You know that feeling when you're in a room full of colleagues, and suddenly, everyone's on the same wavelength? This summer, Computacenter teams across Europe experienced just that—but not through the usual team-building exercises you'd expect. Instead, they found this groove with beatboxing, thanks to the incredible Danny Ladwa from School of Beatbox.
A Beatboxing Adventure Across Europe
Imagine walking into a conference room in Cologne, Paris, St Albans, or Budapest, expecting another routine finance meeting. But then, you're introduced to a "professor" who promises something entirely different. That's exactly what happened when Keith Mortimer, Head of Commercial Finance at
Computacenter, introduced Danny at each event during their finance conference roadshow.
Danny wasn't there to lecture on numbers or spreadsheets. He was there to get everyone making music—with nothing but their voices.
Level Playing Field
One of the brilliant things about beatboxing is that it doesn't matter if you're a seasoned musician or someone who's never sung a note in your life. When it comes to making beats with your mouth, everyone starts from the same place. It's a great equaliser.
Danny kicked off each session by teaching the beatbox basics. From the classic "boots and cats" to more intricate sounds, he had everyone trying out new techniques. There was laughter, some awkward noises, and within 40 minutes there were a room full of people beatboxing, singing and making vocal scratch sounds together.
The Magic of Shared Experience
There's something special about stepping out of your comfort zone with others. As Danny led the teams through vocal exercises and beatbox challenges, barriers started to break down. People who might not have interacted much before were now collaborating to make the collective sound, better.
Each location had its own unique vibe and energy. Some groups were both-feet-in from the beginning while other groups had more of a steady start but peaked higher. Danny adapted to each crowd, playing off their energy and guiding them towards a grand finale to remember.
Footage from the UK event with Computacenter
Danny's Crowd Control Expertise
Handling a crowd of professionals can be tricky, but Danny's expertise shone through. He had a knack for reading the room—knowing when to ramp up the energy and when to let the group settle in to the activity. His relaxed approach put everyone at ease, making it easy for people to let loose and enjoy themselves.
By the time the grand finale rolled around—a full-on vocal orchestra—you could feel the camaraderie in the air. Everyone was contributing, listening to each other, and most importantly, having fun.
More Than Just Fun and Games
While the main goal was for the teams to "have fun," "let loose," and "enjoy themselves," the benefits went deeper. Beatboxing as a
team-building activity reinforces essential skills:
Communication: You have to listen to each other to stay in sync.
Collaboration: Creating a sound that is truly cohesive requires teamwork.
Creativity: Everyone gets a chance to bring their unique flair to the mix.
Confidence: Leaving your inhibitions at the door and "diving into every sound", as Danny says is key to learning this artform.
The Aftermath: Smiles All Around
As each session wrapped up, the rooms were filled with ear-to-ear smiles. Colleagues were buzzing about their newfound beatboxing skills (or humorous attempts at them). The shared experience created a memorable highlight of the finance conference roadshow.
People left not just with a fun story to tell, but with a stronger connection to their teammates. It’s amazing how making silly sounds together can lead to a more cohesive and engaged team.
There were some funny conversations between Danny and translators working in tandem with the conference speakers. Danny asked "How did you translate this part" as he launches full throttle in a bass heavy dubstep beatbox rhythm.
Why Beatboxing Hits the Right Note for Team Building
Traditional team-building activities have their place, but sometimes you need something different to really bring people together. Beatboxing fits the bill for several reasons:
Inclusivity: No special talents or prior experience needed.
Engagement: It's interactive and keeps the whole group fully involved, every step of the way.
Breaking Down Barriers: Encourages people to step out of their usual roles.
Instant Gratification: You can create music right away, which is incredibly satisfying.
A Shoutout to School of Beatbox
For those who might not know, School of Beatbox is Danny Ladwa's brainchild. He's not just a fantastic beatboxer but also a passionate facilitator who knows how to bring out the best in people. His sessions are less about perfecting the art form and more about enjoying the process and connecting with others.
Final Thoughts
Looking back on the summer's events, it's clear that beatboxing was more than just a fun diversion for Computacenter's teams. It was a unique way to bring people together, break down barriers, and create lasting memories.
So, if you're ever pondering how to shake up your next team event, consider taking a page out of Computacenter's book. Grab a beatboxer like Danny, and let the rhythm work its magic. Who knows? You might just find your team humming a new tune—together.
Get in touch with School of Beatbox today to discuss how you can bring the power of beatboxing to your next event.
Photo of Danny Ladwa on his coffee break before UK Event.
Photo credit: Antonio Pagano
