Every city has a unique personality that influences what it offers to both visitors and it’s local workforce. When we opened our office for Chicago team building programs back in 2013, I was convinced that bringing musical programming to the Windy City would be a good fit. It has been a good fit and our Chicago crew has grown steadily along with our client base. I’ve also met other Chicago team building facilitators who do great work, offering everything from trapeze programs to sailing, improv and more. Here’s a guide to some of my favorites. Team Building Favorites Singing the blues and more – Chicago has a rich and dynamic music tradition. It’s the home for urban blues, jazz, and it’s… Read more »
4 Team Building Activities Using Music
I stumbled onto on article on ehow.com about team building activities using music and it made me realize I haven’t yet shared my own ideas and recommendations. Below are team building activities using music that I really like. There are several great activities outside the realm of the programming my company offers. Some of these are do it yourself ideas. Others require bringing in outside musicians with team building expertise. DIY Team Building Activities Using Music Do it yourself ideas are always great because you’re in control of when and where. They are activities you can do whenever you want, without the expenditure of having to bring in experts like me! One simple thing you can do as an icebreaker activity is… Read more »
A Guide to Nashville Team Building Activities
So much has changed since I first wrote this guide to Nashville team building activities back in 2011. So I’m updating it now in order to share what’s new (fall 2017). Nashville, a/k/a Music City, has grown by leaps and bounds. While music based programs will always be cornerstone for Music City, we now have options for almost any time of team program you can think of. But that being said, I think it’s valuable to try and match a city’s personality with the type of program you choose. For example, if you’re in Los Angeles you might want a movie making team experience. In Colorado you might lean toward white water rafting. So it’s apropos to consider exercising… Read more »
Return On Inspiration – The New ROI
Is return on inspiration really a thing? Yes, it’s a powerful thing. It’s a way of re-framing how you think about ROI. Chasing return on inspiration will help you create a more innovative culture within your team and within your company. If you learn about ROInspiration® and take time to integrate this into your work life you’ll see tangible return – the kind you can eventually quantify. I’d Never Heard Of ROI I’ve been a full time musician, pianist and songwriter since I was nineteen years old. I was in my mid-forties before I first heard the term ROI. It wasn’t until I began bringing my interactive musical programs to corporate events that I was confronted with this question from… Read more »
Tips and Advice for Creating Fun Team Building Parties
Who doesn’t love a party? Well, actually some people say they don’t like parties. But in reality, everyone likes parties that they like. Sound like a riddle? If you’re at a party that’s fun for you; if you’re at a place or with a crowd you feel comfortable with, then you’ll have a good time. So yes, you do like parties. You just have to be at the right kind of party for you. Team building parties are the same way. They can be good, bad, happy or sad. Team building parties can make you feel isolated or out of your element. Or they can give you confidence and help you feel a better sense of belonging and camaraderie…. Read more »
Team Building Retreats
Team building retreats are incredibly valuable. I wish they happened more often. I’m going to share some ideas about team building retreats but first; why don’t they happen more often? A retreat implies more than just a couple of hours away from the office. A company retreat should be at least a full day, even longer. Wow! When was the last time you were able to carve an entire day or more out of your team’s busy work schedule? It does seem daunting, near impossible. But I’m here to argue there’s deep, long and satisfying results that come from team building retreats. A company retreat will allow your team to reignite and rediscover their passion for their work and for… Read more »
How To Be Creative
One of the things I most often hear my clients say is, “I don’t know how to be creative. I’d like to be but I don’t know where to start – and I don’t know if I even have it.” Like the it is some magic thing that you’ve either got or you don’t. This reminds me of a very old joke. It’s ancient but still relevant. A visitor to New York City needs directions and he asks a passing musician, “Do you know how to get to Carnegie Hall”. The musician answers, “Practice, practice, practice!” The implication and the truism is that creative competency can be acquired and refined through practice; by applying yourself. This sounds pretty dry and… Read more »
Do Corporate Team Building Events Increase ROI?
I’m so very careful when I talk about the ROI of team building. Metrics are hard to come by. And I’m not one to exaggerate to try to gain new business. But there is ROI from corporate team building on two levels. From my perspective as a life long creative type I know well the value of ROInspiration®. Inspiration boosts engagement and the sense of ownership team members feel for group mission. This opens the door to innovative problem-solving. What To Expect From Your Corporate Team Building Event The first thing you need to determine is what you expect from your corporate team building event. A one day, half day or several hour program won’t change your culture for the… Read more »
Sales Meeting Icebreakers Everyone Can Use
Sales meeting icebreakers can have a dual purpose. First of all, a good icebreaker activity has value in and of itself since it will help build your team’s camaraderie and communication. Additionally, some of the icebreakers you practice internally can become great tools your sales team can use when they meet with new or existing customers. It’s always important to make a quick connection and put a potential customer at ease and effective icebreakers will do this. Sharing common experience and building relationships are vital to establishing customer loyalty so don’t think that icebreakers are for internal use only. Icebreakers Are Easy But Not Just Fluff I’m not a huge fan of the term, icebreaker, because it has connotations of… Read more »
Team Building During A Merger
Team building during a merger is a must. During the course of your usual work year you might argue the tangible benefits of team building. But if you’re involved with a merger or acquisition you need to make time for group work to address the concerns that change brings. One of the concerns with any merger is attrition. Some employees will leave on their own and you may let some go but you won’t want to lose too many of the talented and experienced people you gain when you come together with another organization. No matter how much lip service you pay to reassuring your workforce that everything’s gonna be alright, there will be uncertainty and fear. You must provide… Read more »
Group Music Activities That Drive Results and ROI
Are group music activities worthwhile for business groups or teams? If I say yes, can I prove it? These are questions I’m sometimes asked by potential clients who want to focus on ROI when considering a music team building activity. I think that bringing music to your work team is a must. Group music activities are worthwhile and they do yield ROI. You may have to re-frame your concept of return just a bit. And I’ll help you do that after we talk about the reasons musical programs are so valuable for corporate groups. Music Activities Hit Home Think of the wonderful cliches we use everyday that revolve around music. Need a ‘tune-up’, working in ‘harmony’, not the same ole ‘song’ and dance…. Read more »
