Category Archives: Downloads
Introducing a Person
Date]
Mr./Ms./Dr. Recipient
Street Address, including Unit or Suite Number
City, State Zip Code
Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. Recipient
Re: Name of Person Being Introduced
I am writing to introduce you to [name of person], who joined/will be joining our company on [date]. He/she will be [provide some information about this person's title and function with your company.]
[In this part of the letter, you give more information about the person's duties. Tell the reader about his or her previous employment, and what this person will be doing for the reader and the reader's business. Use a paragraph or two to outline this information.]
[In this section provide the reader with information about the new person's educational background and credentials. This is your opportunity to indicate why the person is qualified to help the reader.]
[Wrap up the letter by telling the reader how to contact the new person or indicating that he or she will be looking after the reader's account from this point forward, as appropriate. You may also want to tell the reader that the new hire will be in touch with the reader shortly.]
Sincerely,
Your Name
Your Title
A fantastic Stereo 3D Movie from Sony (Two World)… Red-Cyan Glass Needed
Sony – Two Worlds – Anaglyph from Spy3D on Vimeo.
The Finance Act 2011
| Name | : The Finance Act 2011 |
| Title | : The Finance Act 2011 |
| Act Number | : 12 of 2011 |
| Summary | : This law is related to the implementation of Government financial proposals for the FY of 2011-12 |
| Ministry | : Ministry of Finance |
| Agency | : Internal Resources Division(IRD) |
| Sub Agency | : |
| Date of Issue | : বৃহস্পতিবার, 30 জুন 2011 |
| Date in Force | : বৃহস্পতিবার, 30 জুন 2011 |
| Date expired | : |
| Date of Publishing | : বৃহস্পতিবার, 30 জুন 2011 |
MirrorFolder–Realtime Backup Software
Most of time, I always forget to backup my information in a backup folder. I have found a software over internet. Just download it and have the fun I have. The Problem is the software is not free.
Name of the Software: Mirror Folder
Michael Jackson “"Michael" 2010 Lyrics
"Hold My Hand"
(duet with Akon)
Uh, oh,…
Uh…
[Akon]
Akon and MJ (oh, yeah)
[Michael]
Yeah
This life don’t last forever (hold my hand)
So tell me what we’re waiting for? (hold my hand)
Better off being together (hold my hand)
Being miserable alone (hold my hand)
[Both]
’cause I been there before and you’ve been there before,
But together we can be alright (alright, yeah)
’cause when it gets dark and when it gets cold
we hold each other ’til we see the sunlight.
So if you just hold my hand,
Baby, I promise that I’ll do all I can
Things will go better if you just hold my hand
Nothing can come between us if you just hold, hold my, hold, hold my, hold my hand, hold my hand.
[Akon]
The nights are gettin’ darker (darker) (hold my hand)
And there’s no peace inside (inside) (hold my hand, oh, yeah).
So why make our lives harder (hold my hand)
By fighting love tonight, baby?
(So hold)
[Together]
’cause I been there before and you’ve been there before,
But together we can be alright (alright).
’cause when it gets dark and when it gets cold
We hold each other ’til we see the sunlight (oh, yeah)
So if you just hold my hand,
Baby, I promise that I’ll do all I can (if you just, if you just).
Things will go better if you just hold my hand (yeah)
Nothing can come between us if you just hold, hold my, hold, hold my, hold my hand, hold my hand.
[Bridge]
I can tell that you’re tired of being lonely (yeah)
Take my hand, don’t let go, baby, hold me (yeah)
Come to me, let me be your one and only (hold my hand)
’cause I can make it alright ’til the morning (hold my hand)
I can tell that you’re tired of being lonely (hold my hand)
Take my hand, don’t let go, baby, hold me (hold me)
Come to me, let me be your one and only (one and only)
’cause I can make it alright ’til the morning (hold my hand)
Hold my hand (yeah)
Baby, I promise (hold my hand) that I’ll do all I can (hold my hand)
Things will go better if you just hold my hand
Nothing can come between us if you just hold, hold my, hold, hold my, hold my hand, hold my hand
Hold my hand (yeah, yeah)
All I can (yeah, yeah, hold my hand)
Hold my hand
Nothing can come between us if you just hold, hold my, hold, hold my, hold my hand, hold my hand.
