Planning a team event in Berlin: 5 ideas to strengthen team spirit

"Great developments in companies never come from one person. They are the product of a team." This insight comes from one of the most well-known 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 restrictions that came with it didn't make things any easier. We at Theyo, the relatively young start-up from Berlin, can tell you a thing or two about it. Nevertheless, we have managed to create a respectful and pleasant cooperation, 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 cohesion at a team event in Berlin!

Reasons for a fun team event in Berlin

But why let energy and resources flow into a team event at all? There are various reasons for this, which can be decisive, especially for Berlin companies and start-ups:
Start-ups and smaller companies often recruit their employees from far away. In Berlin in particular, however, it is often difficult for employees who have moved here to develop a sense of belonging in the anonymous big city. If you have a good connection to your colleagues, that is 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 immensely easier. And not only for new employees a team event in Berlin has a high social benefit. Because such an event offers space to break out of the standard office small talk and get to know the other members of the team from a completely new perspective. Basically, the team spirit increases and the group works better together.
A shared fun experience can also raise intrinsic motivation to a new level! The relationship with the company is strengthened and, above all 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 show themselves to be approachable. Possible fears towards superiors can be reduced. This often makes it easier for employees to contact the responsible bosses in the event of any problems.
All in all, the company also ultimately benefits, because the happier the employees, the better their performance.

5 ideas for team building measures in and around Berlin

So there is 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 to meet the taste of everyone, or at least most, 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

Certainly no longer an insider tip, but simply unbeatable for group cohesion, are escape rooms. As a team, the participants have to try to solve the riddle and find the way out, "Escape", from the room. Instead of playing against each other, we play with each other. Communication and teamwork are essential. We think: Even if the Escape Room has now had its first 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.

Don't feel like another escape room event in Berlin? Canoeing on the Spree as an alternative team event in Berlin!

If you don't want to see another escape room from the inside and are already tired of this activity, canoeing on the Spree is a great alternative! This opportunity is limited to "real life" and the warm months, but is nevertheless 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, as do the colleagues. Canoeing is also suitable for inexperienced water lovers and requires no prior knowledge of rowing. Afterwards, the hunger for this small sporting activity can be satisfied together, with a meal together in the beer garden or with 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 - 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 in Eisenbahnstraße, for example, is a good location for a boisterous and boozy party. In its basement there is room for up to 70 people to celebrate. You can also dance well into the morning hours in Mein Haus am See on Rosenthaler Platz. There is also a "party cellar" here that can be rented for events, with a little more space than in the bird. If you like something more classic, with fine food in the restaurant, we can accommodate you! recommend in Kreuzberg. Enjoyment comes first in this slow-food restaurant. The menu, which also offers vegetarian options, is accompanied by delicious natural wines.

Another great option for Christmas parties is the Oberhafenkantine . It even has a special offer for Christmas parties: a small, private Christmas market! There are different dishes and drinks in small huts. And should Corona make the celebration season difficult for us again this winter, possible distance rules can easily be observed in the Oberhafenkantine with plenty of space in the huge outdoor area.
The gifts are also an important success factor for a successful celebration. Our tip to avoid long faces when giving Secret Santa: Take the gifts into your own hands! From experience we can say: Our chocolate boxes are always very well received :). And not only at Christmas, but also on special occasions or just because there are employee gifts - maybe even a three-month chocolate subscription ? ;) – a good idea to increase 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: Your employee gifts will remain tax-free in 2022.

The absolute ice breaker as a team event: karaoke

Are you looking for a team event that will lighten up the atmosphere in the office? Then off to a karaoke bar, because a visit there together is definitely an absolute ice breaker! A great recommendation is Monster Ronson's Ichiban Karaoke on Warschauer Strasse. Smaller teams can spend a great evening in the gay-friendly karaoke bar with numerous private karaoke boxes. And once the superiors have belted out "I Will Always Love You" in a duet, the group atmosphere is definitely secured for the next few months!

What could be even better than a company outing in Berlin? And has to do with chocolate?

If the above options don't appeal to you, 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 in the world of fine chocolate, try your hand at various delicious chocolates and learn exciting facts and background information about the production of our favorite sweets.
The time frame is 60-90 minutes, depending on which tasting you choose. We are very flexible in the concrete planning, i.e. as far as the process is concerned, so we can also respond to your special wishes or simply supplement one of the above variants.
The great thing is that the tasting can take place entirely online, in real life, or as a mix. Because we are from Berlin ourselves, we can also come to your Berlin office, for example, or add to one of the team event ideas mentioned above. In the past two years we have also conducted numerous online tastings with Corona. You will have the chocolate conveniently sent to your home, via Zoom, Google Meet or whatever platform you prefer, we will then simply join in. Have we piqued your interest? You can get the most important informationhere , but of course you can also contact us directly if you have any questions!

Finally: You can claim these tax benefits at a team event

If the previous paragraphs have not yet 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 twice a year, so the budget per person per year is even 220 euros! It is important that this EUR 110 per event per employee must not be exceeded, because otherwise the additional amount is classified as a non-cash benefit and must 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 we were able to convince you with this article of the benefits that a team event has for your group and the company!