We
are twelve years old in 2009 and we continue to help our clients
develop in fun, informative and productive ways, from developing
teams and individuals to coaching organisations through changing
times.
But when economic storm clouds gather…
In this economic downturn it’s understandable that companies
are looking to make cutbacks, and for many firms the development
and team building budgets are prime targets. But if anything developing
people and teams is even more valuable in a downturn. It’s
crucial to keep your staff at the top of their game – highly
trained, knowledgeable and effective. Team building is not just
about improving your team’s capabilities, it’s about
increasing motivation and morale too, which are traditionally
in short supply in turbulent times.
The
bottom line…
We think that it’s vital that any money spent in this area
should produce a return on investment in two ways:
1.
It should raise moral and be a lot of fun
2.
People should do things better as a result. It is simply an investment,
not a cost. And Team Building Activities build opportunities for
learning into our fun-days and do this really well.
The
Science bit…
We work with you to be clear and specific about your outcomes and
work back from there to develop a subtle mix of theory and fun tasks
that generate an environment for learning to take place.
The
four approaches we use work in slightly different ways.
1.
Personality-Based Teambuilding
People get information about themselves that they may not know,
and in the process sharing that with their team, people begin to
understand why colleagues operate in the way they do. Using a series
of fun team exercises we look at how these differences affect the
team, and we examine potential opportunities for improvement.
Focus: Self - potential blind spots. Team - Improved
relationships, communication and team function
2.
Activity-Based Teambuilding
Success leaves clues – the team take part in challenging but
fun task in a safe learning environment. We examine the skills that
either allowed the team to succeed, or get in the way of that success.
In review we examine how these skills and their approach can be
transferred back to the workplace.
Focus: Individual – my impact on others,
improved relationships. Team – implicit and explicit ways
for improving teamwork
3.
Skills-Based Teambuilding
One team, one direction – Within this team process participants
develop practical work based skills and know-how enabling them to
be effective in the team (e.g. giving and receiving feedback, communication
skills, managing effective meeting etc.), and have a practical,
positive experience of using them.
The benefit of this approach is three fold: 1. The team leave with
the skills they need to raise the bar, 2. They have a clear understanding
of what is needed and expected of them, and 3. The team develop
trust and bond as a unit behind a common goal
Focus: Individuals & team understand the mission,
vision and direction and develop the trust and engagement to move
forward as a unit. (Intellectual alignment, emotional engagement)
4. Problem solving-Based Teambuilding
This is aimed at teams that are dysfunctional and have developed
blocks and barriers to performance. By taking part in challenging
team problem solving activities, the facilitator works with the
team to help the group identify and break through the various barriers
to team effectiveness and performance.
Focus: Individual – re-establish relationships
and understand differing perspectives. Team – overcoming limiting
beliefs, break pattern of negative behaviour. Establish best practice.
We believe that the effectiveness of any organisation depends on
the quality of its relationships and we think it’s important
to work in partnership with our clients in order to deliver a 1st
class service.
I
welcome the opportunity to answer any questions you may have. I
look forward to speaking with you in the near future.
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