The concept: David Jacobson was hosting trivia competitions in New York area bars as a side project in 2008 when the economy caved in and companies began cutting staff and asking those who were left to tackle more. “They couldn’t reward workers financially, but I knew from my experience as a bar trivia host how engaging it is. He launched TrivWorks in 2009 and marketed it as a corporate entertainment and team building experience specializing in live, fully customized trivia events. Jacobson does his homework with corporate clients, learning their culture, corporate history and some interests of their employees, and then develops trivia competitions that incorporate what he learns. He brings the trivia contest to offsites and often packages it with comedy, magic or musical improv.
Why it works: “All groups love competition at different levels. It taps into something,” Jacobson says. “What these events do more than anything is get people to laugh and let their hair down, and not take each other so seriously. When groups go back to the office, they feel like they really shared something positive together.” TrivWorks.com
