After A Team Building Exercise Baltimore MD Companies Experience Increased Productivity

By Betty Foster


Modern business practices have moved away from the old hierarchy system to an approach where smaller groups of people that work together take a more direct responsibility for their work, their decisions and their results. For this to work the group needs to be cohesive and able to achieve consensus on major issues. Groups need to bond and grow together. So, for a result driven team building exercise Baltimore MD companies need to think about using professionals for the job.

It has become very popular to send working groups on special excursions that are supposed to allow members of the group to interact with each other, to get to know each other and to learn techniques that will improve their productivity and contentment at work. Both personal and group development and growth is desired from these excursions, which vary in length from a single day to a few days.

This field has shown tremendous growth. There are numerous contractors advertising their services as human development professionals that specialize in developing groups. Then there are motivational speakers and a host of others that offer special activities such as white water rafting, drumming, fire walking, nature outings and many others. They all promise that they can help the group to work together more productively and grow individually.

Word that there is money to be made in this field has spread quickly and there are, sadly, many facilitators that have no or very little experience or qualifications. Reputable facilitators will be more than willing to submit valid references and proof of their qualifications and experience. Many are members of reputable professional organizations. They are able to offer a wide variety of activities and venues.

It is also vital to arrange an information session with prospective contractors prior to inviting quotations. During this session the client needs to make the objectives that it wishes to achieve very clear. Other matters such as the budget available and time constraints must also be discussed as well as the number of participants and special needs such as facilities for disabled people. Only with this information in hand can any reputable contractor prepare a quotation.

Quotations should clearly indicate how the intended objectives will be achieved and a selection of possible activities and lectures should also be submitted, the value of each clearly indicated. If sub contractors will be used, reasons should be provided why they are deemed necessary. Facilitators should preferably present their proposals personally. The participants should then have input in the program before a final decision is made.

When a group returns from a development excursion, they should compile a report. This report should confirm that the entire program proceeded as set out in the one submitted by the contractor. It should also provide details regarding the benefits gained during the excursion, the lessons learned and recommendations about future excursions. Specific problems encountered should also be highlighted.

In the modern business environment productivity, creativity and work groups that accept responsibility for their roles in the company are all very high priorities. The company has a responsibility to help employees and groups of employees to develop personally and as groups. In the end it is the company that will benefit.




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