I am working on a presentation about Team building and would like your contribution...
Sylvie EdwardsProfessor/Program coordinator| Durham College (DC)Whitby, Ontario, Canada
Can you tell me what your on the cheap best tricks to team building are and why they have worked so well with your team (s)?
Really appreciate the help... Will provide quote in the presentation to anyone who comes up with great ones that I have not seen, heard or read of before. Saving Changes...
Imran ManirSenior Project ManagerBurton On Trent, United Kingdom
The extent to which teambuilding has been effective will need to be measured against whether the purpose has been met. Unfortunately, very rarely are measures put in place to determine the effectiveness of teambuilding in a organisation. The best cheap tricks cannot be a "one-off" teambuilding event as team building is about changing behaviours. This is something that is learned over time. We cannot rely on teambuilding tricks alone but must support this through better communication, team social events, role reversals, secondments etc as part of a wider strategy of promoting team buildng as a core value of the business. Saving Changes...
Jeff ArmstrongAgile Programme & Portfolio Consultant| business-docs.co.ukLondon, United Kingdom
Organise a trip to the pub with your team, and have an informal workshop.
Bring 2 notepads + pens to pass around during the time out:
1) ideas - "on a new page, write your name and record any innovation, process improvement or problem-solving ideas"
2) issues - "on a new page write your name down issues - what's wrong with the job/team/org"
Then bring the books along to the team meet, and whip through them. Can be hilarious, but is generally a good sharing exercise, and brings out issues. You can sensor/anonomise any sensitive items.
Keep the books, and bring them to subsequent team meetings/pub visits.
This has always worked well for me, and can serve as a way to include team ideas, and track your team improvements.
Saving Changes...
There is the corporate events and there is the social events!
Corporate events are planned in advanced and these may include games, presentations, speeches and so on - are these fun! well depends on the games but most of the time your employees will be restricted and seated down... I know the feeling very well. Tiring day and inspired well not always.. it is mandatory.
On the other hand the social events are much better, these can be fun and ideal for smaller groups of people - it could be an outing to the theatre play and then pizza, or a zoo day watching the animals is inspiring! or going to the races a little flutter is exciting [we did this one year went to the Royal Ascot unforgettable day, fun and laughter] the list is endless to choose from the aim is to have fun with your team, feel happy cause happiness brings out the best in people and there is always something nice to chat about the following day apart from work issues.
Team building at its best it is when your people feel appreciated, that their contribution adds value this is very key, if not no team building exercise will make them happy to work for you!.
Saving Changes...
Hi Sylvie
I am not sure you are approaching this the right way. There are not really any "tricks" to team building. In my experience it is all about getting to know and understand the people you are working with. A couple of teams I have been involved in have used humour to help this process with weekly "worst/funniest comments" awards. This at least ensures the team listen to each other and can be immensely funny, especially when the comments are taken out of context! Of course humour can be cruel so some moderation may be required to ensure everyone's sensibilities are taken into account.
Regards Julie Saving Changes...
Elizabeth HarrinDirector| RebelsGuideToPM.comLondon, England, United Kingdom
One of the best team building events I helped organise was getting in our local Red Cross first aid team and staging a massive incident at a pub. It was part treasure hunt, part first aid training, and we even got some techniques like using radios for communication and the phonetic alphabet in there too. It was very cheap to do, good fun, although a lot of preparation. It ended with a debrief and a meal if I remember rightly.
Think about what you want to get out of the team building - and that will help decide the right mix of 'management speak' and fun activities, although senior execs may expect a degree of management theory and debriefing sessions as part of their investment in 'official' team building activities. Saving Changes...
Hans RobbersSenior Director| SalesforceVlissingen, Netherlands
Sylvie
To start I do agree with Julie there are no tricks, you don't train dogs. Secondly your team is your most important asset to get the proejct done and looking for cheap is even worse as the word trick
Working relationships are built on trust. Your leadership can be based on one of these pilars (or a combination of course)
- power
You are the boss so they will do what you tell
the results there will be a behavior you expect not nessarily what is required and they will play their trick
- knowledge
You know all the details and tell them to particular parts Again they perform tricks they way you want and you spent huge amounts of times keeping the team going
- Empathy
the team is willing to work for you and going the extra mile since you are taking care of them and are interested in their needs. This will all start with trust
Trust is something what comes by foot and goes by horse so you need to build it and take the time
Please do not refer to cheap tricks any more (unless you like the band)
There are "Ice Breaking games". Talk to you HR people and conduct some ice breaking games for your team. You will definitely see the result! Its proven HR technique!
Best Regards,
Vivekanandan M Saving Changes...
Sylvie EdwardsProfessor/Program coordinator| Durham College (DC)Whitby, Ontario, Canada
Okay some of you misunderstood what I am looking for.
I know that my team is the most important asset. So let me rephrase what I am looking for.
What are some of the best ways that you have found to motivate, engage and make your team "gel" during these though economic times when your budgets are being slashed right left and center?
It is some what different now! if we are talking about economic downturns and budgets being slashed! well that is an organisational issue, company wide - as long as employees understand the reasoning of the budget cuts and how are these likely to impact on them as individuals the motivation perhaps just might continue.. but don't bank on it !... they will stay in jobs because of no other choice.. Saving Changes...
Hans RobbersSenior Director| SalesforceVlissingen, Netherlands
Sylvie
Thanks for the additional remark. I do think you need to build trust as mention before which is the gel to smooth the team.
A recent study showed that when someone is a bit down and a couple of collegues start laughing, open and honest, this will brighten up the person.
So instead of sitting in the canteen during lunch hour take the team out after lunch for a walk, which is healthy, and bonding and during the walk start spontaneous laughing.
Sound silly but I experienced effect when people start laughing at the radio and you must start smiling as well
