The corporate rhythm

Today, music is emerging as a new tool to foster employee bonding and team spirit.

Pic: MonkeyBusiness/IndiaPicture

It is a well-acknowledged fact that music knows no boundaries and influences several facets of our lives. Now, India Inc is unleashing the power of music to bring their employees together. Experts say that using music as a medium to encourage team work is gaining wider acceptance in the corporate world. Melissa Thompson, GM, MusoMagic, a firm that conducts employee training programmes through music, explains the power of music as a bonding tool. "When a group works together to create music - something out of nothing – something that they can be proud of, and that they can showcase with joy and passion - the bond that is shared from such an experience is unique. The moment they hear their song – whether it's their ringtone when the phone rings, or when playing the song and video for family and friends – the memories of the experience had when creating that song are immediately evoked when those first notes are heard," adds Thompson. 
How does this power of music help in employee bonding? "Music, as a medium, holds universal appeal and acceptance. And when it comes to fostering relationships at work, even if the group is diverse, music serves to bridge the gap, thus allowing people to connect in a fundamental manner," says Vijay Sinha, senior vice president, marketing, product development & agency Sales Training, Tata-AIG Life Insurance Company Ltd.
Experts say that, music as a tool, for team-building stands apart from several other team-building initiatives. "It is different in every aspect," says Adam Davis, partner, PwC Australia. "It is about building something as a team, something that we could be proud of and look back on, as well as help us continue to build a strong team. It is not about individuals being best at something, although we could discover some hidden talents within our team," adds Davis. "Music is interactive, inclusive and motivating. The engaging experience of creating a property will live on the minds of employees. Each of them will always have the pride of ownership, for each one would have contributed in some way or the other in making a historic company song," feels Sinha.
Music cuts across hierarchies, positions,  ages and genders. Music excites, energises and makes people happy, all at the same time. "The prime motive of any team-building exercise is to infuse some kind of energy among employees that they have never experienced before. Music does just that. It is the most exciting and powerful medium that infuses a lot of positive energy among people and also relaxes them at the same time and thus, increases their productivity," concludes Uma Subramanian, regional manager in Mumbai, MusoMagic.

- - Priya C Nair

The writer can be conatcted at priyac.nair@timesgroup.com