Business

20 Team-Building Outing Ideas for Workgroups

Teams are essential to any workplace. While team building activities aren’t a novel concept, it’s important to distinguish between those conducted in the office and out. Although both can help foster a positive work environment, stepping out of the office can help promote team building in a new and exciting way.

Why Are Team Outings Important?

You might wonder why you need a team outing when you can host an in-office social. The benefit of an outing is that it allows teams to connect in a way they wouldn’t normally. Outings open up a new set of possibilities for team-building activities.

A team outing puts people in a different setting allowing the formal barriers to come down. This can boost communication and relationship-building between team members.

With the formal environment taken away, individuals are more open to making genuine connections with those around them. Having friendships at work can also help to boost employee satisfaction.

As we all know, stress is a common feeling in many workplaces. Many individuals may come to associate their workplace with stress. A team outing provides an opportunity to de-stress in a new setting while doing something fun with the team.

On the topic of fun, these activities can boost creativity and problem-solving which are key to any workplace.

Now that we have covered the importance of team outings, let’s look into 20 different team outing ideas.

1) Charity Run

Your team could participate in a charity run together. Not only will this get people active and help reduce stress, but it will promote teamwork while contributing to a good cause. This can also encourage employees to try something new if they aren’t frequent runners.

2) Cooking Class

There are many cooking classes your team can attend depending on what you want to learn. Take a survey in advance to see what everyone’s interests are and if someone has an allergy. Cooking classes are a great outlet for collaboration.

3) Beach Day

There are many things you can do on a beach day including watersports, beach volleyball, having a BBQ and so much more. This environment will allow everyone to de-stress while building relationships in a less formal setting. Taking part in competitions such as volleyball can improve communication and team bonding.

4) Have a Campfire

Many people have grown up around campfires in the summer, making it a fun memory for all. Taking your team out for a camping trip or simply having a late-night campfire will bond the team over shared campfire stories.

5) Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts are always enjoyable and provide a friendly source of competition. You can hire a professional company to organize the scavenger hunt or have your team members design it themselves. Creating the scavenger hunt encourages teamwork and develops key professional skills such as organization and creativity.

Participating in the scavenger hunt will encourage communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. There are many different types of scavenger hunts you could organize.

6) Hiking

Hiking is always a fun activity. Whether you're close to a hiking trail or simply have access to a local park, take your team outdoors. An outdoor environment can be relaxing while boosting communication as you navigate a new space.

7) Fitness Class/Yoga

A fitness class will allow your team to get out of the office for a refreshing break that boosts their physical health. Exercise also releases endorphins that will have people feeling positive. Exercise can also alleviate stress and improve people’s moods.

8) Volunteering Event

There are many charities or volunteering events that your team can participate in. Decide together as a team what cause you want to contribute to. This could be a run, clean-up day, etc. Doing something to give back to the community will bring the team together while sharing meaningful conversations about causes everyone is passionate about.

9) Movie Night

Hosting an outdoor movie night is a fantastic way to bring a team together. It’s a perfect way to unwind after work and get to know other people’s movie preferences. A funny movie can spark some laughs while a thought-provoking film can lead to engaging conversations. This activity can also be done virtually. Pair it with an outdoor barbeque and you have a wonderful team-building event!

10) Rock Climbing

Rock climbing is an activity that will encourage people to get active. This activity will require trust, open-mindedness for those who are new to it, and encouragement from the team.

11) Escape Room

Escape rooms are an activity where the goal is to escape the room within a time frame with your team using the given clues. This will encourage teamwork while enhancing critical thinking, problem-solving skills and the ability to work under pressure.

12) Karaoke Night

If you like music, karaoke will be a good option for your team. A karaoke night will allow people to get loose and enjoy a fun time with others. This environment will bring down barriers thus encouraging individuals to make genuine connections. It will also bring out laughs and allow you to learn about the hidden talents of some team members.

13) Golfing or Mini Golf

Taking your team to a golf course or a mini-golf outing is an excellent way to foster friendly competition and potentially learn a new skill. Whether you are a seasoned player or a beginner, this is a great way to bond with your team. It can help push some people out of their comfort zones and encourage leadership from others who can teach those new to it.

14) Laser Tag

Laser tag is a fun game many have played when they were young. It will evoke a sense of nostalgia among many. As you usually play in teams, it will encourage collaboration. Laser tag also requires support while being able to move quickly and efficiently.

15) Trivia Night

Trivia uses the knowledge of each team member to win. Many establishments host trivia nights that you can go to. Trivia will get your team to collaborate, think critically, problem-solve and learn more about each other.

