recreation

 I have been involved in the teambuilding industry since 1994 and as a result I often get asked by industry publications if I’d like to write editorial or them.  When I agree, they want to charge me a fee because they feel that my article will constitute “marketing”. 

The real message behind this practice though, is not that they want to charge me for marketing, but they are willing to place anyone’s contribution if they are willing to pay.  Irrespective of the author’s experience and / or standing in the industry. The teambuilding industry has changed dramatically in recent times, in part due to the recession, but for the most part because people have changed along with companies' expectations of these excursions.

Last week I had a very interesting conversation with a prospective client. We pitched for their business last year (80 delegate conference and “teambuild”). Admittedly I got the pitch wrong and we didn’t get the business, but I figured there would be no harm in trying to get the deal this year. The client’s response last week though was thought-provoking.

Teambuilding has become a world-wide phenomenon and team building sessions have become synonymous with every corporate breakaway, conference and get-together.