Embrace the Madness

Embrace the Madness
By: Robert F. DeFinis, Ed.D.
 
Did you complete your bracket? Who do you have in the final four? It’s that time of year again! It is a time when we embrace the madness of March with the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments. But what does that mean for companies? According to some estimates, the loss in productivity caused by employees watching, skipping work, and running office pools can be up to $17 billion dollars (Challenger, Gray, and Christmas). While this number may seem alarming, I think there is a massive upside to having employees take a break from the day-to-day to engage in what has become an informal American tradition. While not everyone may watch or know what is going on in the world of college basketball, anyone can jump in the fun, learn on the fly, or, at the very least, join in the conversation. March Madness reminds us that our people need opportunities to just have random fun at the expense of the organization - and that's okay!

However, if you want to put some structure to it, celebrating March Madness at work can be a fun way to foster team spirit and camaraderie among colleagues.
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Office Bracket Challenge
Organize a March Madness bracket competition among coworkers. Set up a bracket pool where participants can predict the outcomes of each game. Offer prizes for the winners, such as gift cards, company swag, or bragging rights.
Watch Parties
Host watch parties during lunch breaks or after work hours to watch the games together. Set up a TV or projector in a common area and provide snacks and beverages for everyone to enjoy. Encourage employees to wear their favorite team's gear to show their support.
Office Decorations
Decorate the office with March Madness-themed decorations, such as banners, streamers, and balloons in the colors of participating teams. Create a festive atmosphere that gets everyone excited for the tournament.
Team Spirit Days
Dedicate certain days during March Madness to dress up in team colors or sports attire. Encourage employees to show off their team spirit by wearing jerseys, hats, or face paint representing their favorite teams.
Bracket Breaks
Schedule short breaks throughout the workday for employees to check their brackets, discuss game highlights, or catch up on scores. Encourage friendly banter and camaraderie among coworkers who are following the tournament.
Office Pool Potluck
Organize a potluck lunch or happy hour where employees can bring in dishes or snacks to share while discussing the tournament. Encourage them to get creative with themed dishes or snacks named after their favorite teams.
Trivia and Games
Host March Madness-themed trivia contests or games during team meetings or breaks. Create trivia questions related to college basketball history, famous players, or memorable tournament moments.
March Madness Awards
Create fun awards or superlatives for employees based on their March Madness predictions or level of enthusiasm during the tournament. Recognize achievements such as "Bracket Guru," "March Madness MVP," or "Most Spirited Fan."
Virtual Events
To keep remote teams or employees who can't be in the office connected and engaged in the March Madness festivities, organize virtual watch parties, online trivia games, or video conferencing sessions.