Client: American Orthodontics
Participants: 130 team members
Format: CSR Team Building Experience
Location: Portugal
Duration: 3 hours
Organised by: Go Discover Portugal
Last week, Go Discover Portugal delivered a purpose-driven CSR team-building experience for 130 team members from American Orthodontics, combining collaboration, creativity, and social impact in a single, meaningful format.
The Concept
The objective was clear: move beyond traditional team building and create an experience where collaboration had a tangible outcome. Teams were challenged to design and build wooden toys and dolls, which were later donated to charitable organisations supporting children in need.
The activity began with a short introduction explaining the social context and the impact the toys would have. This framing immediately shifted the group mindset—from competition to contribution.
The Experience
Participants were divided into teams and provided with materials, tools, and creative guidelines. Each team had to:
Collaborate under time pressure
Communicate ideas clearly and efficiently
Allocate roles based on individual strengths
Deliver a finished, safe, and thoughtful product
What quickly became evident was how the charitable purpose elevated engagement. Teams were not just building an object; they were building something for someone else. This created a natural focus, reduced internal barriers, and encouraged supportive communication across departments and hierarchies.
Why CSR Team Building Adds Depth
CSR team building adds an extra layer of meaning to collaboration. Knowing that the outcome will benefit others:
Encourages more inclusive decision-making
Strengthens listening and empathy within teams
Shifts focus from individual performance to collective responsibility
Creates shared pride that extends beyond the event itself
In this case, the giving element transformed the activity from a challenge into a shared mission—resulting in deeper connections and more authentic teamwork.
The Impact
By the end of the session, teams proudly presented their completed toys and dolls, fully aware that their work would soon bring joy to children outside the room. The sense of accomplishment was both professional and personal.
Feedback highlighted how the experience felt rewarding, energising, and genuinely meaningful, reinforcing the idea that team building can be both effective and socially responsible.
Conclusion
This CSR team-building experience with American Orthodontics demonstrates how purpose-driven events can strengthen collaboration while creating positive impact beyond the organisation. When teams work together to give, communication becomes more intentional, collaboration more human, and the experience far more memorable.
