Our own Team Building

I had been expecting things to be quieter this week as business tends to decrease when the school holidays start, however it's been busy and we've had three or four events most days and five today. There are a few over the weekend but the main event is our own company team building. Last year we went to Paulton's Park and enjoyed the rides but this year it's more serious. We're going camping complete with team activities; high ropes etc, a barbecue and plenty of drinks afterwards. The itinerary went around the office this morning and we found out that we also have a drama workshop. Opinions are divided and some are really upset about it. It's fascinating to observe as this is what happens within our client companies in the run up to their events. There's always plenty to learn!

Mid Week Teambuilding Report

The Game Fair at Blenheim went extremely well. Pulse Ranger was very popular, but mainly with children. It works well for both children and adults. Rowan Atkinson was there with his son and they had a go on Laser Clays; he was fairly quiet but polite. This is the last busy week before the holiday lull. Usually the end of July and all of August is more quiet but this year it has carried on later. We will probably only have about 40 events through the whole of August because people go on holiday and firms therefore don't organise events. September through to November will then be very busy as the events start again and make up for lost time. No strange events or incidents to report.

Blenheim Palace

Lots of events today but all pretty straight forward; Command Tasks, Laser Clay Shooting, a Treasure Hunt, some Team Building theory, that sort of thing. I am spending the next three days at Blenheim Palace at the CLA Game Fayre where we will have Laser Clays and Pulse Ranger which is a Laser combat game; like paintball without the pain. We charge the public but it's also a promotional opportunity. So, I've been clearing my desk and preparing for a weekday out of the office. I'm quite looking forward to a break, albeit a hard working one. The total immersion in something with no time to think of yesterday or tomorrow can be as relaxing as a holiday.

More Team Building

Just one event today but tomorrow is very busy with five large events, mostly of a team building nature. There's lots of preparation in the unit today; vans being loaded, kit prepared. A couple of the events are a fair trek away so the teams arrive this afternoon, head to the venue and stay overnight in a Travel Lodge. This became company policy last year - previously we have left early and come home late. However, it's safer this way and clients get a fresh team rather than a tired one. The James Bond event went well at the weekend. There were one or two hitches, but there are on most events - the key is not to have zero problems but to make sure that clients don't feel any problems that there are. That's what separates the best Event Managers from the average or bad ones.

James Bond Theme

Just off to Beaulieu Motor Museum where we have a huge James Bond themed event for 500 people in a huge marquee. We have dancers, decorations, staff dressed as henchmen, lookalikes, casino tables etc. It's a massive event and I won't be finished until about 3 a.m. tomorrow.

Rib Riding on The Solent

Four events today, one of which is a team building Treasure Hunt on The Solent in RibTec speedboats. These are the high speed inflatable side but rigid hull boats used by special forces, the Coastguard etc. They are fantastic fun and teams always come back with huge grins set on their faces. The Treasure Hunt visits towns on the mainland and The Isle of Wight. The other three events are a Go Mad (murder mystery / treasure hunt), Laser Clay Shooting and other activities and finally an It's A Knockout tournament. No staff problems today, no lost Treasure Hunt characters, no rain. In fact the only problem was that the doors jammed shut on one of the vans so we couldn't offload it. One of the reasons we moved into our new premises is that we are opposite a large van hire business - extremely useful for emergency van hire and repairs.   You can find out more about any of our team building events by visiting our website.

Seagull moved on by Police!

Just two events today but plenty of action. We had a big Treasure Hunt in London and one of our characters, dressed in a seagull suit in Trafalgar Square, was moved on by the Police. We managed to find a new location and all of the teams were informed. It all adds to the fun and memorability of the event. That is important because if the fun and games are remembered and discussed in the future it adds to the team building effect. The weather has improved. We're considering adding Inflatable Volley Ball to our range of activities. It's good team building and would stand well next to Human Table Football, of which we now have two sets because it is so popular.

Midweek status

Four events today; one It's A Knockout, one team building day, a day of motorised activities in Bournemouth and a session of Falconry at Tylney Hall Hotel. The latter is fairly straightforward as we just send in a falconer but the other days required four vehicles, 20 staff and all of the usual logistical effort. All went well though. The weather is showing signs of picking up. I do feel for clients who plan a big day for months and then have bad weather on the day. Having said that we have run some excellent events in atrocious weather. The event in Budapest is coming along. I think I will go - it's not a country I've visited and it sounds interesting.

London Treasure Hunt etc

Today is a less hectic day with just two events. We have a day of Team Building Challenges for the Health & Safety Executive, so we are being very safety concious (we always are!) and we also have a London Treasure Hunt. In this event we have two costumed characters and one of these (the Cheeky Chilli) phoned in sick last night. We have managed to get a replacement, but it's always a challenge when this sort of thing happens. So, all is well today. We're collecting in costumes for this weekend's Eurovision Song Contest event. There are some pretty wild ones. I almost wonder if clients will actually wear them, but they always get into the swing of it in the end.

Summer Weather!

This weather is appalling for July. Outdoor team building events tend to be a seasonal thing because, naturally, people want to be outdoors when the weather is nice. We have four events running today and it feels more like November. Hopefully this means better weather later in the year, but it's not good.

We are currently working on a proposal for a Pink Panther themed Murder Mystery to be delivered in Budapest. The team really like events in other countires. The only problem is deciding who gets to go. Earlier this year we sent a team out to La Manga and the schedule meant that there was a spare day before and after the event with accommodation and meals provided. We have to draw lots, as everyone wanted the sunbathing time by the pool.