16) Board game Tournament

There are many board game cafes that you can use for your outing. Make sure to call ahead of time if you have a big group. You can ask your team in advance to determine everyone’s favourite board games. A board game tournament will foster competition, strategic thinking, and laughs.

17) Comedy Night

A comedy show will bring a night of laughs and improve the mood of the team. It’s a fun event to attend whether for work or personal reasons. You can also have conversations with others during the show or even after to discuss your favourite parts.

18) Art Class

Taking part in art classes such as painting, pottery, or photography will foster creativity. It will also teach many a new skill and is a great way to bond with your team.

19) Sporting Event

Sports games are always happening so if one is near you, buy tickets for your team and go together. It’s a great way to bond with your team over a shared love for a sport.

20) Book Club

Book club is an activity where everyone reads the same book and comes together to discuss it. Reading has many benefits such as relieving stress, enhancing knowledge, fostering creativity and much more. On top of this, a book club will promote communication and bond your team over shared interests.

Conclusion

Remember, the point of team-building is to foster a better work environment so that people are more connected and work better together. It’s important to ensure that everyone is included and comfortable in all team activities.

If done right, team-building activities will be something people will look forward to. Take the time to plan these out carefully, consider the preferences of everyone and what is feasible for the company. What team outings has your team participated in?

Written by Kaitlin Duong

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Jony Studios is a client-focused media production studio offering audio/video production, B2B podcasting, and audiobook services. They have worked with a wide range of clients from small businesses to larger organizations such as Penguin Random House, Amazon, University of Waterloo, Freakonomics Radio and many others.

 
 

10 Best Podcast Production Companies

As podcasts have risen in popularity, many brands want to create a podcast for themselves. Developing a podcast can be a complex task, which is why many people will outsource this to a podcast production company. By doing this, you benefit from the expertise and experience these companies have.

Many options are available on the market, making it hard to narrow it down to just one. They all differ in styles, approaches, costs, and more. Some might be full-service whereas others focus on certain aspects of the product process. Ensuring you do your research and that the company checks all your boxes is important.

What is a Podcast Production Company and What to Look For?

In simple terms, a podcast production company is a company that helps other brands with creating their podcasts. This involves many aspects of the process such as production, advertising, editing, recording, scriptwriting, equipment preparation, artwork, guest coordination, and much more. A podcast production company will help you create engaging content while streamlining the process. When picking a podcast production company, there are many things you should consider.

First of all, the company's experience is key to consider. A company that has done this many times before is more likely to ensure results that you’ll be satisfied with. Make sure to look at case studies and testimonials. You also want to look at the results. See if they have positive google reviews from previous clients and that the services align with your business goals. This will give you an idea of what you will get in return from their service. Finally, consider how much they know about your content and industry. They might be a well-experienced podcast agency but have no idea what your industry is about. This can make it difficult for them to help bring your podcast vision to life. Of course, price will be a consideration as well. Every company differs in the prices they charge and whether it's monthly or per episode. Set a budget and ask for quotes as you do your research.

Now that we have discussed what a podcast production company is, we have compiled a list of the top 10 best podcast production companies.

1) Jony Studios

Jony Studios is a marketing-focused media production company, specializing in B2B podcasting and audiobook services. Their main focus is helping B2B companies drive growth through podcasting and content creation.

They have worked with some of the most popular podcasts in the business space, including Freakonomics hosted by Stephen J. Dubner. Jony Studios is trusted by Amazon, Penguin Random House, the University of Waterloo, and many other businesses ranging from start-ups to larger organizations. They help with the entire podcast process allowing you to work together remotely.

Jony Studios collaborates with you as your podcast partner. Through their ongoing managed services, all you need to do is engage in a weekly or bi-weekly conversation, and they take care of everything else. This includes finding ideal clients to feature as podcast guests on your show, as well as building an audience within your target customer niche. They provide support in hosting, managing, and crafting SEO-optimized written, audio, and video content for every episode, all designed to help grow your B2B business.

They offer flexibility by customizing the strategy and approach based on their client’s changing needs and goals. With over 10 years of media production and B2B marketing experience, they can help drive sales, increase brand awareness, and maximize lead generation efforts.

Services Include:

  • Strategy

  • Scheduling

  • Show Preparation

  • Equipment Recommendations

  • Podcast Cover Art

  • Intro/Outro (with background music)

  • Ad Spot Scripts/Voiceover

  • Guest Coordination/Communications

  • Directory Submit (Spotify, Apple, etc.)

