Fun and motivational team building activities bring people together and help coworkers see each other in a different light. Through communication, problem solving, and conflict resolution, team-bonding activities improve office relations, motivate employees and promote their creativity. Here are 4 great team building activities you can find around Washington D.C.!

Escape Room 

Locked in a room with your team for 45 minutes to get out! Can you do it?

Escape Room Live DC has 2 locations right now.  On Alexandria location, there are 4 rooms available to choose for 6-12 players: The Wizard’s Apothecary (difficulty level: 5/10), Sherlock Homes (difficulty level: 7/10), Peo-Ranormal Activity (difficulty level: 7/10), and Moriarty’s Madness (difficulty level: 6/10).

At the D.C. location, there are three rooms to choose: Back to the 80’s (difficulty level: 8/10) for 8-12 players, I Was Framed (difficulty level: 6/10) for 6-8 players, and Double Crossed (difficulty level: 6/10) for 5-7 players. Bring your team and have great memories here!

cityHUNT

 A scavenger hunt in D.C.! Exploring the city and bonding with your team.

Under a customized (group size, budgets, etc) adventure, cityHUNT provides clues in well-known landmarks, parks and neighborhoods, and then send clues to you and your coworkers in cryptic ways. Members in your group will build deeper communication and relationships while finding clues and solving problems together.

Sportrock Climbing Centers

Tired of sitting in offices? Try rock climbing with your team!

Good exercise and team building activities indoors. You don’t have to be an expert rock climber to try rock climbing. Sportrock offers a Basic Skills class. The class will teach you the essential skills needed to climb at a Sportrock facility. You’ll learn to properly put on a harness, tie into the rope and belay (secure the rope) for a partner.

Pev's Paintball

A customized (age, fitness level, etc.) paintball experience is the excellent team building activity! Your team will work together to make strategies and plan, and then make a move.  Paintball is also an aerobic exercise that builds up your strength and relieves stress.

Bring your team and try this exciting team building experience outdoors!

Patricia Yaxuan Wang

 Ryan T. Gowling

 My name is Ryan. I was born right outside of Washington in Potomac, MD. I began working for DC Workspaces in April 2014 while we began our expansion plan into the NoMa market.

 The renovations are complete at our Georgetown Center! Stop by and see our brand new look at 1101 30th Street NW Fifth Floor!  We even added a new lounge area where you can make private calls and check your mail. 

Run or Walk the Semper Fi 5k with DC Workspaces! We are proud to sponsor the Semper Fi 5k  to help raise money for wounded warriors. 

Join us!

Date: May 21st

Start Time: 8:30 am sharp

Starting Location: Lincoln Memorial

Cost

$25 registration fee + $25 donation to the Semper Fi Fund  until race day

For more information on how to register and donate go to http://semperfi5k.com/eventinfo.php

OORAH!

 About GerNika: I go by the name Gina when I am at the office. I was born and raised in Washington, DC. I attended Bowie State University for a short time and I am currently enrolled to begin classes at UMUC for Fall 2016. I have been with DC Workspaces for 9 months and I can say that it's been the best nine months of my professional career.  

My role at DC Workspaces: I am currently the Operations Manager of the Union Station location. I manage  the day-to-day activites of the center while assisting at the front desk. If you need assistance with anything, I am your girl!

The Benefit of Government Contracts

First off, what is a government contract? A government contract is an agreement that outlines business transactions between specific companies and government entities.

The U.S. Government is definitely someone you want on your side when running a business for many reasons, here are a few:

• The government is different from most markets because the government makes its needs publicly known and their list of numerous needs are easily accessible.
• Government sales ensure that the sales process is fair by conducting them in an open environment.
• The government can help grow your company because the government frequently buys in large volumes over long periods of time.
• The government is looking to support small businesses, minority-owned businesses, and many other types of firms.

If the U.S. Government is a customer of yours, this gives your business a stamp of approval and shows others the importance and reliability of your company. Meeting the governments requirements for your companies quality, price, service, and many other factors shows other companies that you are a reliable company to work with. If your company can meet the government's requirements, it will make your company a more attractive acquisition.

Where is a good place to start looking to sell to a government agency? The Small Business Association website is a great place to start. They have information on government agencies and how to get into contact with certain agencies if you are interested in a particular type of government agency.

Co-Working spaces have numerous perks for businesses. Most people think that co-working spaces are strictly for startup companies, but that is not the case. Co-working spaces can benefit any type of business at any stage of the businesses growth. These types of spaces have many benefits associated with them. The perks received from co-working space aren’t available for such low costs in a regular leased office space.

Take a look at some of the best perks associated with co-working spaces:

Access to Shared Resources

Resources such as printers, copiers, fax machines, furniture for the office, and internet connection cost a lot of money. While working in a co-working space every company has access to shared resources that cut down the costs of individually buying these pricey yet necessary office items. Not only initially purchasing these items but the costs of maintenance, repairs, and IT costs are no longer something to worry about in a co-working space.

Collaborative Benefits

The coolest part about working in a co-working space is the many different types of companies and people you come across. Just in one space there could be lawyers, IT companies, consultants, software engineers, government contractors, foundations, and many more types of businesses. This opens up opportunity to possibly collaborate on projects or new business ventures. Co-working spaces are like communities with unlimited benefits and opportunities to grow your business.

