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Put Teambuilding Front and Center at Your Conference

teambuilding, teamwork, Mulligan Management Group Stow Ohio

Many event organizers think about teambuilding as an add-on function. One that fills a gap in the schedule or can be completed in attendees' free time (i.e., paintball or rock climbing).

But truth be told, the right teambuilder can help build relationships, trust, and cohesiveness among participants, especially if they don't know each other well or there's already tension between them. The key to success is introducing the team theme when attendees arrive and keeping it alive until the meeting concludes.

So, how do you do this? Here is a suggested roadmap to success from teambuilding experts John Chen from Geoteaming, Brandi Tice from Play with a Purpose, and Larry Lipman from Fun Team Building.

 

Start with Structure

When attendees register, ask them questions and gather their profiles. Use this data either methodically or randomly to divide them into teams of four to six individuals. Then, color code each person's badge and encourage teammates to stay together throughout the meeting. If you opt for the systematic process, identify individuals who don't know each other or have similar expectations from the event.

 

Mesh in Your Conference Goals

What are your and each attendee's objectives? Which team-building activities will deliver?

For example, Geoteaming focuses on using technology to bring in remote participants, especially when limited time and budgets are restrictive. Play with a Purpose creates customized programs based on your main goal. Finally, Fun Team Building provides corporate programs aligned with solving problems.  

 

Customize Agenda toward Teambuilding

There are four components to developing a solid teambuilding event:

  1. Identifying Event Goals
  2. Establishing a Realistic Budget
  3. Paying Attention to Attendee Learning Styles
  4. Assessing Participant Demographics (age, technology familiarization, profession)

Given this, here are four activities you may consider:

  • Scavenger Hunt – great for building team cohesiveness and competitive spirit. There are mobile phone apps available, or you can provide a list of challenges each team must complete to gain points.
     
  • Paintball – a fun activity just for the sake of it. However, Larry Lipman cautions, "If participants aren't familiar with paintball rules at the end of the exercise, they will feel frustrated. This can accomplish nothing in the team building arena."
     
  • CSR Activity – These feel-good activities allow groups to build or deliver items for the community's common good, such as building bikes for underprivileged children, volunteering at a local food pantry, or donating and wrapping gifts for families in a homeless shelter. The goal, in this case, is giving back.

 

Still not sure teambuilding will deliver for you? Please test it out in a small meeting and poll participants for feedback. If you receive positive feedback that helped move the needle toward a more cohesive team environment, you are onto something. If it isn't well-received, keep testing and trying.

 

Mulligan Management Group is on Your Team

We are based in Stow, Ohio but gladly help small to medium-sized clients up to 300 miles away from us. Call us at 330-472-7673 to learn more about our digital marketing services!

 

 

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