Fresh Tracks Team Talk - July 2008
Happy Choirs will Beat the Credit Crunch
As
the BBC's new Saturday night TV show 'Last Choir Standing' searches for
the best choral team, our thoughts this month turn to what your team needs
to win in this volatile economic period.
During a recent BBC radio interview Julie Hudson, a Managing Director at UBS, said "Companies that have very well engaged workforces are on balance likely to be better set to survive a time like this...... it's very, very hard work so you can imagine if motivation drops and energy drops then the company is less likely to survive than if employees are really going for it and fighting back."
This theory is backed by Alex Edmans, Professor of Finance at Wharton School of Business. His research found that happy companies delivered an average 14% return between 1998 and 2005 compared with a market average of just 6%.
So in these uncertain times how can we raise morale within our teams? Some practical suggestions include:
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Make time for open and honest conversations (see our facilitated programmes for more info) |
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Don't dwell on the negative (see our Go FAR programme for more info) |
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Remind people of their strengths (see Strength Deployment Inventory for more info) |
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Restate the vision (see Staff Conferences for more info) |
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Laugh together (see Evening Entertainment for more info) |
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Celebrate every success (see Reward and Incentives for more info) |
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Monitor engagement and well being: act quickly if it starts to dip (see Colorvote for more info) |
In
short, find time to get away from the daily grind and invest in the team.
Whether it's a cost-efficient department picnic or an executive retreat,
a few hours spent raising the mood will pay dividends in increased productivity.
For advice
on how teams can thrive in uncertain times contact Dan
Collins
or
call 01920 822220
New
Team EventInspired
by Last
Choir Standing we are looking for teams that are willing to
step outside their comfort zone and experience the thrill of making
sweet, sweet music together. Singing from the Same Song-Sheet
is a half day team building programme that takes a group of novice
choristers from howls to wows. No matter what musical ability
or experience your team possess we will get them in tune whether
its hitting the high notes, beat boxing or finger clicking. If
you would like to get involved in this event do contact Jane
Mole on
t: 01920 822 220.
Book Review Following the musical theme, we look at Benjamin Zander's incredibly inspiring book The Art of Possibility: Practices in Leadership, Relationship and Passion
Benjamin Zander is well known as conductor of the The Boston Philharmonic and more recently as a motivational speaker to governments and corporate leaders. Combining his experience with that of his co-author, psychologist Rosamund Stone Zander, the duo have created a compelling guide for those wanting to perform at a higher level and lead a more fulfilling life. As a leader Zander tells how, by giving all his students A grades and then asking them to produce work the deserved an A, he has successfully untapped otherwise hidden talents. Click here to view exerpts from the book and to buy online at Amazon.co.uk.
Some
Recent Fresh Tracks Events
Team
Treasure Hunt - Fun team building for Vodafone
Belbin
& Team
Tasks - Facilitated team analysis Southern Housing Group
Facilitation
and Team
Tasks - Focused team building for Barclays
Rocket
Scientists, Facilitation
and Team
Tasks - Rocket powered team fun
with Bayer
Multi
Activity Day - All action fun with Hays Financial Services
Product
Launch - Car launch for Renault
If
you are planning a staff
conference or team
building event, or simply need some ideas on how to motivate your
group, please feel free to contact Tom
Vaughton on 01920 822 220 or visit www.freshtracks.co.uk.
Fresh
Tracks
"Creating better workplaces"
Team Building, Motivational Activities, Event Management Solutions
Web: www.freshtracks.co.uk
Tel: 01920 822 220
Email: mail@freshtracks.co.uk
‘teams that play together, work together’