7 Mistakes You're Making with Team Building Events (And How NES Cornhole Lounge Can Fix Them)
- Catina Downey
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Team building events can make or break workplace relationships. When done right, they boost morale and productivity. When done wrong, they waste time and money while making employees dread the next company outing.
Most companies make the same predictable mistakes when planning team events. Here are the seven biggest ones and how switching to a cornhole lounge experience fixes each problem.
Mistake #1: No Clear Purpose
Companies book team building activities without defining what they want to achieve. Employees show up confused about why they're there and what they're supposed to get out of it.
How NES Cornhole Lounge Fixes This
Cornhole naturally creates specific outcomes. Teams practice communication, develop strategy, and celebrate wins together. The competitive element gives everyone a clear goal to work toward. You can easily measure success through participation levels and team interaction.

Mistake #2: One-Size-Fits-All Activities
Generic team building programs ignore the fact that every group has different personalities, physical abilities, and interests. What works for the sales team might completely alienate the accounting department.
How NES Cornhole Lounge Fixes This
Cornhole works for everyone. Introverts and extroverts both enjoy the game. Physical requirements are minimal - anyone can participate regardless of fitness level. The game scales perfectly whether you have 10 people or 100. Plus, people can choose their involvement level naturally.
Mistake #3: Focusing on Fun Instead of Results
Many companies pick activities based on what sounds entertaining rather than what builds actual skills. The event becomes just another day off instead of meaningful development.
How NES Cornhole Lounge Fixes This
Cornhole combines entertainment with skill development. Teams practice problem-solving under pressure, learn to handle wins and losses gracefully, and develop better communication patterns. The competitive format naturally brings out leadership qualities and teamwork skills that transfer directly to the workplace.

Mistake #4: Forcing Participation
Mandatory team building creates resentment. When employees feel pressured to participate in activities they're uncomfortable with, it backfires completely.
How NES Cornhole Lounge Fixes This
The relaxed lounge atmosphere removes pressure. People can participate at their comfort level - playing actively, cheering from the sidelines, or socializing between games. The casual setting makes involvement feel natural rather than forced.
Mistake #5: Poor Communication and Planning
Teams arrive not knowing what to expect. Poor scheduling, unclear instructions, and lack of follow-through create confusion and frustration.
How NES Cornhole Lounge Fixes This
Professional venue management handles all logistics. Clear booking processes, detailed event planning, and experienced staff eliminate communication problems. Your team knows exactly what to expect when they arrive.

Mistake #6: Ignoring Group Dynamics
Companies mix departments or hierarchy levels without considering how this affects participation. Senior managers playing alongside new interns can create awkward power dynamics.
How NES Cornhole Lounge Fixes This
Cornhole naturally levels the playing field. Job titles don't matter when you're aiming for the hole. The game creates organic mixing opportunities while allowing people to stay in their comfort zones. Natural team formation happens without forced groupings.
Mistake #7: Bad Timing and Logistics
Scheduling physically demanding activities after long work days or failing to account for transportation and facilities ruins the experience before it starts.
How NES Cornhole Lounge Fixes This
Indoor venues eliminate weather concerns. Central locations reduce transportation headaches. Flexible scheduling accommodates different team preferences. The controlled environment ensures consistent experiences regardless of external factors.

Why Cornhole Works Better Than Traditional Team Building
Traditional team building often feels disconnected from actual work situations. Trust falls and rope courses create artificial challenges that don't translate to office dynamics.
Cornhole mirrors real workplace scenarios. Teams strategize together, handle pressure, celebrate successes, and bounce back from failures. These are the exact skills needed for project collaboration and daily teamwork.
The casual competitive format removes workplace hierarchies temporarily while maintaining professional relationships. This creates authentic bonding opportunities without forced intimacy.
Making Your Next Event Count
Start with clear objectives. Define what specific outcomes you want before booking any venue. Consider your team's composition - different departments, personality types, and comfort levels.
Choose activities that naturally create the behaviors you want to see at work. Cornhole develops communication, strategic thinking, and mutual support in an organic way.
Plan logistics carefully. Consider timing, location accessibility, and backup plans. Professional venues handle these details so you can focus on your team.

The Real Cost of Bad Team Building
Poor team building events don't just waste money - they damage team cohesion. Employees remember uncomfortable or pointless activities long after successful projects are forgotten.
Bad experiences create resistance to future team development efforts. People become skeptical of company initiatives and participation drops for all future events.
Good team building creates positive associations that improve overall workplace culture. People look forward to company events and feel more connected to their colleagues.
Getting Started
Successful team building starts with understanding your team's specific needs and choosing venues that naturally create positive interactions.
Consider how the activity will feel for different personality types in your group. Think about the skills you want to develop and choose formats that practice those abilities.
Ready to plan an event that actually works? Book your team building experience and see how cornhole creates better team dynamics than traditional corporate activities.
Your next team building event should bring people together naturally while developing real workplace skills. Skip the trust exercises and rope courses. Choose an activity that combines fun with genuine team development in a comfortable setting where everyone can participate at their own level.


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