Shute

In 24 years of team building with groups I have interviewed many executives as they contemplate the decision to hold some type of team development program. From shorter, lighter, fun programs to in-depth interventions for really stuck teams the goals for team building vary widely or can often be inadequately defined.

Most clients are not team building experts and so speak of the symptoms of bad teamwork; lack of communication, lack of trust, redundancy of effort, or lack of progress where it is needed most because this or that work group is not getting along. It is often a very helpful process for them to have the consultant help define specifically what the issues really are and what desired alternatives for teamwork might be possible. I often help my clients figure out what is really going on with the team and what it is that they really want rather than the way they are treating one another today.

The following are some of the most common reasons organizations cite for participating in a team-building program:

1) Have Fun

For whatever reasons some group just wants to have fun. Although almost any team experience can also be used as a valuable teamwork learning opportunity, sometimes fun is the objective. Organizations may already have detailed training and development programs in place and want a break from it all or just want to have a good party, nothing more. Sometimes this is influenced by the culture of the organization and weak or immature leadership. Without passing judgment here, it is worth mentioning that a high energy shared experience has many positive benefits such as : seeing one another in a different light than at work, creating a relaxed atmosphere where people might be more comfortable talking to someone at a different level in the organization, or bonding with one another because of some kind of shared activity like a softball game. If expectations for building teamwork are low and outcomes are not defined some longer term benefits will undoubtedly occur, but not necessarily the highest priority benefits that a work group might need.

2) Get everyone together, have a shared experience

Often planned by the well meaning, shared experiences hopefully take into account the comfort and participation level of each person. Rock climbing, for example, might be an intense trust building exercise for some, where it is an embarrassing reminder of ones lack of physical condition for another. The motivation here is one of defining the group culture and anchoring a sense of identity by doing something together. Typically, this might involve participating in entertainment together, corporate Olympics or company picnic type events, going on a dinner cruise together etc.. Any activity where everyone is together in the same place doing more or less the same thing can help anchor the idea of the unit or the group. This is not a very sophisticated objective but many companies are reticent to search for deeper meaning or learning because they fear the cultural push-back of not doing something cool enough to keep each clique and faction happy. There is of course, no limit to spending money on extravagant events but many of these provide little in the way of long term intrinsic benefit to the team when everyone returns to the same way of working together the next week. These types of events are almost like bribes to keep the worker happy, rather than opportunities to learn and become better as a team.

3) Celebrate Recent Achievements

Although similar to number 2 above, this type of team event actually has more structure and content and serves a very useful purpose for the team. Key points include:

-Acknowledging that everyone has been working hard, validating the rationale for asking a lot from workers on a regular basis.

-Acknowledge that the plan has worked and the goals have been reached. This inspires belief in leadership and engenders support and belief that future initiatives will also be successful.

-Gives credit and recognition to those who deserve it. Most employees crave acknowledgment for the contributions they make and relish being treated as a valuable contributor to the group.

-Builds a sense of identity as a team member of a strong, capable and successful team.

4) Presented or Perceived as a Workplace/Company Benefit

Once again, a perk for working in a particular company might be a luxurious travel trip or junket that could be called team building, when in reality it is a personal benefit many employees look forward to because of the great meals, resort hotel and far away location. Some work cultures routinely provide these types of benefits but few have real beneficial teambuilding structure. More often they are filled with additional sales or technical training or are used to unveil next years goals- ever more aggressive and demanding than the last, which are supposed to go down with the spoonful of sugar that the luxurious junket serves to provide. Re-calculating next years sales or production goals with team building doesnt always mix.

5) Interact with Senior Management, Key Customers or Vendors

Sometimes team building is a good way to force interaction with the objective of solidifying relationships. This might seem a little ingenuous at first, but well structured team building programs are actually a great way to deepen business relationships, which must first be acceptable personal relationships. A shared experience such as a ropes course or team initiative exercises can open up and stimulate all kinds of interactions and discussion that bring people closer together. Deepening communication and collaboration, learning about one anothers leadership and decision making styles, and exploring strategic approaches to quality and improvement in fun ways together can make for stronger teamwork throughout the value chain.

