The technique of team building has actually been used for quite a while in the corporate world and the only thing that has changed about it is the way it has evolved, particularly when involving team building activities. Some companies will hold huge corporate days to build relations with clients and internal team activities these days can also mean competitive sports and fun events.

However, there are more cynical people that feel these events should not be fun and are there to fulfill a work need, therefore should be work focused only.  In some industries in particular, team building events have faded away completely.            
          
For managers who prefer to do the team building strategies themselves, here are a couple of tips:

The office furniture needs to be laid out in the correct way. Something as small as this can have a psychological effect on people in the office.  Office desks need to be roomy and close enough to best use the space but not close enough for co-workers to interrupt each other.

When you consider your own positioning in the room, try and place your office desk away from the staff but in a good position to observe them and also the central point when the door opens. If this is your department you need your office desk in full view of the internal door to the office.

Try and include the group as a whole when making decisions.

Treat every staff member in the same way. If you have issues with one of them discuss them in private and do not show anger openly.