"Hollywood Tonight"
Lipstick in hand
Tahitian tanned
in her painted on jeans
She dreams of fame
She changed her name
To one that fits the movie screen
She’s headed for the big time, that means
She’s going Hollywood
She’s going Hollywood tonight
She’s going Hollywood
She’s going Hollywood tonight
She’s going Hollywood
She’s going Hollywood tonight
It’s true, that you, may never ever have that chance again
West bound Greyhound
To tinsel town
Just to pursue her movie star dreams
She’s giving hot tricks to men
just to get in
When she was taught that that’s not clean
She’s headed for the big time, that means
She’s going Hollywood
She’s going Hollywood tonight
She’s going Hollywood
She’s going Hollywood tonight
She’s going Hollywood
She’s going Hollywood tonight
It’s true, that you, may never ever have that chance again (that chance again)
[Spoken words:]
She gave up her life, to follow her dreams
Left behind everything, for the movie scene
Nothing more she could want, she was determined to follow her plan
She wanted Hollywood, she wanted it bad
Now that she got her dream, she became a star
It all looked so good, but only good from afar
Imprisoned in every paparazzi’s camera, every guy wished they could
Now it’s back to reality, for Ms. Hollywood
Lipstick in hand
Tahitian tanned
in her painted on jeans
She dreams of fame
She changed her name
To one that fits the movie screen
She’s headed for the big time, that means
She’s going Hollywood
She’s going Hollywood tonight
She’s going Hollywood
She’s going Hollywood tonight
She’s going Hollywood
She’s going Hollywood tonight
It’s true, that you, may never ever have that chance again (that chance again)
"Keep Your Head Up"
She’s looking for a job and a finer place to stay,
She’s looking for the hope in the empty promises
She’s working two jobs, keeping alive,
She works in a restaurant night and day,
She waits her life away,
She wipes her tears away.
She cries inside everytime she feels this way
And she’s dyin’ inside everytime her baby cries
No…
[Chorus:]
Keeping your head up to the sky!
Keeping your mind to stay alive,
Give me your wings so we can fly!
Keep your head up, tonight!
Keeping your head up to the sky,
Or we can just rise up, tell me now
Give me your wings so we can fly!
Killing up the life in the birds and the trees,
And we’re suckin’ up the air in the Earth from under me (it’s never too late)
I can’t even breathe (just lean on me),
I can’t even see!
Keep your head up, don’t give up, today!
How long can we wait?
I wish that love would come today!
All you need is love,
I tell you I know it’s coming soon
And all you need is just a moment, won’t it do
Keep your head up!
[Chorus:]
Keeping your head up to the sky!
Keeping your mind to stay alive,
Give me your wings so we can fly (fly away, fly away, fly away)
Keep your head up, tonight!
Keeping your head up to the sky,
Or we can just rise up, tell me now
Give me your wings so we can fly, oh, my…
Everybody say that time is borrowed,
And hangin’ down your head just ain’t no good
And if you dare to rise above tomorrow
Just give yourself a chance,
Fight the circumstance,
Rise and do it again
[Chorus:]
Keeping your head up to the sky!
Keeping your mind to stay alive,
Give me your wings so we can fly
Keeping your head up to the sky,
Or we can just rise up, tell me now
Give me your wings so we can fly!
[in background:]
I need your love
I need you now
I need your light right here today
I need you now
Keeping your head up to the sky!
Keeping your mind to stay alive,
Give me your wings so we can fly
Keeping your head up to the sky,
Or we can just rise up, tell me now
Give me your wings so we can fly!
