| Are you planning a team event? If you are here are | | | | to what works and what doesn't. Make sure that |
| some of the things you need to think about. | | | | your event is suitable for the size of your group. |
| 1. What do you want to achieve? When arranging an | | | | 5. How adventurous are your team? There are vast |
| event it is important to ensure that you are clear | | | | number of different types of team building events |
| about your aims and objectives for the event. Is it | | | | available now, so you don't need to run outdoor |
| an event where you want the team to get to know | | | | activities if indoor ones are more suited to your |
| each other better and have some fun? Is that your | | | | team, or the weather! Climbing mountains maybe the |
| sole objective? Or do you want something more? If | | | | right answer for some, but not all. And indoor events |
| it is something more what are the desired outcomes | | | | need to be equally carefully considered. Whilst some |
| you have for the event? And how are you going to | | | | people love music and drama others may prefer |
| measure if the event has been successful? All of | | | | cooking or painting. Remember that it is not always |
| these are questions you need to ask before you can | | | | possible to please everyone in the group, but a |
| decide on the type of event that you are going to | | | | general consensus is helpful. Always bear in mind |
| arrange. If you are not sure, talk it through with your | | | | however, that any experience outside the norm may |
| facilitator and event organiser to help you to clarify | | | | make some people uncomfortable - after all that is |
| the intentions. | | | | how we learn and grow as people. |
| 2. How long have you got available? Realistically there | | | | 6. Choose professional facilitation. A professional |
| is only so much you can achieve in an afternoon or | | | | facilitator will not only ensure that the day runs as |
| even a full day. So don't set your ambitions too high, | | | | smoothly as possible, but will also add to the |
| but make sure they are realistic and practical. | | | | experience by bring his/her knowledge to the event. |
| Remember that if you are not holding an event on | | | | Good team events include good set-up and |
| site (which is always the best option) you may need | | | | de-briefing by a professional facilitator. If you are not |
| to allow etc travel time. In fact, why not make the | | | | sure who to choose ask for recommendations from |
| travel part of the day and book a coach or mini bus | | | | others. |
| to pick everyone up? | | | | 7. Follow up after the event. Make sure that you and |
| 3. Budget. Whilst money may not be your main | | | | your team take on any learning points from the day |
| concern, everyone wants to feel that they have got | | | | and start to work them into your daily routine |
| value for money. When organising your event, make | | | | wherever possible. This might be a different way of |
| sure your event organiser has a realistic | | | | working together or recognition of someone's skills |
| understanding about your budget and be prepared to | | | | that were not appreciated before. Whatever it is, |
| discuss it with them. Good professional organisers will | | | | make sure that the team event Is part of an |
| not try and sell you something you can't afford and | | | | ongoing process in your organisation. Not a one off |
| will help you to maximise your budget to get the | | | | jolly! |
| best possible event. | | | | Team events should be productive, energetic and |
| 4. Number of people. The number of people you | | | | fun. Make sure yours gets your team fired up and |
| have coming to the event can make a big difference | | | | enthusiastic! |