Tips for getting the most out of your team training…

1. Set objectives
Ask yourself - why are we doing this? What do we want to get out of this course or event? Is it just a fun event, or do we you have specific issues to address such as improving communication. Or is it just a getting-to-know-you exercise? This is especially important if you have to justify how much money you are spending and have to demonstrate a return on that spending in terms of improved performance.

2. Agree on a budget
Knowing what you have to spend will guide the design of a programme with Peak. It could be very frustrating to design a fantastic programme together and then find that you do not have the money to run it. Conversely settling for a simple “off the shelf” event may not meet your outcomes as well as a fully facilitated custom-built programme if you can afford it.

3. Think about who you will taking
The setting of objectives will help with this. It is unusual to have the same age range in your team who all like the same things. It is more likely you will have a variety of people who will have different ideas and fears about a team development event. Peak can design a programme to cater to the most timid and the most adventurous people – even if they are in the same team!

4. Decide on the nature of the event
Low impact? high impact? adrenaline or fun? This will be influenced by the objectives you set, the issues to be addressed and the individuals involved. You may want to put people under pressure, you may want to put them in an unfamiliar environment. Or you may just want to go out and have fun together. We operate a “Challenge by Choice” philosophy – nobody will be forced to do something if they don’t feel comfortable.

5. Decide how much time away
Is this just a one day event or longer? Is it part of a larger conference or meeting? One factor to consider is that learning is reinforced by time for reflection – if after the event your people have to rush back to work or back to a hectic strategy meeting then they have no time to reflect, process and then transfer their learning into meaningful change in the workplace. Overnight stays allow people to interact with their colleagues in new and meaningful ways.

6. Get buy-in or ownership
Keep participants and management in the loop. Explain to them the reasons behind the event. Some people fear such events as they believe they are being “put under the microscope” and assessed by programme facilitators or by their own management. Explain this is not the case and spell out the true objectives. Others may fear staying in a new location or the activities themselves.

7. Talk to Peak
We can sit down with you and design a custom-built programme, or advise you by phone or email of some options that will suit. You may want to visit the venue that will be used.

8. Communicate to those attending
Decide exactly how much information you will feed to the participants. Remember that if you keep them in the dark you may be inundated with questions, and you may exaggerate some people’s fears. On the other hand, if people know the activities in advance they may invent their own scenarios of doom. Trust the Peak facilitators to create a supportive atmosphere during the event.

You will need to provide participants:

• Gear list - what people are expected to bring with them and what needs to be supplied
• Travel details and directions

You will need to get from participants:

• Information on any medical conditions or injuries
• Dietary needs and requirements