#9: HOW TO DESIGN & DELIVER TEAM BUILDING SEMINAR

Dear fellow trainers,

I have just finished conducting a three-day seminar on team building to the OPUS group of companies involving 43 participants (executives and managers). Venue: Nur Lembah Pangsun Hulu Langat Selangor.

DESIGN CONSIDERATION

When you want to design a team building course especially if it involves outdoor (say 40:60 outdoor-indoor) please consider the following:-

1. MODEL OF TEAM BUILDING

The ultimate (terminal) objectives of any team building course should be effectiveness & satisfaction of group members. So we must know the factors that make teams effective. Get hold of models of team effectiveness such as by Robbins, Belbin, Tuckman, etc. Make their models/concepts/ideas the underpinning theories of your team building course. Tuckman talks about the stages of group development (Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing - and someone added Adjourning). Belbin talks about the various roles in a team - Chairman, Shaper, Plant, Monitor-Evaluator, Resource person, Finisher, and two or three other minor roles that must be played by members of a group to make it effective. Robbins has a Group Behaviour model that gives a holistic view of group performance. Find out other models.

2. AVAILABILITY OF OUTDOOR FACILITIES

Your team building activities are only as good as the outdoor facilities offered by the venue. Therefore, recommend training venues that have the following:-

• Large playing field or lawn (obstacle course will be a bonus)
• Jungle
• River
• Cave
• Seaside
• Hill/mountain
• Fruit orchard
• Wild country side
• Camping ground

I have been using the following venues with outdoor facilities:-

• Tekam Plantation Resort, Jerantut, Pahang (have used it more than 40 times)
• The Jungle Lodge Alang Sedayu, Gombak
• Kalumpang Resort, Tanjung Malim, Perak
• ILHAM, Port Dickson (PD) Negri Sembilan (used to do it there frequently)
• Regency Hotel, PD
• Casa Rachardo, PD
• Gambang Hill Resort, Pahang
• Resorts at pantai Cherating, Pahang
• Desa Rhu Resort, Kota Tinggi, Johor
• Lembah Azwen, Hulu Langat, Selangor
• Agrotech resort, Hulu Langat (frequent)
• Nur Lembah Pangsun, Hulu Langat (current and often)
• Cheringin Hills, Kampung Janda Baik, Pahang
• The Ark, Kg Janda Baik
• Seri Dinar, Kg Janda Baik (unsure whether it still operates)
• Cope Adventure (out of service now due to earth slippage on main road)
• FELDA Training Centre, Trolak,  Perak
• Resort in Pulau Langkawi, Kedah
• Mersilau (?) Resort, at foot of Gunung Kinabalu, Sabah

I have yet to try the following venues:-

• FELCRA Training Centre Segamat, Johor
• "Puteri Langkawi" - team building on a tall ship anchored off Pulau Langkawi, Kedah!
• Gunung Jerai resort, Kedah
• Gunung Ledang resort, Johor

3. NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS

The number of participants for team building is limitless. The biggest I have done was for Perpustakaan Negara (180 pax), followed by Everyday Battery Johor 170 pax, and SIRIM 160 pax, 30-50 is normal. Sometimes it goes to 70-100 pax. I am about to conduct a team building course for a client this month which involves 160 pax. 

Number of pax poses special challenges to event organiser and trainer. Consider the following:-

• Equipment for outdoor games/experiential learning exercises
• Assistants (logistic, security & safety of pax, etc)
• Suitable size training hall & facilities
• Stationeries 
• Co-ordination (walkie talkies, loud hailer)
• Transportation
• Accommodation.

Not all the venues I stated above can accommodate large number of participants. 

4. DISTANCE

Outdoor team building needs a lot of equipment. You will need a big transporter. A large number of participants (40-200) will need coaches. Hence distance from you and distance for your client to the venues need a special consideration. Transport (tourist standard coach) is very expensive (RM2000-3000 per round trip to, say, destination 200 km away). 

5. TYPE OF ACTIVITIES

If the client wants a spiritual input (and you are not well grounded in religion) you will have to engage another trainer from outside your organisation. Integrate your normal team building sessions with those religious oriented activities. 

Hj Tajodin

Apr 8, 2013

# 8 : TRAIN THE TRAINER COURSE

Dear fellow trainers wherever you may be,

I am fortunate for having undergone several train the trainer courses in the last fifteen years or so conducted by both local (Malaysian) as well as international sifus as follows:-

1. Dr. Tarcisius Chin (Malaysia)
2. Dr. Cheah  (Singapore)
3. Mr. Michael Podolinsky (USA)
4. Mr. Mark Skinner (UK)
5. Ms Cheri Holland (New Zealand)
6. Ms Joy Bernard (Australia)
7. Mr Terry Gould (Australia).

