In your company, are you responsible for booking venues, facilities, restaurants and organizing transportation for meetings and events?
There is No "I" in Team
Team-building events are often the most difficult to plan and execute because of the emotionally charged subjects that are addressed. It is often hard to know what will bring a group together and what will tear them apart. Whether you’re planning a one-day affair or a multi-activity master class, the following tips will ensure that your team-building event goes off without a hitch.

DETERMINE EXPECTATIONS
It is essential that meeting planners clearly understand the goals and challenges that the group is experiencing in the workplace. Once you have established the intent of the event, then you can begin to determine what kind of activities will accomplish the client’s objectives. Meeting planners must also make certain that the expectations of the client are realistic and nurturing to the group environment.

PLAY THE NUMBERS GAME
Team is a word used in almost every setting where people interact as part of a group, but team-building activities are not normally conducive to groups of six or less. While many small groups do engage in team-building, the depth of activity and goals of the event are usually very different. Groups that consist of 10 to 20 people allow members to contribute, but also take the pressure of the spotlight off of an individual. Groups of less than 10 tend to make people feel self-conscious and groups of more than 20 allow people to fall through the cracks.

A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE
The most important aspect of any team-building experience is for participants to have a positive experience. Team-building should be fun and enjoyable and offer participants a unique perspective on group dynamics.

GAUGE SUCCESS
It is practically impossible to measure the results of a team-building event until the group gets back to the office. However, the attitude of the participants and the immediate feedback that you receive after the activity should be a good indicator of the overall success of the affair. It is essential that meeting planners attempt to gauge the overall effectiveness of the team-building exercise to determine future agendas.

FOLLOW-UP
After planning and executing a team-building event, it is essential to follow-up with the participants. This can be accomplished by mailing or e-mailing a questionnaire to each member of the organization or by contacting the executive team to determine any changes in staff interactions. Feedback will help you coordinate more efficient activities and keep clients coming back for more!

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