Planning a team-building event soon raises a question: what budget should you allow? For a business, this is a legitimate question. However, it cannot be separated from what the team wants to experience. Comparing prices without knowing what the proposals include risks equating experiences that do not address the same need. An event designed for an initial meeting and a project built around a communication issue are not necessarily defined in the same way. In French-speaking Switzerland, Esprit d’Équipe Rowing offers corporate experiences centred on rowing. Prices have not yet been published: this guidance therefore helps you prepare an enquiry, rather than estimate an invented amount.
Why start with objectives rather than a price?
A budget is a means of supporting an intention. Before looking for a figure, articulate what is driving your project: enabling a team to get to know one another, supporting integration, making room for cooperation or sharing a highlight of a company away day. This intention does not guarantee an outcome, but it helps clarify what the proposal should include.
An enquiry limited to ‘an activity for our team’ leaves plenty of room for interpretation. By contrast, describing your context allows you to discuss whether the format is appropriate. Esprit d’Équipe Rowing’s bespoke team building is tailored to the company’s objectives, the number of participants and the desired level of cohesion. The budget should be discussed on that basis, without assuming that a standard price suits every group.
What information makes a proposal more precise?
Provide the approximate number of participants, your preferred timing, the format you are interested in and your main objective. Also specify any known constraints within your company, without presenting them as conditions already accepted by the organiser. This information is the starting point for a discussion, not a booking.
The exact location, duration, equipment, safety arrangements, supervision and opportunities to take part in rowing are agreed with Nicolas Coassin. The fact that the company is based in Lausanne and operates in French-speaking Switzerland does not imply a particular lake, partner club or route. To prepare for internal approval, request a written proposal that distinguishes confirmed elements from those still to be decided. This will prevent you from building your budget on assumptions.
How can you compare proposals accurately?
Compare their scope first. A line labelled ‘team building’ does not, on its own, explain what employees will experience. Look at the objective, the planned stages, the emphasis on the group and the practical arrangements. Ask what is included, what is not and what could change the proposal.
It is useful to distinguish your budget for the experience from any internal or additional costs. Transport, a meal or a meeting associated with the project should not be considered included without confirmation. These questions do not describe Esprit d’Équipe Rowing’s services; they provide a framework for any company planning an event. A clear scope allows more transparent decision-making, even when no prices have yet been published.
Why does the format matter in the discussion?
The formats offered by Esprit d’Équipe Rowing serve distinct purposes. The discovery day offers an accessible first experience, even without a sporting background. Bespoke team building starts with the company’s objectives. Inter-company challenges and regattas aim to create a group dynamic around a shared objective. Choosing a format helps guide the conversation before addressing the budget.
However, it would be incorrect to infer a pricing hierarchy, duration or capacity from this. These details have not been provided. Instead, explain what appeals to you about each approach and what seems essential for your team. Nicolas Coassin will be able to clarify the proposal and its conditions. The aim is to select an experience that fits your project, not to fill a budget line with an activity chosen at random.
What should you confirm before approving the budget?
Before your company gives its agreement, check the proposed amount in CHF, its scope, the payment terms, the cancellation arrangements and the provisions for adverse weather. None of these details should be assumed. For Esprit d’Équipe Rowing, prices and contractual terms are discussed while preparing your proposal.
Also prepare for questions from your management or purchasing department: who is taking part, what intention has been chosen, who approves the practical arrangements and how will the team be informed? A defensible budget is one whose assumptions are explicit. There is no need to claim that the event will deliver a quantifiable return. Honestly describing the expected experience, its conditions and its limitations provides a stronger basis for decision-making. The proposal then becomes a shared discussion tool, rather than an abstract promise.
What are the key takeaways?
Are prices published for the experiences?
No. Prices are discussed while preparing your proposal. A proposal should specify the amount and what it includes.
What should we provide when requesting a budget?
Your objective, the approximate number of participants, your preferred timing and your desired format provide the basis for a focused discussion.
Which format should you explore for your team?
Discover the format linked to this reflection, then request a proposal for your company.
Read the frequently asked questions to prepare for your project.