On reflection, all the investments I made have paid off handsomely in terms of my effectiveness as a trainer. Effectiveness for a trainer means we have successfully made three things in the learners:-

• They understand
• They remember
• They can apply.

I urge you to attend a TTT under HRDF (organised by eight training providers including the Institute of Management - MIM) or Certified Professional Trainer (organised by the Malaysian Institute of Management). They not only award you a recognised certificate but also a skill that will catapult you to new heights within the profession.

The HRDF TTT offers the following topics:-

1. Adult Learning Principles
2. Training Needs Analysis
3. Designing Training
4. Delivering Training
5. Assessment of Trainees.

The TTT HRDF is normally held over five days and conducted by one trainer. As far as I know there are currently only eight providers authorised by HRDF in Malaysia. Normally assessment of your competency (or non competency) is done by way of  individual presentations on the fifth day.  The passing mark is 75%. A typical HRDF assessment form is attached below for your guidance.

The MIM CPT offers the following topics:-

1. Adult Learning Principles
2. Training Needs Analysis
3. Designing Training
4. Delivering Training
5. Assessment of Trainees
6. Harrison Profiling
7. Evaluation of Training
8. Management Development Outdoor
9. Managing Training Function.

There is a project at the end of the instructional session (day nine) which you will have to present on the tenth day. This will determine whether you qualify or not as a CPT.

Tajodin
080413

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ATTACHMENT "A"

CRITERIA FOR ASSESSMENT OF TRAINEES' PRESENTATION

INTRODUCTION

• Session Plan                                                                             10%
• Ice Breaker                                                                              10%

CONTENT

• Learning Objectives/Outcomes                                               10%
• Well-structured Content                                                          10%

DELIVERY

• Audio-visuals & Techniques                                                    10%
• Session Flow                                                                              10%
• Engaging the Audience                                                             10%
• Effective Handling of Questions                                               10%

CONCLUSION

• Summarised the Session                                                             10%
• Reviewed Outcomes                                                                    10%

                                                                                     TOTAL             100%         

#7: TEAM BUILDING @ AGROTECH

Hi fellow trainers,

I have just conducted a team building program for a client from Taman Melawati, Selangor and I want to share some of the happy moments during the program. The program was undertaken jointly with another training provider (who handles the spiritual inputs).

Basic data:

Number of participants: 40 pax
Duration: 3d2n
Venue: Agrotek Garden Resort Hulu Langat, Selangor.
Program: See program below (ATTACHMENT "A")
Ratio of indoor to outdoor activities: 70:30
Layout: Double U-shape

(*) See some photographs and video clips of the event below (*). Notice the indoor & outdoor facilities offered by this beautiful resort at Hulu Langat, Selangor.

Indoor games played during the seminar:

1. Lego Fax
2. Art of Generals
3. Puteri Gunung Ledang
4. NASA

Outdoor games played:
1. Acid River
2. Dumb Organisation.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

I am a great believer in the proposition that adults learn best through experience (Kolb, Knowles, Rogers, Lozanov, etc). Through those indoor and outdoor games participants of the above program learnt the following about factors that contribute to team building:-

1. Team spirit (esprit de corps) - that willingness to do the extra mile, beyond the call of duty to help other members, to sacrifice one's own comfort and material gains, for the sake of the group without complaining (Asma Abdullah);
2. Clear group goals (vision & mission) - goals that every member subscribes to, made clear by the leader;
3. Communication skills  - the life blood of an organisation;
4. Allocation of tasks & roles - combination of people playing different roles (Belbin), clear allocation of tasks among members, and "job fit";
5. Planning & strategising - all major operations need the skills of planning & strategising;
6. Leadership - setting direction, aligning people to that direction, and influencing & inspiring;
7. Problem solving & decision making - these are fundamental skills required of members and leaders of work group; pre-requisite skills of managers & leaders (Katz & Kahn);
8. Knowledge & information - someone in the group (especially the leader) must act as a conduit for acquisition of knowledge and information from outside the group, channelled to members of the group;
9. Scanning the environment - always on the alert for changing circumstances, managing change and resistance (conflict) and therefore conflict & negotiation skills; and
10. Motivation - celebrating successes, recognising contributions, and encouraging the heart (Kouzes & Posner).

Realisation of these factors and learning these skills during this seminar will hopefully encourage participants to apply them at work, experiment and take risk to introduce new ways of managing people, and lead them to new threshold of success and effectiveness.

