Many teambuilding events can feel more like a yearly visit to the dentist… nobody really wants to go, the experience can be rather miserable, and participants are frequently relieved when it’s over.

Here are a few tips for planning an event your team will look forward to attending:

• Choose a neutral facilitator. By not putting the boss in charge, you can often level the playing field and receive more interaction.

• Select a creative location off-site. While hotels and conference centers are traditional locations, you may want to consider creative alternatives such as coffee shops, outdoor parks, or museums.

• Plan with purpose. Define specific goals that you want to accomplish, and develop a guide for achieving them. Allow plenty of time for each objective—overloading your agenda can cause stress for everyone involved.

• Reduce unrealistic expectations. While you may have a list of 20 topics you would like to cover, select a small handful of objectives that can be thoroughly discussed in the time allowed. Take advantage of this opportunity to fully involve your team.

• Set clear objectives. Circulate an agenda before the meeting to give participants an idea of what is planned. Even if you’ve planned surprise events, block the time on your agenda to avoid possible schedule conflicts.

• Assign team-building-related tasks to small groups in advance. Allow each team to take ownership in their ideas and present them at the teambuilding event.

• Engage new perspectives. Invite professionals from outside your business to speak about their knowledge and experience.

• Feed their stomachs to fuel their minds. Select a variety of appetizing food, refreshments, and snacks to keep everyone energized.

• Break frequently. By allowing frequent opportunities to use -the bathroom, check voice mail, grab snacks, etc., you can reduce interruptions during your schedule of events.

• Respect the time. If your meetings are scheduled to wrap up by 4 p.m., make sure you follow suit. Optional events, such as happy hour or evening meals, should be structured loosely to allow your team to come and go as they please.

• Have fun! Just because it is a business meeting doesn’t mean it can’t be fun.

• Follow up. The end of a team-building event is really the beginning. Take thorough notes and follow up on your group’s discussions, concepts, and ideas. Establish a communication plan for posting the progress of initiatives that have been put into place. Seek ideas from your team for your next team-building event. Ask what they did and did not enjoy, and make the responses anonymous to receive the most honest feedback.

http://www.ParagonPress.net – 318.868.3351 – info@paragonpress.net

Has your company considered breaking into radio marketing?

Here are some things to consider before you take your business to the airwaves:

• Skip the details. In other words, keep the script as simple as possible. Use your airtime to generate excitement, not weigh listeners down with details. Reserve the details for your direct-mail marketing program.

• Forget rush hour. Instead, buy some time in the mornings or at midday. While rush hour may seem like the optimum time to advertise, your potential rush-hour audience members are more than likely in a hurry, have other things on their minds, and are less inclined to listen to advertising. You’ll get more airtime, and more attentive listeners for your money, if you stay away from rush hour.

• Buy when the market is soft. The first quarter tends to be a less expensive time to advertise, and a great time to lock in some quality airtime.

• More is better when it comes to radio ads. Your customers need to hear your ad a minimum of three times a week before it really makes an impression. In radio advertising, quantity is often more important than quality.

• Believe it or not, you may be able to keep your production costs very low. If you know what you want your ad to say, many radio stations will produce your ads for free, and possibly send them on to competing stations as a service to you.

http://www.ParagonPress.net – 318.868.3351

Managing a steady stream of email may seem like a daunting task, but keeping on top of it can be a reward in itself.

Here are some pointers on how to keep your inbox empty:

• Declutter by deleting spam and other emails that have no importance.

• Respond immediately to emails that require a minute or less to complete.

• If an email requires action and you don’t have time to respond immediately, “flag” it. For example, red requires a timely response, orange can wait for a couple of days, and green can be for non-urgent items.

• Move important emails into clearly labeled archive folders.

• Add emails that need an extensive response to your daily to-do list.

• If the message requires someone else’s action, immediately forward to that person.

• Commit to replying to email every day. At the very least, respond that you are very busy but will be in contact again shortly.

http://www.ParagonPress.net – 318.868.3351 – joan@paragonpress.net