"(I Like) The Way You Love Me"
[Verse 1:]
I was alone in the dark when I met ya
Uuuuuuuuuuh uuuuuuh
You took my hand and you told me you loved me
Uuuuuuuuuuh uuuuuuh
I was alone, there was no love in my life
(I was alone, there was no love in my life)
I was afraid of life and you came in time
(I was afraid of life and you came in time)
You took my hand and we kissed in the moonlight
(You took my hand and we kissed in the moonlight)
Uuuuuuuuuuh uuuuuuh
[Chorus:]
I like the way how you’re holdin’ me
It doesn’t matter how you’re holdin’ me
I like the way you’re lovin me’
It doesn’t matter how you are lovin’ me
I like the way how you’re touchin’ me
It doesn’t matter how you are touchin’ me
I like the way how you’re kissin’ me
It doesn’t matter how you are kissin’ me
You’ll seeeee…
[Verse 2:]
…it won’t be long ’til we make vows, I bet ya
Uuuuuuuuuuh uuuuuuh
I thank the Heavens above that I met ya
Uuuuuuuuuuh uuuuuuh
I was alone, there was no love in my life
(I was alone, there was no love in my life)
I was afraid of life and you came in time
(I was afraid of life and you came in time)
You took my hand and we kissed in the moonlight
(You took my hand and we kissed in the moonlight)
Uuuuuuuuuuh
[Chorus 2:]
I like the way how you’re lovin’ me
It doesn’t matter how you are holdin’ me
I like the way how you’re holdin’ me
It doesn’t matter how you re lovin’ me
I like the way how you’re touchin’ me
It doesn’t matter how you are touchin’ me
I like the way how you’re kissin’ me
It doesn’t matter how you are kissin’ me
[Verse 3:]
The world’s a better place
’cause you came in time,
You took away the rain and brought the sunshine,
I was afraid ’cause I was hurt the last time,
Uuuuuuuuuuh Ahhhhhhhh.
[Chorus:]
I like the way how you’re holdin’ me,
It doesn’t matter how you are holdin’ me,
I like the way how you’re lovin’ me,
It doesn’t matter how you are lovin’ me,
I like the way how you’re touchin’ me,
It doesn’t matter how you are touchin’ me,
I like the way how you’re kissin’ me,
It doesn’t matter how you are kissin’ me,
You’ll seeeee.
Uuuuuuuuuuh uuuuuuh [12x]
Chcksthtshtshtsh
Lalalalala lalalalala lalalalalalala
"Monster"
(feat. 50 Cent)
You can look at them coming out the walls
You can look at them climbing out the bushes
You can find them when the letter’s bout to fall
He be waiting with his camera right on focus
Everywhere you seem to turn
there’s a monster
When you look up in the air there’s a monster
Paparazzi got you scared like a monster, monster, monster
(Too bad)
Oh oh Hollywood it’s got you jumping like you should
(Too bad)
It’s got you bouncing off the wall
It’s got you drunk enough to fall
(Too bad)
Oh oh Hollywood just look in the mirror
And tell me you like
Don’t you, don’t you like it
Monster
He’s a monster
He’s an animal
Monster (yea-eah)
He’s a monster
He’s an animal
He’s coming at ya
Coming at ya rather too fast
Mama say mama got you in a zig zag
And you’re running
And you’re running just to escape it
But they are gunning for the money
So they fake it
Everywhere you seem to turn
there’s a monster
When you look up in the air there’s a monster
When you see them in the street
that’s a monster, monster, monster
(Too bad)
Oh oh Hollywood it’s got you jumping like you should
It’s got you bouncing off the wall
It’s got you drunk enough to fall
(Too bad)
Oh oh Hollywood just look in the mirror
And tell me you like what you see
Monster
(he’s like an animal)
He’s a monster
(just like an animal)
He’s an animal
(and he’s moving in the air)
Monster
He’s a monster
He’s an animal
(everybody wanna be a star)
Why are they never satisfied with all you give, yeh, yeh, yeh, yeah
You give them your all
They’re watching you fall
And they eat your soul like a vegetable
[50 Cent]
Catch me in a bad mood, flippin’ you’ll take a whippin’
animal, hannibal, cannibal addition
tears appear, yeah, blurring your vision
fear in the air, screaming, your blood drippin’
shiver a second, now, now, now, now what is it
funeral’s, cemetaries, don’t worry it’s time to visit
broke bones, tombstones, how do you think I’m kidding
its home, sweet home, the land of the forbidden
all hell, run tell, the King has risen
2010 Thriller, there’s nothing iller, it’s killer
there vision, the missin’ the pack, this is that,
this the bomb, ring the alarm
MJ number 1, it’s goes on and on
its goes on and on
we get to crippin’, its running in the early morn’
keep on dreaming there’s nowhere to run
you can drive but you done
I can feel it in the air, here the monster come.
