Last but not least: Killing the boss, strengthening the team

A new trend is currently beginning to emerge in the USA: More and more companies are turning to multiplayer online games to combat communication deficits and strengthen team spirit. Senior management is also participating extensively in the virtual battles between employees, helping to break down fears of contact between management and staff. First-person shooter games are particularly popular. "During gaming sessions, the company hierarchy loses its validity and individual skill is the only thing that counts," Ross O'Dwyer, Head of Professional Services at US software company Havok, is quoted as saying on Pressetext.ch. This is precisely what is important, as the "walls" that exist in reality between employees and management can be torn down very quickly. Staff also see this as a welcome opportunity to reduce their own stress levels. "You don't usually have the opportunity to shoot your own boss very often. It gives you a good feeling," says one of the employees. Whether this trend will make it to Europe remains to be seen. Perhaps the company outing will soon be a thing of the past - why travel far and wide when the team can be strengthened by a few well-aimed shots from the comfort of the computer...