  • Audio/Video Production

  • Show Notes

  • Uploading/Publishing

  • Video Clips

  • SEO Blogging/Written Assets

  • Marketing/Promotion

2) Resonate Recordings

Resonate Recordings is a full-service podcast production company for businesses and storytellers. With Resonate Recordings, you will benefit from one-click publishing on their hosting platform. In addition, you will get a free podcast microsite when you work with them. Resonate Recordings prides itself on using innovative technology to achieve the highest quality and maximize efficiency. They take care of everything from cover art to equipment to marketing and much more.

Services Include:

  • Podcast Directory Setup

  • Podcast Music

  • Podcast Artwork

  • Audio Trailer Episode

  • Video Trailer Episode

  • Voiceover

  • Consulting (equipment and creative)

  • Podcast Website

  • Podcast Producer Services

  • Mixing, editing and mastering

  • Show Notes

  • Transcription

  • Audiogram and Videogram

  • Social Media Marketing

3) Freedom Podcasting

Freedom Podcasting is a podcast production company tailored to forward-thinking artists, entrepreneurs, and companies. Working with Freedom is very simple, all you have to do is record your podcast episode, send it to them, and wait 3 business days. They will take care of all the editing and publishing for your episode.

Services Include:

  • Audio Podcast Production

  • Launch Strategy

  • Show Art Design

  • Episode Art Design

  • Meta-Tagging

  • Search Engine Optimization

  • Show Ideation and Execution

  • Directories Submission

  • Distribution System

4) Quill Podcast Agency

Quill is a full-service podcast agency that makes it easy for brands to create, launch and grow successful podcasts. They are an award-winning podcast production agency specializing in branded content. Quill has worked with global brands such as Interac, Expedia, Yelp, TD, SickKids, and much more to create compelling audio that drives measurable results. They focus on the full process from ideation to production and marketing. Quill recognizes that podcast success doesn’t end with a high-quality podcast. That is why they focus on post-production services using quality data-driven marketing tactics with a strong focus on audience growth.

Services Include:

  • Podcast Branding and Strategy

  • Series Conceptualization

  • Episode Planning and Scription

  • Audio Editing and Production

  • Distribution to Major Podcast Channels

  • Podcast Analytics

  • Audio Recording

  • Transcription for SEO

  • Audience Growth and Development

  • Content Repurposing

  • Guest Media Kits

  • Live Podcast Episodes

  • Advertising Campaigns

5) Sweet Fish

Sweet Fish is a media brand agency that helps B2B marketers produce content across multiple channels including podcasts. They are focused on breaking away from traditional content marketing that is copycat, commodity, corporate, and chaotic. Sweet Fish exists to help companies become their market's “favourite follow”.

Services Include:

  • Full Production of Trailer Episode

  • Publishing to All Major Podcast Platforms

  • Music

  • Intro, Outro, Ad Spot Scripts and Voiceover

  • Social Media Posts

  • Podcast Briefs

  • Editing

  • Guest Booking

6) Lower Street

Lower Street is a full-service agency that handles all of your podcast production and marketing needs from start to finish. Lower Street is focused on helping B2B companies of all sizes through narrative or story-based podcasts. With Lower Street, you could have your podcast out in as little as 2 months.

Services Include:

  • Podcast Launch Service

  • Narrative Podcast Production Service

  • Podcast Editing Services

  • Private Podcasting

  • Podcast Show Notes

  • Podcast Promotion

  • Video Podcasts

7) Pacific Content

Pacific Content is a leading podcast production company that has worked with many notable brands including Audible, Slack, Rogers, Dell, and much more. They focus on creating influential podcasts that allow brands to make deep connections with listeners. They create premium audio storytelling and assist with all aspects of the process.

Services Include:

  • Podcast strategy & development

  • Production & sound design

  • Audience development

  • Paid media & podcast integrations

8) Fame

Fame is a UK based B2B podcast production company that helps companies generate a more qualified pipeline while becoming famous in their niche. They are focused on generating profitable podcasts for growth-focused B2B businesses. They help with strategy, guest bookings, training, and much more. The idea is that they do all the work and you get all the “fame.”

Services Include:

  • Strategy

  • Guest Booking

  • Trailer Production

  • Editing

  • Podcast Directories

  • Marketing and Promotion

  • Video Podcast

9) Content Allies

Content Allies is a global leader in B2B podcasting creating revenue-generating podcasts for brands and companies. They have worked with leading companies including Meta, AWS, Cisco, Siemens and more to launch, produce, and promote. They serve enterprises, startups and SMBs. Content Allies is a full-service agency that will take care of everything from A-Z while you simply have conversations.

