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| Team Challenges |
| ...and it's only a coconut! |
Team Building
(Copy article for Business MK, March 2005)
Team building events come in so many guises – outward-bound, treasures hunts, business games…. It’s understandable that you start to perspire when the invitation hits your desk, wondering what’s involved.
Fewer companies now send employees on the all-embracing outward-bound courses with abseiling down mountains, building rope bridges to cross rivers, sleeping out in all weathers having to source and cook their own food. Yes they are still used to test the tenacity and potential of key personnel but not to the extent they were 10 years ago.
TV reality shows such as “Get Me Out of Here…” have increased the interest but who in reality would want to experience eating a Witchetty Grub? Team challenges have in general become more subtle; often with an entertainment value, but still taking people out of their comfort zones within a controlled and safe environment. You may be asked to put your hand inside a box containing something round and hairy – it’s amazing how your imagination takes over – don’t worry its probably only a coconut!
In the current business environment the one guarantee is change. Changes resulting from mergers or take-overs requires new teams to be created. Being away from your normal workplace allows you to get to know your colleagues. Often it can be the quietest person who surprises everyone and comes up with the answers to the challenge.
Communication
For everyone to get the most from these events its paramount the organiser works closely with the client from the outset to understand the corporate aims. To improve effective communication this can require specific tasks to get the participants thinking about their actions and impact on others. Or, for greater understanding of the changed approach and culture of the new organisation, tasks to earn items that culminate in the vision or mission statement – bit cheesy maybe, but at times cheesy works!
Getting completely wet either through water tasks or simply the weather brings a different dimension – those cagoules are a good leveller, not a fashion statement at all!
As far as conferences go, “Ice breakers” and “Energisers” are frequently used to get the meeting off to a good start, or to lift the flat time after lunch. Drumming is an excellent energiser and is ideal for long events where you need to keep participants engaged, or to break up a long day. Small groups rapidly create a piece of music together in a very short time delivery a strong sense of group and personal achievement.
(Article for Business MK, March 05)
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| Key Points |
- understand the purpose of the team build event, if its for fun - keep it fun
- if it's to build a team make certain people know why
- it can be the quietest person who surprises everyone and comes up with the answers to the challenge
- in the current business environment the one guarantee is change
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