[Michael Jackson]
Too bad, oh oh Hollywood it’s got you jumping like you should
It’s got you bouncing off the wall
It’s got you drunk enough to fall
(Too bad)
Oh oh Hollywood just making it clearer
And tell me you like
Don’t you don’t you like it
Monster
(she wanna be a star)
He’s a monster
(say you wanna go far)
He’s an animal
(Why do you keep stalking me)
Monster
(what you do to me)
He’s a monster
(why did you take, why did you fake it)
He’s an animal
(yee-aah, why are stalking me)
Monster
(why are you haunting me)
He’s a monster
(why are you stalking me)
He’s an animal
(why did you do it, why did you, why are you stalking me)
Monster
(why are you haunting me)
He’s a monster
(why are you haunting me)
He’s an animal
(Why did you, why did you)
He’s dragging you down like a monster
he’s keeping you down like a monster
He’s dragging you down like a monster
He’s keeping you down like a monster
"Best Of Joy"
I gave you joy, your best of joy
I am the moon light, you are the spring, our life’s a sacred thing
You know I always will love you, I am forever
I am the one who came when you fell down
I was the only one around (the only one around)
When things will hurt you
I am forever.
Wasn’t it I who said that you are free?
Wonder if it seems so hard to be, and things would hurt you
I am forever, I am forever
We are forever, we are forever
I am a friend through thick and thin
We need each other,
We’ll never part,
Our love is from the heart
We never say, "I don’t need you"
We are forever
I am the one who said that you are free
When it seems so hard to be the only one
And nothing would cheer you
I am forever
Wasn’t it I who carried you around?
When all the words keep turning down
When things would hurt you
I am forever, I am forever
We are forever, we are forever
You are the sun in the Southern sky, when things are shaded
Let go and then we do get back, I was the only one around
When things would hurt you
We are forever, I am forever, we are forever, I am forever
We are forever, … keep on, we are forever, … keep on, have to be strong
We are forever, we are forever, oh right
I am forever, we are forever, I am forever, we are forever, we are forever
I am forever, I am forever.
"Breaking News"
Everybody wanting a piece of Michael Jackson
Reporters stalking the moves of Michael Jackson
Just when you thought he was done
He comes to give it again
They could print it around the world today
He wanna write my obituary
No matter what, you just want to read it again
No matter what, you just want to feel it again
[Chorus:]
Why is it strange that I would fall in love?
Who is that boogieman you’re thinking of?
How am I crazy cause I just don’t know
This is breaking news
This is breaking news
Everybody watching the news on Michael Jackson
They wanna see that I fall cause I’m Michael Jackson
You write the words to destroy like it’s a weapon
You turned your back on a love and you can’t get it again.
No matter what, you just want to read it again
No matter what, you just want to feel it again
[Chorus x2:]
Why is it strange that I would fall in love?
Who is that boogieman you’re thinking of?
How am I crazy cause I just don’t know
This is breaking news
This is breaking news
All the news today, they say we’re crazy (celebrity)
And on the screen today, we’re on display (baby)
[Chorus x2:]
Why is it strange that I would fall in love?
Who is that boogieman you’re thinking of?
How am I crazy cause I just don’t know
This is breaking news
This is breaking news
You’re breaking the news!
