There you are, trying to get your 7,654th idea for your next team-building event. Or maybe it's your very first one. You're weighing your options between a pizza party (because everyone loves carbs) or a brainstorming game that no one actually wants to participate in. So, you're thinking, “What should I do this time?” Well, that’s the wrong question.

The correct question always starts with “Why?”. Why do you want to organize a team-building event in the first place? Is it just another task handed down from management, something your team is begging for, or do you genuinely believe it will help your team achieve a specific goal? There’s no wrong answer here. And whatever it is, you’ve got a team-building event to organize, and we’re here to help you figure out whether you should go custom or stick with an off-the-shelf activity.

Off-the-Shelf Quizzes:

Simple, Easy, and Ready to Roll

Studies show that effective collaboration can increase productivity by a staggering 39%.

Let’s think about off-the-shelf activities, like a Music Quiz. You Google it, find a good one, set up a room in the office (or on Zoom, because 2024), send out the invites, and bam! It’s done.

Off-the-shelf quizzes are the "set it and forget it" of team-building. They’re like buying a frozen pizza: just pop it in the oven, and 20 minutes later, everyone’s enjoying cheesy goodness. No one is asking, “What’s the crust made of?” or “Is this locally sourced organic pepperoni?” It’s quick, it’s easy, and it gets the job done.

With a good off-the-shelf quiz, the teams are having fun bonding, management is happy, and you’ve saved yourself a ton of time, effort, and endless brainstorming. *Pro tip: Find a good quiz creator, and you’ll never have to think about next month’s team-building again. You’ll be on autopilot, and that’s okay—sometimes you need it.

Custom Quizzes: Tailored for Your Team's Unique Needs

Now, if you’ve got a specific problem to solve or a unique goal in mind, that’s where custom quizzes come in. Imagine this: you’ve got a remote team, and everyone is coming together for the first time in months (or years) to a location. You want them to interact, bond, and feel like they belong, but small talk only goes so far.

What do they all have in common? Work. And that’s where a custom quiz shines.

In Quizzaria Entertainment, we’ve had multiple cases where we created custom games for our clients, whether it was incorporating business jargon, matching a team’s high-energy dynamics, or building a storyline-based game where participants had to use work-related skills to overcome challenges.

Custom quizzes can be personalized to reflect your company culture, inside jokes, or even the weird quirks of your team (looking at you, Steve, with the collection of rubber ducks on your desk). You give us the goal, we create the tools, and together we reach that target.

Quick Pros and Cons

Off-the-Shelf Quizzes:

Pros:

• Saves time and effort (because no one wants to spend hours crafting the perfect question)

• More affordable (we’re all thinking about that budget!)

• Little to no preparation required (just hit “play” and go)

• Quick set-up (you can do it on your lunch break)

Cons:

• Lack of flexibility (no, you can’t throw in a bonus question about your CEO’s karaoke skills)

• Not tailored to specific team goals: If you’re aiming for problem-solving, communication, or specific skill development, a generic quiz might miss the mark.

• Limited customization: No inside jokes or team-specific references. You’ll have to keep Steve’s love for rubber ducks out of it.

Custom Quizzes:

Pros:

• Perfect fit for your team-building goal (whether that’s bonding, problem-solving, or just having fun)

• Flexible (we can adapt it to your team’s specific needs or culture)

• Higher engagement (nothing gets people talking like a custom quiz that hits close to home)

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Cons:

• More costly (but think of it as an investment in team happiness)

• Takes more time: You can’t just pick it up off the shelf—you’ll need to factor in planning, brainstorming, and a bit of back-and-forth.

• Requires clear objectives: If you’re not sure what you want to achieve, customizing can feel like trying to hit a moving target.

Common Misconceptions

Myth #1: "Custom quizzes are way too expensive!"

Sure, your manager might think that, but let’s get real. How much did you actually spend on your last pizza party?

The truth is, not all custom quizzes will cost you a fortune. It all depends on how well you can balance your wants with your needs, and let’s not forget—good negotiation skills can go a long way. Also, pizza isn’t the only way to a team’s heart!

Myth #2: "We can make up our own quiz!"

Well, yes, technically you could.
But if your version of “general knowledge” involves obscure facts from that one sci-fi movie no one’s seen, we’ve got a problem.

Creating a good quiz is harder than it looks. It takes years of experience (and a few face-palms) to master the art of fun, engaging, and truly general knowledge questions.

Otherwise, you risk half your team staring blankly while wondering if they can sneak out for an early coffee break.

Myth #3: "Off-the-shelf quizzes are boring."

Not so fast! Just because it’s pre-made doesn’t mean it’s predictable.

Our off-the-shelf quizzes are designed to be diverse and engaging, mixing up rounds to challenge different parts of the brain. And let’s be honest, by the end of the quiz, you’ll have your team out of their seats, getting just a little bit out of their comfort zones.

Plus, there’s always an interactive round to keep things lively!

Examples on When to Choose Custom v.s. Off-The-Shelf Quiz Games

Example 1: The Magic of Custom Quiz Games

Imagine your team just completed a huge project, and you want to celebrate while also reinforcing some key lessons learned.

A custom quiz could feature inside jokes, team-specific references, and questions designed to spark discussions about the project’s success.

By the end of the quiz, not only will everyone be laughing, but they’ll be reflecting on their recent triumphs too.

Example 2: Off-the-Shelf Hero

On the flip side, it’s the end of a long week, and you just need something quick and fun for your team’s Friday afternoon wind-down.

An off-the-shelf Music Quiz could be exactly what you need. It’s light, it’s fun, and no one has to think too hard—perfect for an informal bonding session.

Conclusion: Which Quiz is Right for Your Team?

Whether you go custom or off-the-shelf, both types of quizzes can elevate your next team-building event. Custom quizzes offer that personal touch for teams with specific goals, while off-the-shelf quizzes provide a quick and easy solution for when you just need something fun, fast.

The bottom line? Both have their place, and it all depends on what you're looking to achieve.

So, which one will you choose?

Time to Choose