A 4 Hour Deep Dive To
Re-Energise Team Spirit

“No stale team building exercises – this was designed to be memorable, playful and impactful.“

Overview

Ricoh is a global technology and digital services company known for its innovative approach to workplace solutions. With offices across Europe and a commitment to team cohesion and progressive culture, the Ricoh Amsterdam team wanted a unique experience to spark creativity, build team spirit, and strengthen collaboration.

Project Brief

Amid the pressures of project delivery and hybrid working, Ricoh sought an energising experience to reconnect colleagues, encourage creativity and reinforce what makes great teams thrive. Creative Flourishing designed a 4-hour immersive experience for 20 participants, inspired by the spirit of The Crystal Maze and rooted in feedback from Gallup’s research on team engagement and effectiveness.

The team-building event was designed to achieve 3 key outcomes:

  1. Strengthen Team Spirit: Build trust, energy, and psychological safety across the group
  2. Enhance Team Effectiveness: Explore collaboration dynamics through engaging, game-based challenges
  3. Celebrate Personal Creativity: Reignite the freedom to be creative and playful at work

Why It Matters

For companies looking to move beyond dry team-building and into something truly energising, this experience demonstrates the power of structured play. When people are invited to explore, laugh, and collaborate in new ways, the effects ripple back into the culture—boosting morale, creativity, and trust.

Impact

1. Renewed Team Energy

Participants left recharged, laughing, and more connected to one another.

2. Greater Collaboration Insight

Teams gained a deeper understanding of what helps or hinders their ability to work together

3. Creativity Unleashed

Individuals experienced a rare moment of freedom and self-expression within the workplace context.

    How did we achieve this in 4 hours?

    Using six high-energy, carefully facilitated stages

    Part 1 – Frame and Connect

    Set the tone for openness, trust, and collaboration. Created a psychologically safe environment where participants could relax, be themselves and enjoy the experience ahead.

    Part 2 – Four Challenge Zones

    Participants rotated through four bespoke-designed games, each focused on a key teamwork capability:
    > Imagination: Thinking creatively under pressure
    > Communication: Precision, clarity and collaboration
    > Strategy: Planning and adapting as a group
    > Agility: Reacting to changing conditions and improvising together

    Part 3 – Team Reflection

    Following the first four zones, teams came together to reflect on key questions:
    > When did cooperation flow, and when did competition get in the way?
    > What behaviours enhanced team effectiveness—and what blocked it?
    > How does fun and freedom impact our ability to perform at our best?

    Part 4 – Game Design Challenge

    Each team was given a new brief: design a creative game of your own. Under time pressure, they had to plan, lead, and deliver an inclusive game where everyone could participate. This challenge encouraged leadership, innovation, and clear communication.

    Part 5 – Play and Experience Each Other’s Games

    The energy peaked as teams tested each other’s creations—cheering, learning, adapting, and having fun.

    Part 6 – Final Debrief and Reflection

    The experience concluded with a collective debrief—drawing out lessons about creativity, inclusion, team dynamics along with the value of play in organisational life.

    Conclusion

    The session was designed and delivered by Andy Dunn of Creative Flourishing, blending group facilitation, game design expertise, and a deep understanding of what fuels team energy and cohesion.

     “This wasn’t about games for the sake of games. It was about what happens when people feel free, energised, and supported enough to take risks, be themselves, and create together.” — Andy

    Let’s Create Your Intensive, High Impact Event
    TALK TO ANDY