Meeting Rooms

Co-working spaces offer conference rooms that are available whenever you need them. If your business has a new client coming in or needs to conduct an interview, co-working spaces have these resources available. With co-working spaces you don’t have to run to the nearest Starbucks or squeeze into a small office in order to meet a potential client or host a meeting.

Virtual Receptionist

A huge benefit of a co-working space is the opportunity to have a virtual receptionist. These receptionists will answer your phone calls and make sure you get the information you need before taking the phone call. Co-working space receptionists are trained to handle calls for many different types of businesses, can take messages for you while you are in a meeting, and make sure that the information you need is given to you quickly and accurately. This way you do not have to hire your own receptionist, saving you and your business a lot of money.

It is very clear there are many perks of co-working space, no matter what your reason is for considering this type of work space. We often overlook the simple things like costs of maintaining an office, office resources, and how much easier co-working space is for everyone. There are many things you no longer need to worry about with co-working spaces that you would with your own office. With the availability of private offices you still get your private time to get work done and at the same time you get the benefits of not having to worry about utilities, maintenance, and other costs associated with your own space. There are designated meeting rooms readily available and an opportunity to expand your company with many other businesses and resources around you.

About Taylor: I am originally from the suburbs of Washington DC. I recently graduated from University of Alabama in May of 2015 and I am currently a new member to the team.

My role at DC Workspaces: I am part of the front desk team. I have multiple tasks to perform throughout the day at our NOMA/Union Station office.

Best part about working at DC Workspaces: I meet new people on a daily basis. Working at the front desk has given me the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. There are so many businesses and organizations I have learned about from working at DC Workspaces which have broadened my horizons.

Favorite Workspace: I love our lounge at the Union Station location, it gives everyone an opportunity to get to know each other in a non-stressful work environment.

Interests outside the office: I love traveling, playing with my dog, walking around the city, and being with family and friends.

Please join us Wednesday, May 6th for a Lunch and Learn where Steelcase will be providing a workshop on our Media:scape room. This room can be used for video conferencing, multiple presentation displays, and more! This event is specifically made for NOMA clients and we will be providing samples of signature dishes from a local restaurant. Lunch and Learn will take place in the Media:scape room from      12 pm to 1 pm.

Join us today for the Bloggers Roundtable Event at NOMA Workspaces! The event starts at 3 pm and will take place in NOMA Lounge. 

 We will have popular bloggers discussing hot topics including racial awareness, social dynamics, and relationships via social media.

This event is interactive, and we encourage participation through tweets, facebook and blogs. The bloggers will be available to answer questions and comment in real time.

Use #BRTNoMAWorkspaces to follow the conversation and interact with the bloggers! 

Yesterday, April 16th, NOMA Workspaces hosted a lunch and learn with TaKeyia Monique, the Social Media Guru and Roti Mediterranean Grill in the Monument room.

Roti Mediterranean Grill provided delicious and nutritious samples of their signature dishes. Roti prides themselves on fresh organic ingredients and food that loves you back!

Roti can cater your next business meeting! Catering orders can be placed online or by phone 877-OMG-ROTI. Orders are preferred to be placed the day prior for best services and availability since food is prepared fresh daily.

Takeyia Monique, the Social Media Guru built her reputation on the "Get Social Program", which teaches individuals and businesses on how to expand their brand, make money, and have fun doing it.

TaKeyia's quick social tips:

1.) Connect: Focus your content and find your niche

2.) Engage: Know your audience and stay consistent

3.) Influence: Inspire others and be authentic

4.) Integrate: Repost, tag others, and position yourself to WIN!

TaKeyia encouraged everyone to focus on LinkedIn as their major social media outlet. Hashtags, reposts, and supporting those connected in your industry are the keys to gaining more followers, according to the social media guru. She encouraged us to have fun with hastags and not be too serious. TaKeyia said "Post a joke or a Throwback Thursday #tbt to keep things light and fun! Create your own company hashtag!"

Thanks again to Takeyia and Roti for hosting!

What is your company's hashtag?

Bloggers Week DC and Haute Hipster Media will be hosting a Bloggers Roundtable on Monday April 27th from 3:00pm until 5:00pm here at NOMA Workspaces. We will have popular bloggers discuss hot topics around racial awareness, social dynamics, and relationships via social media.

This event is interactive, and we encourage participation though tweets, facebook and blogs. The bloggers will be available to answer questions and comment in real time.

We are excited to be hosting this event and kick off Bloggers Week 2015!

About Colleen: I am originally from the suburbs of Philadelphia. I graduated from Marymount University in 2009 and have been working at DC Workspaces (formally DC Business Centers) since October 2010.

My role at DC Workspaces: I am part of the sales team. I sell virtual and private offices at all three DC Workspaces locations: NOMA/Union Station, Georgetown, and Farragut.

Best part about working at DC Workspaces: Everyday I meet people from different industries and backgrounds. Our clients consist of start-ups, non-profits, government contractors, lawyers, and international corporations. I enjoy signing a new start-up company who needs a DC business address to establish a DC presence. Many times start-ups will update me about how their business has grown and they are ready for a private office.

Favorite Workspace: The NOMA Lounge at our Union Station location is a great workspace for me to collaborate with colleagues.

Interests outside the office: I love traveling, running races, baking and spending time with my fiance, friends, and family.