"(I Can’t Make It) Another Day"
(feat. Lenny Kravitz)
My life has taken me beyond the planets and the stars
And you’re the only one that could take me this far
I’ll be forever searching for your love
I walked away but I was wrong (I can’t make it another day)
You’re the one that makes me strong (I can’t fake it another day)
You’re the fire that keeps me warm (I can’t make it another day)
How will I get through this storm? (I can’t make another day without your love)
At night pray before I sleep in hope of finding you
I’ve opened up my heart, I want you to come through
I close my eyes, I’m searching for your love
[x2]
I walked away but I was wrong (I can’t make it another day)
You’re the one that makes me strong (I can’t fake it another day)
You’re the fire that keeps me warm (I can’t make it another day)
How will I get through this storm? (I can’t make another day without your love)
"Behind The Mask"
All along I had to talk about it
But like a two-edged sword
it cuts you and it stabs me
All along I knew you were a phony girl
You sit behind the mask
and you control your world
You sit around and I watch your face
I try to find the truth
But that’s your hiding place
You say you love me but it’s hard to see
Cos when he’s in your arms
You’re throwing rocks at me
Who do you love?
Is it me?
With you?
I don’t know
Who do you love?
I don’t want ya
If you can’t answer
You know me
(There is nothing in your eyes)
There is nothing in your eyes
(But that’s the way you cry)
But that’s the way you cry girl (Cry girl)
(All is grand, all is bright)
All is grand, all is bright
(You’re just studying my mind)
I Walk around i’m suffering in my doom
When I come to you
Your sitting in your room
You sit around in the strangest place
So take off the mask, so I can see your face
Who do you love?
Is it me?
With You?
I don’t know
Who do you love, babe?
I don’t want ya
If you can’t answer
I know you
(Heaven must be wary)
Heaven must be wary
(Your smile is scary)
You got me scared, girl
(Insincere, empty tears)
Every Year, yours are good
(Where’s your soul? Where’d it go?)
You got me scared, girl
(Heaven must be wary)
Heaven must be wary
(Your smile is scary)
You know where you’ve been
(Insincere, empty tears)
Every year, na na na
(Where’s your soul? Where did it go?)
I Walk around i’m suffering in my doom
And when I come to you
Your sitting in your room
You sit around in the strangest place
So take off the mask
So I can see your face
Who do you love?
Is it me?
With you?
I dont know
Who do you love, babe?
I don’t want ya
If you can’t answer
I know you
Who do you love?
Is it me?
With you?
I don’t know
Who do you love?
I don’t want ya
If you can’t answer
I don’t know
I don’t wanna talk about it (let’s talk about it)
I don’t wanna talk about it (let’s talk about it)
I don’t wanna talk about it (let’s talk about it)
"Much Too Soon"
She was there just sitting at the table
Thinking now that things won’t be the same
And wouldn’t you like to go with me?
And she answered "No" to me but
I guess I learned my lesson much to soon
I never thought she’d leave me here forever
But who knows just what the future brings
And wouldn’t you like to go with me?
And she answered "No" to me but
I guess I learned my lesson much too soon
Take away this never ending sorrow
Take this lonely feeling from my soul
If only I knew what things bring tomorrow
She’d be sitting here beside me
And my heart would then be whole
I hope to make a change now for the better
Never letting fate control my soul
And I’m hoping that my prayers will see
Day that you’ll come back to me
But I guess I learned my lesson much too soon
Oh, oh
Yes, I guess I learned my lesson much too soon
অনন্তে সীমান্তে
তোমাকে নিয়ে সমুদ্র দেখার ইচ্ছেটা
জেগে আছে আজ অবধি
তোমার হাত কে হাতে রেখে
তোমার মুখে হাসির শব্দে
চারিদিকে বাতাসের কোলাহল শুনবো
বাতাসের কন্ঠে থাকবে ভালবাসার গান
সঙ্গে থাকবে তোমার চুলের গন্ধ
দুজনে যেন হারিয়ে যাব
অনন্ত সীমানার শেষ সীমান্তে
Team Building Activities
Action Intros
Focus: Learning Names
Make a standing circle. Have one person start by saying an action and their name. The action should start with the same letter as their name, like energetic Eric or jumping Jill. When they say their action and name, they can also act out their action. So, jumping Jill would jump up and down. Have the entire group go around and repeat everyone’s actions and names each time a new person introduces him or herself.
