Over the years I’ve had the chance to work in a lot of companies, and I’ve seen a lot of different team-building attempts take place. In restaurants, these were often nights out with too many adult beverages. At a power station, we had some large outdoor BBQs, where again, sometimes there were too many adult drinks consumed.
When I came to Denver, I worked in a company that had a small fund they used for team outings once a quarter. A movie, bowling, maybe a meal, usually during an extended lunch hour or an early end to the day. At Redgate, we have a Feel-Good-Fund in each office and teams can make use of this for an activity periodically where they engage in something together. I rarely get to participate because I’m so remote and it makes me a little sad, since I see pictures on Slack of escape rooms, punting (boating), visiting museums, archery competitions, and more. However, we have taken the time to do a few things when Grant, Ryan, and I get together. Most recently, we went to a science museum in Cambridge one afternoon.
The Data Community Summit has been a part of my life for over 20 years, and I’ve often gone with the goal of spending more time with people than in sessions. The bonds I’ve built there have been amazing, whether in the convention center, over a meal, or out at some event. This year is no different, as I look forward to meeting new friends and greeting old ones.
Building a bond with others is something that takes time, but it can grow more quickly when everyone involved is enjoying themselves. Years ago Andy Warren and I were discussing how to get more people to network. There were lots of parties thrown by vendors, but not everyone was invited, and a lot of people don’t want to go out drinking in a loud atmosphere. We came up with Game Night and convinced PASS to give us a room. It was a wild success, and it’s continued many of the years since.
This year Game Night is back. It’s a little more formally organized, but it’s on the community page as an event Wednesday night, after the exhibition reception. The staff is looking to bring some games, and they’ve asked what others think or what they want to play. Knowing many of you will want to bring your own games, I’m not worried, but I do hope that everyone going spreads the word and the night is a rousing success. I stopped by the Game Night at That Conference this summer and it was a good time. Lots of people having fun, in big and small groups, playing all sorts of games. Some short, some long, some easy, some very complex.
Engaging with someone over a game of some sort is a good way to get to know them, and enjoy their company during an activity that is more engaging than watching a movie or going to a loud concert. Those things are fun as well, but part of professional events is getting to know others and building your network. Hopefully to take advantage of those opportunities at user groups, SQL Saturdays, or large conferences.
And if you’re coming to the Summit, consider bringing a game to share with others or coming to Game Night and learning a new one.
Steve Jones
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Voice of the DBA 
Drinking is not team building at all. It’s just an excuse for those who like to drink to do so and for the executives to waste large sums of money (alcohol at these events is never reasonably priced). Why pay the non-executive staff more in salary when the executives can take a queue from the Romans and appease the employees with bread & circus a few times a year? It not only allows the execs to partake in the joy of spending that money but in the end it’s cheaper too so the executives can get bigger bonuses.
As you can see I’m not a fan of these kinds of events be they done under the guise of a team building exercise or an event or celebration. In this day & age what employees want and appreciate is more $$ not more corporate sponsored gatherings. I’ve been in the work force for over 30 years and not once have I heard a non-executive employee say we need more company parties and not better pay. There are legitimate team building events out there and I’ve been to and benefited from one before but anything else corporate sponsored is IMHO a waste of company money that would be more appreciated as bonus pay to regular employees.
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It’s not that drinking is teambuilding, it’s a social situation where drinks are served. Some companies allow this, some don’t. Of all I’ve seen, it’s not large sums of money, unless it’s managers/execs only, and then it sometimes gets large.
However, this isn’t a bread and circus, it’s a chance to get people to know each other. There wouldn’t be more $$, perhaps USD$100 over a year, but I don’t think that makes enough of an impact to individuals, and it can take away the chance to build better teams. I think running some sort of event is a good idea, though it shouldn’t be an excuse to have more and 1 or maybe 2 drinks
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Becasue if my access I’veseen what acompany will waste in alcoholic outings and ir is definately enough that if given teh choice I doubt the majority fo employees woudl say spend it on booze vs give me a little extra $$$
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