Question

Topic: Just for Fun

Happy New Year

Posted by Anonymous on 12/31/2004 at 8:05 PM ET 1000 Points
I would like to wish each and every member of this forum a very HAPPY NEW YEAR.

This year has been a difficult year and the world has seen a lot of suffering. This was capped off by one of the gravest natural disaster of our times. I extend my sympathies and condolences to everyone afftected.

I would like to hear from the forum on the following question:

What are some creative ways to generate positive energy when you conduct a seminar, a workshops or have meetings? It is not a secret that positive energy produces spectacular results. That said, let us list some creative ways that people can benefit from.

This is for me and everyone else that needs to facilitate sessions.

Thanks.

Praf
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  • Posted by Deremiah *CPE on 12/31/2004 at 8:24 PM Accepted
    Praf,

    I love to facilitate...it's a great thing. Here's some of the things I do to generate positive energy.

    Group participation always get's positive energy flowing.

    MILLION DOLLAR MOTIVATIONAL "CALL & RESPONSE":
    The speaker or leader calls the audience to repeat after her or respond in a certain way when she says the special trigger word.

    Speaking out from ones innerself by using words that are positive helps us to project our inner image outward. This is very powerful and stimualting when done as a group. Projecting sound using the same breath that gives us life is moving physically, mentally and spiritually. Breath is the most fundamental part of who we are and when we combine this with our vocal apparatus we illuminate. Positive words in themselves are stimulating and I've found they are even more stimulating when we simulataneously project them through words with passion among an audience. Although we are many...the same words being projected enthusiastically from many people roars as one voice like an orchestra of instruments playing the same note in syncopation, in harmony, on the same pitch, and volume...(THAT'S POWERFUL)

    If you want more of the above please feel free to send one large donation to the Glenwood Foundation. I hope this helps you get started. Is there anything no matter how small or large I can do for you Praf?

    Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE, (Customer Passion Evangelist)
  • Posted by telemoxie on 1/1/2005 at 12:46 PM Accepted
    Occasionally I conduct telemarketing training. Many people have very negative attitudes towards telemarketing, and as a result they typically do not enjoy this portion of their job. And so I'll begin by asking everyone what it is they dislike most about telemarketing. It is pretty easy to come up with a long list - e.g. see
    https://www.marketingprofs.com/ea/qst_question.asp?qstID=2293

    ... but by bringing these negative points out into the open, and by defining our mission as learning how NOT to use abusive tactics, and how to get folks to actually thank you ffor calling - it seems to me we turn some negative energy and attitudes in a positive direction.
  • Posted by SRyan ;] on 1/1/2005 at 7:04 PM Accepted
    Happy New Year, Praf and everyone!

    Way back when I was a professional trainer (aah, those good old days at Compaq!), I learned many facilitation tips and tricks from Sivasailam Thiagarajan -- better known as Thiagi. See his website at www.Thiagi.com .

    A lot of his ideas to keep people energized and engaged were incredibly simple. For example, we all know to break a roomful of people into small activity groups. Thiagi liked to say things like, "Okay, you are group 1, you are group B, and you over there are group 9."

    If you ever have a chance to attend one of his sessions, don't miss it!

    - Shelley
  • Posted by SRyan ;] on 1/4/2005 at 4:01 AM Member
    I love what Jim just described!

    He reminded me of something my business partner told me he did in some training sessions years ago. Disclaimer: I haven't tried it, but it sounds very effective.

    Your group needs to stand in a circle, or in some formation where each person is within arm's reach of another. You assign them the task of moving a boxful of tennis balls (or something that size), one at a time, efficiently from a starting point (you) to an ending point (Gertrude, let's say).

    Appoint someone as timekeeper, and someone else as the ball counter. Let the group try the exercise two or three times, handing one ball at a time from one person to the next. Between each attempt, allow five minutes for them to discuss ways to improve the process. Be very encouraging and enthusiastic as they improve their performance.

    Then do it one more time, but with a critical difference.

    At some point, you reach into your box of tennis balls and hand the next person a rubber chicken.

    Watch what happens to the group performance. You can relate the rubber chicken to any unexpected incident in life or in business -- how a team handles it effectively often depends on planning for the unforeseen.

    From the executive suite level to the oil rig roughnecks, my partner said that years later the session participants would say to each other, "We've got a rubber chicken to deal with." Powerful stuff!

    As an icebreaker, this exercise wouldn't reveal the usual name, zodiac sign, or job title info... so it might work best after typical introductions or as a second group exercise. And obviously you must relate it to handling the "unexpected incidents" you will be covering in your session, or else it's a fun but meaningless exercise.

    Clever, hmm?

    Shelley ;]
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