IN every workplace there are talks about building and working as a team, but only few people truly understand how to create the experience of teamwork or how to develop an effective team.

Rayanne Ingram, recruiting analyst at Choice Business Solutions, said organisations should seek to identify and implement ways in which the workers feel valued and most importantly, feel as if they are not divided. To do this, team building has to be the focus.

Tips for team building include:

Investing in employees

According to Ingram, an employee recognition programme is a good start.

“Developing an employee of the month, quarter and year programme is a good way to promote teamwork within any organisation,” Ingram said.

She added that if employers devise awards for employees who top these categories, then they’d be surprised at how many people step up their game.

Implement team-building activities

“Having a sports day or in-house activities that require teams will promote togetherness in the workplace,” Ingram said.

Include employees in the decision-making process

Ingram said before decisions are made, the employees’ opinions should be heard. “Ask them if they are in agreement or ask them to make suggestions,” she said.

Have yearly action plans

“Have each department set goals and work towards achieving them. In the end, whichever department meets all its goals can be rewarded,” Ingram said.

Know your team members’ needs

“If supervisors can be open enough that workers can tell them the issues they have with the workplace, chances are they will be motivated and work together, knowing that their concerns are being heard,” Ingram said.

Develop common ground

Ingram suggests that common ground can be developed if departments take on tasks that would require them to be in a classroom setting.

“Learn a new language. For example, if the department does sign language, each one would be on the same level. This way you will find that people become motivated, and communication increases because everyone is sharing and trying to achieve one common goal — to learn the signs and pass the class,” she said. Ingram added that activities like these help to build people and in the end they can say they were all-round players.