by Rosita Carobelli-Zukowski, All in Place Communications and Event Planning

A new year brings new challenges. Now more than ever, it’s important to challenge oneself. Whether it’s on your own or in a team setting, pushing oneself is critical to self-development. The dictionary definition of motivation is ‘the desire to do; an interest or drive’. I don’t know why, but people tend to push themselves more within a team-setting and tend to have more fun as a result.

In one of my previous marketing and event planning work experiences, I was responsible for organizing an annual sales meeting for a sales force of 35+ salesmen, senior and middle management and corporate guests. Each year, as a team of 3-4, we would collaborate together in planning the logistics of the sales meeting, especially the fun part, evening activities. After full days of discussing important matters, it was just as important for all the attendees to unwind and socialize together. From bowling to go-karting, each team pulled together, with each team member contributing their own individual strengths. All done in fun, the element of friendly-competition brings out the best in everyone (most of the time!)

Other team-building activities that come to mind include paintball, dodge ball or basketball tournaments, chili or hot soup cook-offs, or even cooking classes – how does learning to marinate the best steak in town sound to you? Any one of these can bring team players together when working towards a final goal. It is just as important to stimulate any team out of the office as well as within the corporate boardroom.

Share this:

by Ed Graziano, Corporate Event Interactive

There are many decisions for a planner to make when hosting a team program for a company meeting or retreat. These decisions include selecting the right teambuilding company or facilitator, finding the right venue, deciding on the best program activity and understanding what participants should “walk away with”; such as making new connections, or better understanding everyone’s role within the team.

Often lost in this process is deciding if a program should be run competitively or non-competitively. It is a misconception to think that a competitive group will only do well within a competitive environment. These groups actually are often the ones that would benefit the most from an opportunity to work together on an activity or project run non-competitively, where the entire group wins by participating. The insight that a team’s collaborative efforts helps the entire group succeed is often more valuable than knowing their team can “beat” other teams in a particular challenge.
(more…)

Share this:

by Susan Cain, Ed.D., Corporate Learning Institute

This is a year of difficulty for many corporations and organizations. Fun is in short supply. The heady days of the 90’s are long gone. Many organizations are rethinking their strategy and approach to business. The need to sustain human energy, inspiration, and persistence are critical needs. The solution is often overlooked, and appears to be too simple to be true. Reintroducing fun, creativity, and innovation into the workplace is the answer. (more…)

Share this: