Breaking the Ice, One Beat at a Time 

Taal Inc. X ISB Alumni Association (Pune Chapter). Networking event. 

What’s the first image that pops into your head when you think of networking event activities? Let me guess: a slightly stiff room, clinking glasses, awkward small talk, and a stack of crisp business cards exchanged with the usual, “So, what do you do?” It’s a format we’re all familiar with. It works, sure, but it can feel a little… Ahem…; functional.

When the ISB Alumni Association (Pune Chapter) reached out to plan their recent meet-up, they wanted something fundamentally different from the usual team building activities in Pune. Thanks to Kavita Narayanan from the amazing Trelish Coffee that we all know and love for making this wonderful association happen. They wanted an atmosphere that was relaxed, authentic, and genuinely engaging. They wanted their alumni to let their guard down, reconnect, and bond on a deeper level. As with the best alumni networking events, they wanted meaningful connections rather than just formal introductions. And they also wanted to have a proper party thereafter. In short: they were very clear about what they wanted!

So, we did what we do best. We threw out the standard networking script and handed everyone a djembe instead, transforming the gathering into one of the most engaging team bonding activities of the evening.

Finding Harmony in High-Energy Beats

The setting was gorgeous. We helped them connect with Oasis (a favourite venue of ours). We drummed by a poolside rooftop under the evening sky, a perfect setup to unwind and create one of those truly interactive corporate events that people remember. But as the alumni took their seats in a large, sweeping circle, there was that familiar, quiet expectation hanging in the air. People were settled into their comfortable friend groups or politely chatting with the person next to them.

Then, the drumming began.

We started simple. A basic heartbeat rhythm to get everyone in sync. At first, you could see a few hesitant smiles and self-conscious glances. “Am I doing this right?” is a question I see on people’s faces all the time. But the magic of a group drumming session is that there is no ‘wrong.’ There’s only the shared pulse of the room. That’s why sessions like these work so well as employee engagement workshops they create participation without pressure and connection without awkwardness.

Within a few minutes, the hesitation melted away. We introduced call-and-response games, layered rhythms, and collective claps. The volume rose, the tempo picked up, and the entire energy of the space shifted. What started as a networking gathering quickly evolved into one of those memorable leadership development activities where participants learned to listen, collaborate, and lead through rhythm. Check out the absolute joy and synchronization in the room here

Why Drumming is the Ultimate Business Tool

It might look like pure, unadulterated fun from the outside (and trust me, it is!), but beneath the surface, a Taal Inc. corporate drum circle is a powerful arts based and experiential learning activity. For a group of high-achieving management alumni, it serves as an immediate equalizer and a masterclass in collaboration. Unlike many traditional networking event activities, this experience allowed participants to move beyond conversations and connect through shared action. They all have heard of team work and team building. But here they got to experience it first hand.

Breaking the Corporate Ice: In a drum circle, titles, hierarchies, and designations don’t exist. It doesn’t matter if you’re a recent grad or a seasoned C-suite executive; everyone is holding the same instrument and contributing to the same groove. This is what makes drum circles so effective for alumni networking events, where meaningful connections matter far more than job titles or professional status.

The Power of Entrainment: In psychology and physics, ‘entrainment’ is the process where independent fluctuating methods fall into a shared rhythm. When a group drums together, their brainwaves and heart rates physically sync up. It moves a crowd from a collection of individuals to a cohesive, unified team. This is one of the reasons drum circles are such effective team bonding activities. So we all end up playing the same rhythm (at least for a short while) before continuing and drumming in our own way.

Active Listening: To make a drum circle sound good, you can’t just smash your drum as loud as you can. Thanks to the facilitators, you are guided to listen to the people to your left, your right, and across the room. It’s an exercise in supporting each other’s voices to build a grander, collective sound. This focus on participation and collaboration is what makes drum circles stand out among interactive corporate events.

Come. Drum. Be One.

By the end of the evening, the transformation was undeniable. The stiffness of a formal corporate gathering was completely replaced by loud laughter, high-fives, and a deep sense of camaraderie. The rhythm didn’t just fill the air, it connected every single person in that circle. It’s the kind of outcome that makes employee engagement workshops so impactful. And that’s exactly the feeling that I wanted to help the group feel.

The night wrapped up with the whole group standing together, drums held high, shouting out a final, triumphant cheer. They didn’t just exchange LinkedIn profiles; they shared an unforgettable, high-octane experience that also reflected the spirit of effective leadership development activities.

A massive thank you to the ISB Alumni Association Pune Chapter for trusting us with their evening and bringing such incredible energy to the circle.

Are you looking to breathe new life into your next corporate event, alumni meet, or team-building retreat? Let’s ditch the PowerPoints and discover a more engaging approach to networking event activities while finding your team’s inner rhythm.

Come. Drum. Be One.
Varun Venkit 
Taal Inc.