At Bolser, we value our time in our Leeds city centre office — those three days a week are vital for face-to-face communication and building personal rapport. But our recent summer event reminded us just how essential it is to take those interactions outside the office too. We kicked off the day with a few intensively competitive rounds of laser tag at Yorkshire Activity Park, running around the woods, playing attack and defence helped build alliances, strategy, communications and teamwork! Fun but with a purpose. We followed with a relaxed evening of food, drink and dance at the Canary Bar in Leeds Dock.

In today’s hybrid work environment, where remote working can often limit spontaneous conversations and team bonding, social events like this are more important than ever. They are not just a break from the routine — they help us reconnect on a deeper level, breaking through the barriers that can sometimes come with a dispersed workforce.

Our event reinforced the value of in-person interaction — something that goes beyond simple collaboration. It’s about the subtle, yet powerful, exchanges that happen face-to-face: reading body language, laughing together, catching the nuances of tone, and directly experiencing company culture. These are the elements that build trust and understanding, which other companies, who might not have regular office days, may struggle to replicate.

For our five new starters, this was a great ice breaker. Moving beyond Slack chat and Zoom calls, they were able to fully engage with the team, understand our dynamics, and get a real feel for Bolser’s culture. These experiences are crucial for integration and for building the trust that makes us a truly cohesive team.

This isn’t just about us at Bolser. Every business, no matter the industry, can benefit from making time for social events. They boost morale, spark creativity, and build the kind of strong, connected teams that drive success. With the ongoing challenges of remote work, these gatherings are more than a nice-to-have — they’re essential for maintaining a motivated and engaged workforce.

Here’s to more moments of connection, collaboration, and stronger teams in this evolving work landscape!