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MENLO PARK, Calif., May 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Why break bread with colleagues when you can break dance? That's what one company did for team building, according to a survey of 400 U.S. advertising and marketing executives by The Creative Group, a specialized staffing service for interactive, design and marketing professionals.

Advertising and marketing executives were asked, "What is the wackiest or most unusual team-building activity you've ever participated in or heard of a company participating in?" Here are some of their responses:

• "A dance-off."
• "We had a psychic come and do readings."
• "Getting pedicures."
• "Indoor skydiving and surfing."
• "A one-week retreat in the desert."
• "An improv class."

"Creative teams are busier than ever, but carving out time for 'structured play' can boost staff morale and collaboration," said Diane Domeyer, executive director of The Creative Group. "When choosing team-building events, employers should pick activities that support their business objectives, whether it's rewarding hard work, building rapport, improving communication or sparking creativity."

Team-building activities don't have to be elaborate to be effective. Often, a simple game or outing can do the trick:

• "Speed meeting -- like speed dating."
• "We had to tell everyone something about ourselves using movements and not speaking."
• "Making up a song about the company."
• "A painting class."

Some teams break the ice by having employees share their answers to the following questions:

• "If you could be any superhero, who would you choose?"
• "If you could be a vegetable, which one would you be?"
• "What animal would you be and why?"
• "If you had to change one thing about the world, what would it be?"

Engaging in a friendly competition, paradoxically, can bring colleagues closer:

• "An office tournament."
• "We held a cubicle decorating contest."
• "Everyone had to hop on one foot and the last person standing was named the winner."

Some companies prefer to physically get outside the box when it comes to team building:

• "River rafting."
• "Climbing a mountain."
• "Participating in a 200-mile relay across the state with 20 people."
• "Going to a Renaissance fair."
• "We went into the wilderness and had to figure out how to get back by relying on each other."

Finally, these teams prove you can build camaraderie, while doing good:

• "We put on costumes and visited patients at a children's hospital."
• "We put together food packages for a nonprofit organization."
• "We hosted an ice cream social for another department."

About The Creative Group
The Creative Group (TCG) specializes in placing a range of highly skilled interactive, design, marketing, advertising and public relations professionals with a variety of firms on a project, contract-to-hire and full-time basis. More information, including online job-hunting services, candidate portfolios and TCG's blog, can be found at creativegroup.com.

SOURCE The Creative Group