By Franzi
"Big developments in companies never come from one person. They are the product of a team." This insight comes from one of the most famous entrepreneurs in the world: Steve Jobs. And how a team works depends on many factors. One of the most important is certainly the sense of belonging. However, this is often difficult to implement, especially in young companies such as start-ups and in companies where most people work from home. And of course the corona pandemic and the associated restrictions haven't made the whole thing any easier. We at Theyo, the relatively young start-up from Berlin, can tell you a thing or two about it. Nevertheless, we managed to create a respectful and pleasant atmosphere, also through the targeted use of team-building measures. Of course, numerous chocolate care packages didn't hurt either ;) In this blog post we share our five favorite ways to strengthen solidarity at a team event in Berlin!
Reasons for a fun team event in Berlin
But why put energy and resources into a team event at all? There are various reasons for this, which can be crucial, especially for Berlin companies and start-ups:Start-ups and smaller companies often recruit their employees from further afield. Especially in Berlin, however, it is often difficult for new employees to develop a sense of belonging in the anonymous big city. If you have a good relationship with your colleagues, that's a great basis. Of course, you don't have to become close friends with your colleagues, but if the social climate at work is right, the start in the new city is made much easier. And a team event in Berlin not only has a high social benefit for new employees. An event like this offers a chance to break out of the standard office small talk and get to know the other members of the team from a completely new side. Basically, team spirit increases and the group works better together.
A shared fun experience can also take intrinsic motivation to a new level! The company connection is strengthened and, especially in Berlin, where the job opportunities seem endless, smaller companies and start-ups can make themselves particularly attractive with excursions and strengthen employee loyalty.
In addition, such an excursion gives superiors the opportunity to appear approachable. Possible fears towards superiors can be reduced. This often makes it easier for employees to turn to the responsible boss if they have any problems.
All in all, the company ultimately benefits, because the happier the employees, the better their performance.
5 ideas for team-building measures in and around Berlin
There is now no question that a team event in Berlin is a fantastic idea. But which excursions are really well received and strengthen the group feeling? Because meeting the tastes of everyone or at least most people is not that easy. Here are our five favorites - digital and in "real life" - for team events in Berlin with a guaranteed success factor!The classic: The escape room as a team event
Escape rooms are certainly no longer an insider tip, but they are simply unbeatable for group cohesion. As a team, the participants have to try to solve the puzzle and find the way out of the room. Instead of playing against each other, we play with each other. Communication and teamwork are essential. We think: Even though the escape room has now seen its initial hype, it has definitely proven itself as a team-building measure with a high fun factor.Interesting for companies and start-ups with a high proportion of home offices and regionally dispersed teams: Escape rooms can also be played online.
Not interested in another escape room event in Berlin? Canoeing on the Spree as an alternative team event in Berlin!
If you don't want to see the inside of another escape room and are already tired of this activity, canoeing on the Spree is a great alternative! This option is limited to “real life” and the warm months, but is nonetheless an experience that employees will certainly not forget in a hurry. Canoe tours on the Spree make it possible to get to know the capital from a completely different perspective, just like your colleagues. Canoeing is also suitable for inexperienced water lovers and does not require any previous rowing knowledge. Afterwards, your hunger after this little sporting activity can be satisfied together with a meal together in the beer garden or at a barbecue in a suitable place.Christmas team event: These locations in Berlin have potential for success
Unfortunately, it is a fact that canoeing is not an option in autumn and winter. So which event is best for the cold season? Sometimes it doesn't have to be a particularly crazy idea, often it's the classics that - when well organized - are remembered for a long time. For example, a Christmas party. Essential: the location, the food/catering and the employee gifts.
The Vogelchen on Eisenbahnstrasse, for example, is a good location for an exuberant and cheerful party. There is space for up to 70 people to celebrate in its basement. You can also dance until the early hours in Mein Haus am See at Rosenthaler Platz. There is also a “party cellar” here that can be rented for events, with a little more space than in the Vogelchen. If you like something a little more classic, with fine food in the restaurant, we can accommodate you! in Kreuzberg. In this slow food restaurant, enjoyment comes first. The menu, which also offers vegetarian options, is accompanied by delicious natural wines.
Christmas parties are good for team spirit (Photo by Rodion Kutsaiev on Unsplash )
Another great option for Christmas parties is the Oberhafenkantine . It even offers a special offer for Christmas parties: a small, private Christmas market! There are different foods and drinks in small huts. And should Corona make our party season difficult again this winter, possible distancing rules can be easily adhered to in the Oberhafenkantine thanks to the ample space in the huge outdoor area.
An important success factor for a successful celebration is definitely the gifts. Our tip to avoid long faces when giving Secret Santa: take the gift-giving into your own hands! We can say from experience: Our chocolate boxes are always very well received :). And employee gifts are not just at Christmas, but also on special occasions or just like that - maybe even a three-month chocolate subscription ? ;) – a good idea to strengthen motivation. The great thing is that gifts from employers to their employees can easily remain tax-free. We explain how in this blog post: Gifts to employees: This is how your employee gifts remain tax-free in 2022.
The absolute ice-breaker as a team event: karaoke
Are you looking for a team event that will lighten the mood in the office? Then head to a karaoke bar, because visiting there together is definitely an absolute ice-breaker! A great recommendation is Monster Ronson's Ichiban Karaoke on Warschauer Straße. Smaller teams can have a great evening in the gay-friendly karaoke bar with its numerous private karaoke boxes. And once the superiors have belted out “I Will Always Love You” in a duet, the group atmosphere is definitely assured for the next few months!What could be even better than a company outing in Berlin? And has to do with chocolate?
If you don't like the above options, please don't bury your head in the sand. Because ourchocolate tasting also offers a brilliant opportunity to strengthen team spirit and create memories together! Together with one of our chocolate professionals you can go on a journey of discovery into the world of fine chocolate, try out various delicious chocolates and learn exciting facts and background information about the production of our favorite treat.
The time frame is 60-90 minutes, depending on which tasting you choose. We are very flexible in the specific planning, i.e. when it comes to the process, so we can also respond to your special wishes or simply add one of the above variants.
The great thing about it is that the tasting can take place completely online, in real life, or as a mix. Because we come from Berlin ourselves, we can also come to your Berlin office or complement one of the team event ideas mentioned above. In the past two years we have also held numerous online tastings with Corona. You will receive the chocolate conveniently delivered to your home, via Zoom, Google Meet or whatever platform you prefer, and we will then simply get in touch. Have we piqued your interest? You can find the most important informationhere , but if you have any questions, you can of course also contact us directly!
An online chocolate tasting as a team event
Finally: You can claim these tax advantages at a team event
If the previous paragraphs haven't convinced you to organize a team event in Berlin, we have another interesting piece of information:You can claim a company outing for tax purposes. An allowance of up to 110 euros can be set per employee. Such a team day can be scheduled a total of two times per year, so the budget per person per year is even 220 euros! It is important that this 110 euros per event per employee must not be exceeded, otherwise the additional amount will be classified as a monetary benefit and will have to be taxed by the employer or employee at a flat rate of 25 percent. Possible expenses for a team event in Berlin can include travel, the cost of meals, fees for artistic performances (DJs, musicians, ...) or accommodation costs.
We hope that with this article we were able to convince you of the benefits that a team event has for your group and the company!