Services Include:

  • Strategy

  • Production

  • Guest Scheduling

  • Organic Promotion

  • Advertising

  • Show Prep

  • Equipment

  • Artwork

  • Directory Submissions

  • Show Notes

  • Video Clips

  • Uploading and Publishing

10) PodThrift

PodThrift offers affordable podcast production services from polished editing to strategy and promotion. This is a great option for those new to podcasting who don’t have a large budget. They take care of all you need to succeed. They also have a 30-day money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with their service.

Services Include:

  • Podcast Editing

  • Publishing and Distribution

  • Podcast Repurposing

  • Promotion

  • Launch Strategy

  • Analytics Reporting

  • Strategy Sessions

  • Guest Scheduling

Conclusion

Starting a podcast can be a very complex process but it’s important due to the impact that a successful podcast can have on your business. That is why hiring a podcast production company is beneficial for many brands wanting to enter this space. Now that we have listed the 10 best podcast production companies, reach out to a couple that matches your needs and set up those conversations.

Written by Kaitlin Duong

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Jony Studios is a client-focused media production studio offering audio/video production, B2B podcasting, and audiobook services. They have worked with a wide range of clients from small businesses to larger organizations such as Penguin Random House, Amazon, University of Waterloo, Freakonomics Radio and many others.

 
 

14 Tips for a Successful Product Launch

Companies are constantly seeking the next groundbreaking product to introduce to the market. Your company might be in the process of creating a new product right now. While perfecting your product is essential, it’s equally important to have a plan to launch the product to market.

All the time, resources, and money invested into your product must translate into consumer excitement and ultimately sales. It’s crucial to recognize that there are various elements of a successful product launch, and you can't simply hope that your product will sell itself. In the following, we have carefully crafted 14 tips to help you with a successful product launch.

1) Set Goals

Goals provide direction and a means to track success. Before launching your product, you must set clear and measurable goals. A SMART goal template will allow you to set realistic and trackable objectives.

Your goals should serve as benchmarks that you want to reach. This will allow you to track the success of your product launch as it goes on. Goals could relate to your sales, website traffic, social media clicks, and more. Setting measurable goals enables you to determine when your launch is on track or when adjustments are needed due to underperformance.

2) Conduct Market Research

Before you finalize and launch your product, conduct thorough research to understand the space, consumers, existing problems, and more. Ensure there is sufficient demand and that your product meets consumer needs. This research will also allow you to understand your target market.

You will seek to answer questions such as how people talk about this product category, potential obstacles to launch, consumer preferences and dislikes, how your product compares to competitors, and more. Comprehensive research will allow you to prepare for the market and ensure a more effective strategy given your increased understanding.

3) Develop Buyer Personas

The key to a successful product launch is understanding your target market. Without a clear target market, your launch plan may not effectively reach your potential audience. You need to know their demographics, preferences, problems, and how you can meet their needs.

Your market research will help you to answer some of these questions. Once you know your audience, develop a buyer persona to clearly outline all the details and characteristics of these potential consumers.

4) Conduct a Competitive Analysis

An important factor to consider when entering any market is the current competition. It can be challenging to enter a new market especially if a dominant company already has a loyal consumer base. Thus, conducting a competitive analysis in advance is crucial to understanding who you are up against. Research your competitors to identify their strengths and weaknesses, and adjust your strategy to position yourself uniquely to attract customers.

While competitors can pose challenges to your product launch, they also offer valuable insights and act as a guide, having already navigated the market. Investigate which social media channels they used, their marketing strategies, and any factors that negatively impacted their sales. Incorporate these findings into your plan to ensure success. Remember, this serves as a guide, not a step-by-step playbook. What works for one company may not work for another, so carefully evaluate each strategy before integrating it into your plan.

5) Establish a Marketing Strategy

Once you have your product and a plan to launch, you will also need a comprehensive marketing strategy to promote your product and attract attention. Every company needs a marketing strategy to build excitement and retain customers throughout the product life cycle.

This strategy should be detailed and encompass all aspects of your promotional efforts. It should include the appropriate marketing channels, creative content, posting schedules, press releases, and more.

6) Budget

Of course, you want to put your all into this product launch but there are always limitations. Budget can be one of these limitations as you must be mindful of what your company can afford. The first step, even before product development, would be establishing a clear budget. Decide how much you want to spend on product development, marketing, production, and other areas.

