In this issue
	Icebreakers for Teams Activity: Scavenger Hunt Closer: Just One More Thing Curriculum Strategy: Development Clubs

Icebreakers for Teams

Here are three ideas for team building icebreakers. All will help teams get to know each other better, and have some fun at the same time. You can choose one icebreaker, or combine them and have different people share different information. Most Unusual Job: Have each person share their most unusual or interesting job. Mine was as a potato chip demonstrator - offering people chips in a grocery store. When people share their jobs, the team learns a little more about some of the skills of its team members. My Song: Have each person share a song that fits their philosophy of life. You can even have them sing the song! You will get everything from What a Wonderful World to I Can't Drive 55. Movie Pitch: Have small teams develop a movie pitch that describes their team today and in the future (with success, of course). Here's an example of what you might get: It's like Groundhog Day where we keep living the same day over and over again, but we learn how to make it better so that we succeed.

Activity: Scavenger Hunt

Are you looking for ways to make content-heavy training more interesting? Try something from your childhood - the Scavenger Hunt. That's where you get a list of things you need to collect and then try to find them, either alone or with a partner. The same concept is ideal for helping people learn to use a reference guide, new software, or other content-rich material. Here's an example. Let's say you're teaching someone how to use the Help tool in a new software application. Create a Scavenger Hunt filled with questions that can be answered using the Help function. Another application is with new hire orientation. You generally have a lot of policy information and company history to cover. Give them the reference material and a Hunt List, and have them find the information. Then review your list and the answers. This makes training go faster for everyone, and helps people become familiar with new information. Give them a time limit to complete the Hunt, and award a prize to the fastest person with a perfect score. If your goal is for people to learn how to use a document or reference tool, the Scavenger Hunt is a great activity.

Closer: Just One More Thing

Do you remember the old TV show called Columbo? It was about a bumbling detective who appeared to be very scattered, but was actually quite sharp. His style was to ask a few simple questions, start to leave, and then say, "Just one more thing..." Then he would ask the really important question that revealed key information about the case. This activity is a variation on that technique. At the end of the workshop, tell people that they may have some additional questions or issues about whatever you've been teaching, and you want to give them a chance to ask those remaining questions. Instruct each person to write down one question on a 3x5 card. Divide the group into pairs: one will be Person A, the other Person B. The rest of the activity will be done in rounds, mixing pairs as you go. Match two pairs and instruct Persons A to share with their colleagues the question they wrote. Their colleagues should try to provide answers or ideas to the questions. Allow 5 minutes for each foursome to discuss two questions. Then rotate pairs and have Persons B ask their questions. Continue rotating for several rounds as time permits. Wrap it up by having participants chat with their partner about the suggestions they heard and how they might use them.

Curriculum Strategy: Development Clubs

You've probably seen the research that says 90% of all learning happens on the job. That means we have an opportunity to improve the way we approach development by expanding beyond traditional training solutions. Consider creating professional development clubs to respond to that opportunity. Development Clubs are long-term groups that allow individuals to focus on development in a specific competency or skill area, and work with others with similar development goals. You might have a Supervisor Development Club, Leadership Development Club, Project Management Development Club, and so on. Members join the Club for a given period of time (6 months or a year) and complete a series of scheduled development activities during that time. Those activities can include training (short, focused modules on one specific topic), reading and discussing a book or case study, application assignments (action to take on the job), and monthly member meetings to discuss application, development, and challenges. Keep in mind these guidelines as you create your Club: Establish a structure for the time needed each month (4-8 hours is reasonable), and communicate that to potential members. Set a maximum number of members for each club so that a camaraderie develops within the club. Gain commitment in advance that members will participate fully. See what you can do to change the way people think about their professional development.