Author: Michael

Playing games are a great way to get your group active, loosened up, or just break up an afternoon class.  Here is a list of small group games that work well with groups of less than 10 people. Steeple Chase A mock race around an imaginary horse race track, good for kids and younger groups. 4+ people. Instructions for Steeple Chase Use the Chair as a Prop A fun improv-type game where one group member uses a chair (or other item) as a prop to act out an activity and other members call out their guesses. 4+ people. Instructions for Use…

When you’re starting a new company, your main concerns are growing your business and becoming profitable. Conducting a team building session is not likely to be a top priority. It may be too expensive, too time-consuming or something that you consider unnecessary. However, your employees are an important component of your business, and having a strong team can mean the difference between success and failure. Here’s why new companies should use team building activities: To help you hire the right people Hiring the right people is one of the biggest concerns for new companies. One way to assess candidates is…

There are thousands of books out there on personal development, leadership and how to achieve business success. It can tiresome to wade through reviews to figure out which ones are worth your time. Here we share our Top 30 leadership books of the last 30 years, why you should read them, and a powerful quote from each book. 1. The 5 Levels of Leadership: Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential by John C. Maxwell (2013) “At any level, a leader doesn’t automatically stay at that level. You must earn your level of leadership with each person, and that level can…

Team building retreats can be an incredibly powerful way to increase your workforce’s camaraderie, develop more productive relationships, and improve levels of communication and cooperation. However, to ensure your team building retreat is effective, it’s essential to plan it carefully – otherwise, it can quickly turn into an unproductive offsite meeting. And we all know how much fun unwanted meetings are… In this guide, we’ll explain exactly why and how to plan a successful team-building retreat for your business. You will learn: Why you should plan a team building retreat How to plan and prepare a successful retreat or outing How…

Are you doing performance reviews with your employees on a regular basis?  If not, you should be. Appraisals help the employee — and consequently, the company — grow. Their purpose is to motivate, mentor, and encourage development; to help employees realize their strengths and weaknesses; and to set goals for the future. Below is a free printable template that you can use for an employee appraisal. How use this document to do an employee appraisal: step by step instructions Download the template here: Right click and ‘save as’ Change the Categories to specific skills applicable to your employee’s job (for example: communication, quality of work, quantity of…

Globalization has brought us many diverse opportunities, such as the chance to work overseas or in a multicultural environment. And while the benefits of global ideas and perspectives are essential, building and keeping up the spirit of a cross-cultural team can be a tricky task. Here are two great warm-up activities to create and set a positive mood for cross-cultural communication. Warm Up Game: “Animal Family” This is an easy game to help form groups, played at the beginning of the training to set a relaxed mood and deliver an initial message. Time: 15 mins Preparation: Write down members of…

Here’s a question to think about: How much are business books actually worth? I would argue that often they’re worth a whole lot more than the sticker price. Think about it this way: you can read a book for a few bucks, but the knowledge you gain may save you time, make you money and even skyrocket your career. Isn’t that amazing? Don’t take my word for it. Here’s Seth Godin: “A book is a bargain, still. A screaming bargain. You pay $15, $20, and you could have something that might change your life. You have something that reminds you, 20 years…