Taj
170313

ATTACHMENT "A"

TEAM FOR EXCELLENCE PROGRAM

HELD AT AGROTECH, HULU LANGAT JAN 31- FEB 2, 2013

HARI	MASA	TAJUK AKTIVITI	BUTIRAN	PEMBELAJARAN
1 (31 Jan)	1.00 pm	Check in + Makan Tengahari + Solat Zohor
	3.00 pm	Aluan MD & Taklimat oleh Pihak Penganjur
	4.00 pm	Minum Petang
	4.50 pm	Solat Asar Berjemaah
	5.30 pm	Sesi ADK 1 Board Game “Art of Generals”	Peserta dlm kumpulan 4-5 org cuba menguasai sebanyak mungkin wilayah dlm peta dunia.	Kenalpasti faktor-faktor yg merosakkan perhubungan sesama manusia.
	6.30 pm	Makan Malam
	7.26 pm	Solat Maghrib Berjemaah + Kuliah Maghrib
	8.38 pm	Solat Isyak Berjemaah
	9.00 pm	Sesi ADK 2 Konflik & Strategi Menanganinya. Konflik dlm ‘Negotiation’ melalui main peranan “Pirates of South China Sea”	Mengisi borang soalselidik tentang stail konflik dan main peranan ‘negotiation’.	Mengenalpasti stail menangani konflik dan situasi yg sesuai utk strategi-strategi berkenaan.
	10.30 pm	Supper
	11.00 pm	Rehat/Tidur
2 (1 Feb)	4.30 am	Qiamullail (Solat Tahajud + Taubat + Hajat + Witir) berjemaah
	6.08 am	Solat Subuh Berjemaah
	6.30 am	Istirehat & Persiapan Diri
	8.30 am	Sarapan Pagi
	9.00 am	Sesi ADK 3 Permainan Luar Dewan Kuliah (outdoor experiential learning) “Dumb Organisation” dan “S-Blindfold”	Peserta dlm kumpulan 5-6 org menjalankan satu tugasan sedangkan mereka menghadapi banyak halangan komunikasi.	Mengenalpasti teknik mengatasi halangan2 komunikasi.
	10.30 am	Minum Pagi
	11.00 am	Sambungan Sesi ADK 3 N.A.S.A. Membanding ‘kuasa’ dgn ‘pengaruh’	Peserta dlm kumpulan telah sesat di bulan dan perlu buat keputusan bgi menyelamatkan diri. Peserta mendefinisikan ‘kuasa’ dan ‘pengaruh’.	Membuktikan peserta boleh membuat keputusan secara sebulat suara. Mengenalpasti kaedah2 mempertingkat daya pengaruh.
	12.30 pm	Makan Tengahari
	1.29 pm	Solat Jumaat
	3.30 pm	Sesi ADK 4 Board Game “Puteri Gunung Ledang”.	Peserta dlm kumpulan 6-7 org ‘mendaki gunung’ utk memperoleh sebanyak mungkin harta qarun.	Menyenaraikan faktor-faktor yg menyumbang ke arah prestasi kumpulan.
	4.30 pm	Minum Petang
	4.50 pm	Solat Asar Berjemaah
	5.00 pm	Sambungan Sesi ADK 4 “Puteri Gunung Ledang”		Rujuk kpd model “Group Behaviour” oleh Robbins.
	6.30 pm	Persiapan Diri
	7.26 pm	Solat Maghrib Berjemaah + Kuliah Maghrib
	8.38 pm	Solat Isyak Berjemaah
	9.00 pm	Makan Malam BBQ Sesi Ukhwah – Sharing Session – Guided Session
	11.00 pm	Rehat/Tidur
3 (2 Feb)	6.08 am	Solat Subuh Berjemaah + Kuliah Subuh
	6.45 am	Riadah
	7.45 am	Persiapan Diri
	8.30 am	Sarapan Pagi
	9.00 am	Sesi ADK 5 Peranan dlm Kumpulan menurut Meredith Belbin. Nilai-nilai menunjangi kerja berpasukan yg cemerlang.	Mengisi borang soalselidik mengenai peranan yg penting dlm pasukan kerja. Peserta mencadangkan nilai2 yg mendasari hasil kerja berpasukan yang cemerlang.	Mengenalpasti peranan-peranan kritikal yg perlu ada dlm sesebuah pasukan bagi menjamin prestasi yg tinggi. Membuat satu ‘Credo’ pasukan & akujanji mempraktikkannya di tempat kerja.
	10.30 am	Minum Pagi
	11.00 am	Rumusan & Penghargaan – wakil peserta/penghulu berucapan – immediate feedback & Majlis Penutup
	1.00 pm	Makan Tengahari
	1.30 pm	Solat Zohor Berjemaah & Doa Penutup
	2.00 pm	Bersurai

"ACID RIVER"

Figuring out the best approaches to improving group performance.

"ACID RIVER"

Building team spirit.

"DUMB ORGANISATION"

Measures for overcoming barriers to communication in organisations.

"ART OF GENERALS"

(Board game created by Hj Tajodin 2004)

Planning & strategising to ensure maximum impact.

"LEGO FAX"

Managing group processes appropriately to achieve group goals.

"LEGO FAX"

Bench marking group performances.

"PUTERI GUNUNG LEDANG"

(Board Game created by Hj Tajodin 1995)

Managing resources, information, and people performance.