debrief and follow up.
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Forgetting remote or hybrid colleagues: make sure the activity includes or has a variant for everyone.
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Lack of communication to participants: surprises are fun but too little info causes stress. Send expectations early.
Bringing It All Together – Your Corporate Team Activity Plan
Let’s pull everything into a template plan you can copy:
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Objective: Improve collaboration between Sales and Operations in Q4.
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Team size: 40 people (20 Sales, 20 Ops) plus 5 remote or hybrid participants.
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Date & time: Friday afternoon 1pm to 5pm followed by drinks.
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Venue: London central with Tube access and space for breakout.
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Supplier: A team building company experienced in London events.
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Activity chosen: Indoor version of GPS Adventurer with a finale at the venue (to manage weather risk).
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Logistics: Travel instructions, dietary requirements and dress code (smart casual with comfy shoes).
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Communication: Save the date now, full brief in two weeks.
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Day of structure: 1pm arrivals and coffee, briefing, activity, debrief and drinks, closing remarks.
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Measurement & follow up: Quick survey next week, send thanks email, update stakeholders, plan next check in at the next all hands.
Why It’s Worth Getting This Right
When your corporate team activity is aligned with business goals and executed well, you’ll see more than just a fun afternoon. You’ll:
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Boost morale and show that people are valued.
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Build cross team relationships that ripple into better collaboration.
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Create memorable shared experiences that shift culture from “just another day” to “we’re a team”.
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Give your stakeholders evidence that you’ve invested time and budget wisely.
Among those who perceive their culture as average, 43% have actively sought new job prospects in the past six months. If your culture feels average, this is your chance to give it a lift.
REVIEWS SECTION
Want to see how it looks in practice? We’re trusted by FTSE 500 companies and loved by teams across the UK. Check out our 600+ five star reviews on Reviews.io and Google Reviews.
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FAQ
Q1: What’s the difference between a corporate team activity and a social event?
A1: A corporate team activity has a clear business objective such as boosting collaboration, trust or innovation. A social event may be fun but lacks that focused purpose and often no structured follow up.
Q2: How far in advance should I book a team building activity in London?
A2: Ideally six to eight weeks for most organisations. That gives time for venue, supplier, invites and logistics. If you’re short on time, many team building companies offer ready to go packages for shorter notice.
Q3: Do we need a full day event or is a half day enough?
A3: It depends on your objective. For morale boosting or introduction events, a half day is perfectly viable. For deeper outcomes like leadership development, you might opt for a longer session. The key is matching time to goal.
Q4: How do I include remote or hybrid team members in a London based activity?
A4: Choose a hybrid friendly activity or split into two streams. Local teams meet in London for the main activity while remote colleagues join virtually. Make sure the supplier has experience with hybrid formats.
Q5: What should I budget for a corporate team activity?
A5: Budgets vary widely depending on team size, venue, activity type and catering. As a ballpark in London, expect £70 to £150 per person for half day indoor events. Always check what’s included and ask about extras.
Q6: How can I ensure the activity leads to long term benefit, not just a one off day?
A6: Follow up is key. Send a survey within a week, debrief at the next meeting, capture one or two action points and tie the experience back to everyday behaviours.
Q7: What if the weather in London ruins our outdoor plan?
A7: Always build in a Plan B. Use a venue that offers indoor backup or choose a supplier that transitions smoothly to indoor activities. That way you’re protected from sudden downpours and still deliver.