6) Build Communication Within the Team

Every group can do better with their communication with one another. It is the most common objective for team building and is nearly always at the heart of what coworkers want to do better when they get back to work. Modeling group communication skills should be woven into all great team building programs.

7) Cooperation/Collaboration between two groups

This is a very common rationale for team building programs and should be used more often, particularly where two work groups or departments form vital parts of the value chain such as sales and production, or engineering and marketing. Each group needs to better understand the demands and capabilities of the other and to work towards a realistic set of expectations that creates both efficiency and a way of operating that everyone can live with- especially the customer. Sometimes a lot of healing and conflict resolution will need to take place with a healthy dose of getting everyone enrolled in better possibilities for getting things done in the future.

8) Merger or Acquisition

When the dynamics and infrastructure of an organization changes everyone wonders how it will affect them. Once they get past the question of whether or not they will still have a job, the next logical questions cluster around what will be each employees roles and responsibilities, and how will things be different on a day to day basis? Workers need assurances. Will the status quo be maintained or will there be sweeping policy and procedure changes? How will changes be introduced? Calling this team building is really a stretch, but often the need is to get everyone together and communicate a new approach or philosophy and hopefully, integrate operations and new requirements quickly for no loss in production. It is a classic organizational challenge, but one that can be made smoother with a well designed team building program. After all, the new must integrate with the old with the result of a better and more capable result.

These team-building programs must be designed carefully.

9) New Management/Leadership

Many military groups are cursed by a changing command every two years or so. Each new commander strives to make his/her mark and make a unique difference that has never been seen before. These commanders know that they need to establish a new pace and climate quickly, coalesce the high influencers and important departments into an even more effective machine and direct the machine towards the achievement of ever more ambitious goals. Every one involved dreads the integration of a new commander and does their best to remain under the radar so as not to get noticed or focused upon as an opportunity for improvement or change. The private sector lacks the role specificity and rigidity of structure characteristic of the military but makes up for it in political intrigue and the introduction of complexity and lack of humanness.

Integrating new leadership and a new approach is a great reason to undertake a team-building program. For success the key is to focus on what works already, the voice of the worker, readiness for change, and consensus on areas that need improvement, rather than some disconnected and ambitious management by objectives approach by an executive who hasnt been there and done that. A humble new manager that listens rather than tells, that strives to understand rather than redefines, who use subtlety rather than dictate to institute a new rhythm will use a team building program for one of its highest potential benefits.

10) Pull together for a new strategy and new direction

When this motivation is genuine it can be very powerful. Hopefully top management knows where they are going before asking everyone to jump on the new bandwagon with them. They need to have definitive plans and be unequivocal about their commitment. In this case the message to employees and workers is one of engendering the motivation to support the leadership who knows how to work their way out of the current situation or crisis. These type of team building initiatives will fall on deaf ears if they are not well thought out and well executed. The core of the message sent to employees in this situation is that we will pull together to weather this crisis and we will support each other and work together to get it done. Employees quickly see through disingenuous lip service and lack of commitment from key executives who dont put their money where their mouth is and lead with their own example.

11) The dysfunctional group

Dysfunctional groups are made up of dysfunctional individuals, thus requiring a series of individual behavioral changes that will need to take place for the group to change its modus operandi. This is truly an artful process involving very sophisticated approaches to get the group to want to commit to a new approach, to see something in t for them individually and collectively to operate differently together, and to let go of ego-based defenses and negative behaviors that disrupt the smooth functioning of the work group.

Usually, the dysfunctional nature of this work group is costing the company a lot of money and frustrating everyone around them. And also, most in the organization are scared to confront the obvious, challenge unproductive behaviors and demand these individuals to elevate themselves to a higher standard for the well being of all concerned.

