5 Responses

1. Teambuilding activities
   Paul
   You don’t say what the purpose is or how success will be evaluated. I’m wondering whether someone has come up with a ‘solution’ or ‘bright idea’ without first establishing the specific problems, issues or goals.
   Anyway, if you are after a basic intro to designing and running such events you might try Legendary Awaydays and Games for Legendary Awaydays published by Gower.
   My general tips are:
   – avoid too many activities that just make the point that team working or collaboration is a good thing; have a bias towards those activities that help people work together constructively and build those skills.
   – combine creative/fun/energised activities with making the learning explicit and linking it to the workplace; they are not alternatives, it is possible to do both.
   – think carefully about organisation, facilitation and logistics; exclusion, safety, and unhealthy or unproductive behaviours need to be managed.
   – work with the group in planning the event; if no diagnostics have been done then build them into the day; respect that they will be after a feel good factor and also you need to make it is a productive outcome not just a nice one; use experienced facilitators; and take carefully calculated risks, but not with safety.
   Graham

2. teambuilding activities
   Hi Paul,
   I concure with all of the previous comments as a provider of outdoor team building events with over 20 years of experience. I especislly agree with building in time for learning and reflection so it isnt just a jolly in the woods. You dont mention a geographical location. You may want to have a look at the Cotswold Conference Centre if you are able to get your people there. They have a range of outdoor exercises that could easily handle 60 people. I work with them as a facilitator and have designed some of the exercises. If you want to discuss this further off line please contact me on info@stuartgrayassociates.co.uk or 07815070687.

   regards

   Stuart

3. Clarity of objectives combined with good facilitation
   Hi Paul
   In our experience its really useful to get clear about what you want out of the day, Team building can mean all sorts and if you spend a little time clarifying the outcomes you want to achieve the rest is much more straight forward.
   Combine it with good facilitated reviews and your on to a winner.
   We can put you in touch with professional, experienced facilitators if that helps just give us a shout.

4. Specialising in bespoke development for leaders and teams
   Paul

   I would recommend something experiential which has the flexibility to deliver on a number of different fronts ie it can meet your stated learning objectives and the needs of the attendees.

   It should also be able to cater for a diversity of needs both mental and physical to ensure that as many as possible go away feeling they’ve had a really useful and enjoyable day.

   Finally try to ensure that the activities are relevant to the real world of work and that mechanisms are in place to facilitate transfer of learning AND ongoing reinforcement.

   If this all sounds too general and daunting I’d be happy to discuss some of the activities we have delivered to a wide range of audiences particularly in the area of creative problem solving which is one of our specialities. Please see my profile for further details.

   James Smallwood

5. Additional resources for Team Building
   You would perhaps be interested in offering online tutorials in the area of team building to your staff? Please contact me if you would like to preview these tutorials.
   Successful Team Dynamics
   Team Building Trait Secrets I to V.