Throughout the process, ensure you are meeting your budget and make adjustments as needed. This will help you manage the amount of money invested in the product. While it's important to have a successful launch, you also want to avoid draining your financial resources in the process.

7) Messaging Strategy

Your messaging strategy is how your brand communicates its key messages to consumers. It’s your tone of voice, your vision, mission, values, story and much more. Your messaging is very important for your launch as you need to captivate the attention of your audience. It needs to be simple and persuasive, and communicate why a consumer should choose your product.

One effective strategy to get more attention is to start a podcast for your business. You can even delegate it to a B2B Podcast Partner who can handle the entire process for you, from finding your ideal client to network with as a podcast guest on your show, to building an audience of your ideal customer niche. They can help you host, manage, and create written SEO, audio, and video content from each episode to help grow your business and create a successful product launch.

It’s important to remember that messaging can change over time. Test out your messaging and find what works best for you. Once you do, you can make the necessary adjustments.

8) Utilize Beta Testing

It can be daunting to launch your product to the world without knowing how they’ll react. That is why beta testing is such a useful tool. Beta testing will allow you to see the type of feedback you might get from your target audience before an official release.

Beta testers are individuals who will test and provide feedback for your product in exchange for early access. Make sure to communicate with these individuals. Take the time to understand their stories and needs, understand their performance review, and collect all their feedback. You can also share your messaging with beta testers to understand the effectiveness of your promotional plans. Based on this, you can make adjustments before launch to increase the success of your product.

9) Create a Product Launch Plan

We have discussed various elements of your product launch, and all these components will come together in a product launch plan. This plan needs to be established before any steps are taken to launch the product. It will outline all aspects of the launch in a clear, concise, and easily shareable format. This will be a roadmap and central information source for all parties collaborating on this project. A plan will provide clear direction and ensure you stay on the right path.

The product launch plan will outline information such as market research, competitive analysis, pricing, marketing channels, KPIs, and much more.

10) Host an Event

Hosting a product launch event is a great way of creating buzz around your product. You can invite influencers or notable personalities in the space to come to the event and try your product. In exchange, they can post content to promote the product. This will allow you to interact with potential customers and get feedback. It is also an outlet for great content to contribute to your promotional material.

Even if you can’t have an in-person launch event, you can consider alternatives such as a live stream, inviting people to your office to demo the product, hosting a webinar, and much more. Any type of event surrounding the product will help to build interest even if it’s a virtual event.

11) Track the Success of Your Product Launch

Now that you have launched your product, the work is still not done. You must continuously track and measure the success of the launch. Make sure to identify KPIs and monitor these throughout your launch. As you track the launch, you will see if adjustments need to be made throughout the product life cycle. By tracking the numbers, you might be able to prevent a plummet in your launch plan if you detect signs of failure early and take the proper corrective actions.

12) Be Flexible

With any product launch, nothing will go exactly as planned. There are changes constantly being made and adaptations based on feedback and responses from the market.


It’s important to stay flexible and adapt to these changes. If you are too set on the original plan, you may cause the failure of your launch. That is why tracking success and beta testing are key as it allows you to see the potential for necessary changes.


13) Communicate and Collaborate

A product launch is no easy task. It involves a multitude of teams from marketing, sales, production, customer services, management, and much more. Ensuring the collaboration of all parties will ensure a smooth launch.


Have regular meetings and check-ins between teams so they can understand all the different parts going into this launch. Provide them with the support and resources they need to execute this plan. Finally, communicate with them consistently. You never know when someone will have an idea or opinion that can make a difference. You also want to ensure everyone is in the loop so they don’t miss any critical information about the launch.


14) Focus on Retention

After a successful product launch, the work isn’t complete. You now must ask the question of how you will retain these customers. You must continue to use marketing to retain interest in your product. You can demonstrate new ways to use it, provide on-going education, or even release new editions/versions.


Conclusion

You have taken extensive time to develop an exceptional product, now you must take the time to ensure the product will be a success. Many elements come into play in a product launch strategy. It will take time and the collaboration of many teams. It will be a learning process so use your resources and support from those around you to successfully launch your product.

Written by Kaitlin Duong

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Jony Studios is a client-focused media production studio offering audio/video production, B2B podcasting, and audiobook services. They have worked with a wide range of clients from small businesses to larger organizations such as Penguin Random House, Amazon, University of Waterloo, Freakonomics Radio and many others.