TAG!
Focus: Get Moving
Here are two variations of tag that will keep participants upbeat and interested. Hospital Tag Every participant is “it” and also has three lives. When a player is tagged once, he must put this hand on the part of his body where he was tagged. The second time, he puts his other hand on that spot. The third time he is tagged, he is out. Participants will get a kick out of watching people run around with their hands on ankles or backs while trying to tag others. Clothes Pin Tag Bring enough clothespins for every player to have at least three. Again, everyone is it. Give them a certain amount of time to tag as many people with clothespins as they can. When time is called, players with one or no clothespins on them are still in the game and can again play for one more round. There are many ways to mix this game up, but remind players that they’re not allowed to take the clothespins off once they have been tagged.
Concentric Circles
Focus: Get to Know One Another
Divide everyone into two groups. Have one group make a circle facing outward. The second group then makes a circle around the first group and faces inward. Everyone should be facing someone from the other circle. Each person can talk to the person across from them for a minute or two before you yell, “SWITCH”, and have one circle move to the left or right a few steps. If participants seem shy, give them a topic to talk about each rotation, such as movies, DECA, college, food, etc.
Move It Buddy
Focus: Memorizing Names
Stand in a circle, with one person in the middle. When the person in the middle says so, participants will be given 30 seconds to one minute to memorize the first, middle, and last name of the person to their left and right. After the minute is over, the person in the middle will point to somebody and say “left” or “right”. If he or she pauses or stumbles saying the full name, he or she is then in the middle. If everyone seems to know each others names right away, the person in the middle can call out, “Move It Buddy!” and everyone must rush to a new space and begin memorizing names again.
Middle
These activities and games are for people that have become more comfortable with each other. People aren’t as concerned about looking silly as long as other people are doing it too. More contact-oriented games are sometimes okay, but this must be gauged by watching the participants and their reactions. Sometimes these activities are good for the end of a shorter meeting. Keep in mind there is a substantial difference between a meeting early in the year and a meeting in the middle or towards the end of the year.
Blindfold Birthdays
Focus: Verbal Communication
There are many variations of this game. Begin by asking everyone to blindfold themselves (or close their eyes, but it’s oh-so-tempting to peek!). Then give them the task of lining themselves up in order of their birthdays. Variations include lining them up by height or weight or by allowing them to see, but not talk.
Two Truths and a Lie
Focus: Getting to Know One Another
Go around the group and have everyone say two true statements about themselves and one false. The rest of the group has to guess which one is false. If participants find it hard to think on the spot, give them index cards and let them write it down. Then, toss the cards into the middle of the circle so you have to guess who the person is and what is false. You may be surprised. You can learn some crazy things about each other!
Count Off
Focus: Non Verbal Communication
Begin by having the group stand in a bunch or sit on the ground in no order. The goal of this activity is to count to a number twice the number of people in your group. Participants can only say two numbers during the entire game. Also, only one person can say a number at a time. If two people say the same number, the group must begin counting again. Begin by giving them no prep time, but allow the group a minute to plan if they are having trouble.
I’m Making a Triangle
Focus: Brainteaser
This game may confuse and frustrate those who don’t understand at first. Choose three people in the group by saying, “Amanda, Collin, and Karie”. Then ask the question, “Whose triangle is it?” Participants will spend lots of energy and time trying to find a specific pattern, but there’s an easy solution. The first person to speak after you ask the question is who the triangle belongs to. It may take the group a long time to understand, so if needed, be very, very obvious. No matter how obvious you are, there will still be people who won’t get the pattern!
