Fresh Tracks Team Talk - September 2008

When does change stop?

It's been a week of changes - the historic US election, the FTSE finally making some recovery and today the Bank of England slashing interest rates by 1.5%

Some say the slow-down is slowing down and that, following a wave of structural changes across most organisations, it's now time to think about marking the end of change and the beginning of a fresh start. All too often managers fail to acknowledge the end of change. Consequently the low morale that inevitably accompanies periods of uncertainty continues, eroding productivity day after day.

So how can we mark these new beginnings? It's unlikely that a team email, no matter how well written, will do the trick. A heartfelt spoken statement is far more likely to penetrate, especially when accompanied by a memorable activity. This creates an opportunity to ensure there is clarity of purpose and a strong sense of team spirit.

At Fresh Tracks we know a thing or two about engendering a sense of 'team' and as our name suggests we are great believers in getting organisations back on track. In our experience subtle details such as the timing and location are critical. As is a sense of fun - if people don't enjoy one another's company they are unlikely to enjoy their work. If you are to successfully mark the end of uncertainty and the beginning of a more positive future it's essential to create a memory that can be referred back to for example, the team meeting held in a castle or the away day involving an explosive finale.

We'd be delighted to share some of the best examples we've come across if you would simply let us know the size of your team, the approximate date when you will mark the end of uncertainty and how much time you can commit to the event.

That change is constant is no excuse.

For more information or a meeting to discuss please contact Dan Collins on t: 01920 822 220.

 

Event Focus - Change Workshops

If the end is far from sight and change is very much on the agenda, consider holding a change workshop. Using footage from Jamie Oliver's school dinners programme accompanied by memorable team games and activities, we take groups through a process where they learn to embrace change rather than fear it. Consequently the process of change runs more smoothly with majority buy in eliminating the all too common threat of sabotage from within. For more information or a meeting to discuss this workshop contact Dan Collins on t: 01920 822 220.

 

Book Review: Who Moved My Cheese?: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life, by Spencer Johnson

This is a classic business book that brilliantly takes the sting out of change, in less than 20,000 words! If you are in the midst of change or are trying to maintain morale during a period of uncertainty this 2 hour read is a must. Click here to buy the book online at Amazon.co.uk.

 

Some Recent Fresh Tracks Events
Belbin, Team Tasks & The Team Machine - Facilitated team building for Wates Development Group
Black Cab Chase - Fun team building event for Kewill
The Team Machine - Large scale team work by Vodafone
Mud, Sweat and Gears - Outdoor motorised team event with BT Openreach
Belbin, Team Tasks & The Chocolate Challenge - Focused team development with Essex Police