Because of who they are in the organizational hierarchy, the issues are treated like political hot potatoes or spoken about in hushed tones or overly sensitive terms, rather than being labeled as the immature, unprofessional inefficient and ridiculous behaviors that they are. Everyone agrees that there is a better way of operating out there if they would only open themselves up to the possibility. Herein lies the rub. Facilitating commitment to move beyond the current state to a better future state is the entire purpose of the team building experience, and it takes very skilled and professional handling. Like a delicate baby chick emerging from its shell, the possibility of a more satisfying way of operating needs to be handled gently. New ideas need to be carefully introduced and subscribed to with very specific expectations on everyones part as to how they will happen. Overcoming a history of lack of trust and moving into a more collaborative, open and honest future together means that this decision and agreement must be seen to be made by each group member. Herein lies the finest art of facilitated team building. Often a group like this will require continued support for some time so as to be reminded of their commitment and so as not to backslide into old behavioral patterns.

Corporate team building programs can have varied goals or combination of goals and require a flexible, customized approach. The goal is results; a better functioning, more satisfied and productive work team, whether on the front line or at the top executive level. People are people at whatever level of the organization, and often need the power and leverage of a well designed team building program to remind them that they can indeed work together, and even in fact, enjoy it.

Bart Allen Berry is a team development specialist, consultant, author and trainer working with over 200,000 professionals over the past 24 years all over the world. Barts state of the art teambuilding programs and approach can be found at:

http://www.teamteambuilding.com

During earlier times, when a radio was fitted to an automobile it was considered to be an accessory and, in later years when it was fashionable to attach a fox tail to the autos radio antenna, this was also considered as an accessory.

My, how times have changed. There are so many items that were once considered to be extras that are now fitted to an auto as standard equipment and considered to be essential. This does not include the fox tail which, of course has gone the same way as Davy Crocketts coonskin cap.

Today, the term, auto accessory encompasses a vast range of vehicle add-ons that vary from decals and pin striping to luxury items such as a cocktail bar, television or GPS tracking device. There are many outlets scattered throughout every city in the USA which, are stocked with a huge range of auto accessories that are suitable for almost every make and model of auto, truck and motorcycle.

There are odd times when the motorist spots an auto which, is the same make and model as his own, maybe the same color scheme even, but it looks outstanding. Why, you may well ask? Well, it is because of the selection of accessories and add-ons that have been chosen for this particular type of vehicle.

Accessories can make any vehicle look exceptional, provided that they are chosen wisely and are professionally fitted. A highly polished set of mag wheels that are designed for the vehicle, can set it off from the rest. Tinted windows, iridescent paint and decorative hood ornaments can also enhance a vehicles visual appeal.

Of course, the regular application of a high quality polish will protect the paint work, keep the vehicle looking at its best and retain the autos original appearance. Attention should also be given to cleaning exterior trim items and regularly apply tire black to the tires and mud flaps.

As the public depends more and more on their autos for transport, they find that they are spending much more time inside their vehicles either commuting or enjoying recreational activities. This trend has increased the need for selective auto accessories, as motorists choose to add a variety of creature comforts to their autos, in order to make their commuting and driving tasks more enjoyable.

Auto barns and auto warehouses throughout the country stock a comprehensive range of accessories that include, not only tools, paints and spare parts but high performance surround sound systems that will allow drivers to listen to their favorite music, the latest news, their company reports or training CDs.

Commuting is not such a chore when your auto is air conditioned and equipped with cruise control, has plush seating that is fully adjustable and has an excellent sound system. Drink warmers or coolers are available, as is just about any conceivable device that will ad to the modern motorists comfort.

Next time that you are passing by an auto accessory warehouse, pop inside and take a look around. You will be absolutely amazed at the quantity of merchandise that is available to make the average motorists journey more enjoyable.

