Do Outdoor Training Activities Truly Boost Employee Productivity and How Can We Measure Their Impact?

Well, I have seen many companies organizing outdoor training for their employees, where they take employees for one day or a few days to some resort or distant place. They conduct training which includes the following activities:

1) Trekking
2) Games/Competitions among all
3) Adventure Rides
4) Storytelling activities
5) Cooking on their own
6) Motivational lectures, etc.

These are some of the activities that they do in outdoor training.

Effectiveness of Outdoor Training Activities

Now, my query is, do these types of activities really help improve production in the company or enhance the output of employees? If yes, how do we measure that, and how beneficial is it to conduct such training every 6 months?

Part of the first sentence of your post is "I have seen many companies organizing outdoor training for their employees..." If you have seen "many" companies organizing outdoor training, then why not contact them and ask how they measured the training effectiveness? Out of "many," at least "a few" are expected to reply. If you do not receive any replies, it shows that they have nothing credible to share, or their lack of communication reflects poorly on the HR fraternity as a whole.

Occasionally, posts of this kind keep appearing on this forum. About nine years ago, I provided a reply. You may click the following link to refer to it: https://www.citehr.com/313635-whethe...ml#post1422129

Objectives of Organizing Employee Training

Lastly, consider why we organize employee training. It should be organized with the following objectives:
a) To reduce costs
b) To decrease resource consumption
c) To shorten process turnaround time
d) To increase or decrease a specific ratio.

Whether outbound or inbound, technical or soft skills, as long as you achieve any of the above-mentioned objectives, it is sufficient. Do not focus on the training title or the target audience. Always aim for organizational change.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

Dear Dineshji,

Thanks for the reply. My intention here is to understand the improvements that outbound training can bring to an organization, particularly outdoor training activities such as trekking, campfires, playing outdoor games, and group discussions.

I look forward to your guidance and insights.

Regards

Dear Savli, I have been involved in training for the past 19 years, and I have yet to come across a case study on the measurement of the effectiveness of OBT. Many HR professionals are fascinated with HR jargon, and one of these is OBT.

By the way, OBT is only a means and not an end. I have listed the ends in my previous post. Therefore, wouldn't it be more worthwhile to focus on the ends rather than the means?

What is the nature of your industry?

Are you in manufacturing or the service industry? For both types, improving quality is crucial. The more you focus on quality, the less it becomes.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

The Benefits of Outdoor Training (OBT)

OBT is a very popular and commonly used training intervention that is liked by most employees. Who does not enjoy going outdoors for a fun-filled activity? Overnight stays are even better. They provide a good break from routine and stressful jobs, rejuvenate employees, and also motivate them by sending a message that the company cares for them and is willing to invest in them.

Impact on Employee Engagement and Team Building

During outdoor training, the entertainment and fun factor is very high, ensuring increased engagement. Beyond conceptual learnings, team-building definitely occurs. Interpersonal relationships improve, employees get closer, ice is broken, trust is built, and new and stronger bonds of friendship are forged. Personal egos are set aside during campfires and evening drinks. Conflicts get diffused, communication becomes informal, and this carries over into the workplace.

Now, with so many changes happening overnight and the bonds among employees getting stronger, leading to good teamwork and relationships, no HR professional can doubt that this will reflect in increased productivity, improved customer service, and strong internal marketing.