How Team Building Can Boost Small Business Employees’ Morale

A small business likely means a close-knit team, with each employee playing a vital role in the success of the business. Keeping spirits high and boosting employee morale is especially important for small business owners to prioritize, as you want your team, who may already wear several hats and take on many responsibilities, to approach their roles positively and remain productive.

While boosting employee morale will look different depending on your team culture and the nature of your small business, this post outlines why team building opportunities are important, and offers some ideas for group activities.

Why Employee Morale Matters for Small Businesses

Employee morale can often refer to how employees feel about their workplace, including their work and their co-workers. When morale is low, it can cost small businesses by contributing to burnout, higher turnover, poor performance, and decreased productivity. With 39% of Canadian employees already feeling burnt out, boosting morale becomes essential for employee well-being and the success of your business.

Unlike large corporations, which often have multiple departments and team members, a small business operates on a much smaller scale. Because of this, if employees’ morale is low or they lose their motivation to complete tasks, it becomes much more apparent and can affect the entire workplace.

Team Building Helps Strengthen Employee Communication & Collaboration

Team-building activities can help employees get to know one another beyond their daily responsibilities, which can help them connect on a more personal, human level. As morale and camaraderie improve, employees can feel more comfortable communicating with one another during the workday, which can enhance collaboration and, in turn, boost morale long-term.

Team Building Can Help Employees Feel Engaged at Work

Team-building activities can strengthen employee morale by creating opportunities for participation and engagement. When employees are encouraged to share their ideas or take part in group activities, they can feel much more connected to their employees and your business.

When employees feel engaged, they can experience 70% higher well-being, businesses experience 23% higher profitability, and there’s 78% less absenteeism, all of which are factors that are important for small businesses that rely on a strong and dependable team.

Team Building Can Help Employees Feel Recognized & Valued

In the rush of completing day-to-day operations, it can be easy for everyone to become focused on daily tasks, leaving little time to slow down and meaningfully connect with employees outside work-related conversations. That is why team-building opportunities can be so valuable, as they create dedicated time for employers and employees to engage with one another in a more personal and supportive way.

When employees feel recognized and appreciated, it can directly impact morale and workplace satisfaction. Team-building activities can help reinforce that employees are valued not just for the work they complete, but also for the role they play within the team. This recognition is important, as 67% of employees report they’d deliver 20-50% more output if they were recognized more often by their employer.

Building a Stronger Workplace Culture

Team-building activities should feel authentic and comfortable for your employees and align with the culture you have already built in your workplace. As a small business owner, likely with a limited budget, team building does not have to break the bank; it just needs to offer employees a way to connect and collaborate.

Team building activities can include:

• team lunches
• group brainstorming workshops
• themed dress up days
• wellness-focused activities (morning yoga, group walks, etc.)
• holiday parties
• in-store games or puzzles
• volunteer days
• group outings to another local small business (pottery painting, escape room, trivia night, local theatre, etc.)

If you are planning a team-building activity and need printed materials, or are looking for a trusted resource to support your small business needs, The UPS Store is here to help! We offer a range of printing services, packaging and shipping, mailbox rentals, and more. Check out our Small Business Solutions for further details.