Oze Parrot

You may republish this article as long as you include the authors name and provide an active link to: http://auto.erlypro.com

You have long hair and you are ready for an updo or long hair service and you go to a full service salon and what they dont offer long hair service. Guess its not so full service after all. So you go to another beautician and they dont know what to do either. Why is that? Some of the reasons hairstylists dont offer long hair or updo service is because:

None of their clients have long hair
Never learned how
Takes too long
Learned, tried it, but got out of practice and forgot
Too confusing

To the hairstylist, watching is easy. But when you are actually doing the work, it becomes confusing. Its hard for a hairstylist to get and keep clients. If you are able to offer total hair services, including long hair, then youll be keeping new clients instead of sending them away. One way to help you get over some of the points listed above is to practice on a wig or mannequin. When you are in-between appointments, this will offer you practice to gain confidence and allows you to display your work to your customers.

If you are good at long hair, then you need to be the hairstylist that your competitors send their customers to. Advertise that you do long hair. There are plenty that dont do long hair and this approach may get you the client list you need.

Let the bridal shops know you are available, along with the formal dress shops. Girls going to prom always want fancy hairstyles. Offer your services free to the bridal show as a promotion for your business. This helps you gain more updo customers and helps the bridal shop. Win-win.

You can also create a photo album of the mannequins you have been practicing on, or on customers. This will give prospective customers your ability and creativity level. Another idea is to work with a clothing store on their special event or sale days and offer your services to attract customers. You can make these books up inexpensively with a digital camera and color copies. Have them bound with some of your business cards and ask if you can display them at the bridal shops.

Complimentary cards are very good, too. You can offer a discount on the back of the card. When a client gets their hair done, then give them some cards to hand out when they are asked where they got such a cute hairstyle. This works especially well at high schools before proms and dances. As always, if they dont need long hair services, they will probably pass the card onto a friend.

How much should you charge or expect to pay for long hair or updo services? Well, its different all over the country, but in general, the price should be at least $5 over the normal hairstyle whether its a shampoo and blowdry. Be prudent in your pricing as if you get a client that will only require 15 minutes for a braid or a quick updo, then you may not want to charge more.

Stuart Simpson
Pictures of Updo hairstyles at:
http://www.formal-tuxedo.com

Sexuality is so hugely out of balance within humanity.

All males ever want to do is to have sex. Constantly.

Even 95 year old males hang out over the ideas of having sex - even if they cannot "get it up".

Females, on the other hand, could quite easily live without sex. A lot of what is currently going down is just the advertising of sex and this "sexual liberation" of females is nothing more than the "western male mind" conversion.

Love, or heart, has nothing to do with it. It is straight out "me and mine." What I can get for myself.

Basically, the female just wants to be loved - as does the male, of course.

If the female can feel loved without having to put up with the nonsense that males put out, then she will gladly do so. This is not to say that the female does not go to the head and have moments of wanting to just have sex - even the vibration of a washing machine will do in this kind of circumstance.

It is not about becoming celibate or any other tactic of suppression either.

It is about entering the heart - being the heart. Being the one that you already are in this very moment right now - that is love.

Naturally, if two intimates meet at the heart then an "explosion" of two hearts "meeting-beating" will flower. This is vastly different than wanting an orgasm to relieve yourself of all kinds of pent up and misguided energy because of the suffering of who you think you are.

After a few weeks of "falling in love" have transpired between a couple, it is in no time at all that the "gloss" of having "fallen in love" wears off, and the couple are left with the frustrations of who they think they are and its accompanying unhappiness, along with the attempt to hang onto and recreate the previous moments of pleasure that had just been experienced.

There is no escaping the prison of your own making.

Relationship is about loving an "other" and to continue growing with that "other" in love - in being.

Being who you are together.

Discovering self, the heart, together.

Check out Elyshas videos and His website. Elysha is a profoundly clear self-realized teacher of the heart. Everything is clearly given on what you need to do to free up from the bind of the mind and to stand free as the heart, your self.