Floor Designs
Focus: Having Fun, Communication
This activity requires one package of computer or copier paper and a large, open floor space. Have one participant in the group draw a picture on a piece of paper of anything they’d like. Then, give the group the stack of paper and tell them to mimic the drawing on the floor. To make it more interesting, silence certain people in the group. For instance, only allow one person to do the talking and instructing or, perhaps, only the guys. If there is a large number of participants, divide the group in half and have the groups compete to see who can lay out a more accurate picture. This activity is especially fun if timed and allows for a fun photo opportunity at the end.
60 Second Speeches
Focus: Getting to Know One Another, Speaking Skills
Have different topics pre-written on pieces of paper about all sorts of different things (candy, state advisors, television, summer, DECA blazers, parents). One by one, participants will pick a topic from you and must give a 60 second speech however they would like. The only rule is that they must not stop talking or hesitate for the entire minute. You’ll be amazed at what some people end up talking about in just one minute!
End
Near the end (or sometimes middle) of the outing, conference, meeting, or among people that have spent a lot of time together, these activities are a great wrap up. Some are very physical and require lots of trust among the group. Make sure all participants are responsive to the activity before proceeding.
Human Knot
Focus: Teamwork
Everyone stands in a circle and puts their right hand into the middle. They clasp hands with someone across the circle. Then, everyone puts their left hand into the middle of the circle and clasps the hand of a *different* person. The group is now in a “knot”. The object is for the group to untangle itself without releasing anyone’s hand.
Have You Ever
Focus: Get Moving, Get To Know One Another
This is not a game for the first night! In two facing lines, tape small pieces of paper to mark spots for people to stand on. If you have 20 people, make 19 spots. Leave enough room between the lines for plenty of movement. The person without a spot stands in the middle and asks a question. “Have you ever eaten a kiwi?” Anyone who can say, “Yes”, must then leave their space and find a new one. They can’t stay in the same spot or move to a spot immediately to their left or right. Whoever is left without a spot now asks the next question. As a moderator of the game, don’t be afraid to “accidentally” not find a spot and be in the middle. In doing so, you can change the tone of the game to more serious questions or more humorous questions, depending on the group dynamic.
Highs and Lows
Focus: Getting Personal
An activity like this is good for a small group or a group that is coming to the close of a year. Hand out pipe cleaners to each participant and begin by doing the activity yourself. Start by tying a knot on one end and saying where you born, when, and to whom. Then, go through your past and identify the highs and lows you’ve experienced, while moving the pipe cleaner to display the ups and downs. Other variations that can make people more comfortable with the activity include describing only high school or this past year.
Replication
Focus: Working Together
This game usually takes about half an hour. The organizers of the game begin by finding multiples of objects. If you plan to have 3 groups, then find 4 objects (i.e. 4 binders, 4 pens, 4 pinecones, etc.). Then, where none of the participants can see, arrange one set of the objects. Maybe place the pen horizontally in the middle of the binder open to page 4 and put the pinecone centered above the binder. Then gather the participants, split them up into three groups, and explain the game. Each group has 2 builders, 1 or 2 runners, and 1 looker. The looker of each group gets to see the original model. Each group’s builders get a pile of the objects in a space away from the other teams’ builders. The interaction works like this: The lookers look at the original display and go halfway to the builders’ location, where the runner will be positioned. The looker tells the runner all of the details he can remember about the model. Then, the runner goes to builders. When the runner(s) get(s) to the builders, the builders can only ask the runner yes or no questions. “Does the pen go here? Is the binder open? Is it open to this page?” When the runner can’t remember anymore details or wants to confirm a detail, he goes back to the point where he can meet the looker. He can converse freely about the details. This goes on until all of the groups feel they are done or are pretty much done. Then, everyone gets together and looks at each groups finished model. Replication builds communication skills and is a good teambuilding effort. It’s fun, too, to look at the different results.
Essence Circle
Focus: Wrapping Up
This is great in the dark under a sky full of stars or at the end of a hard year of organizing. Everyone sits in a circle and puts their name into the middle (a hat or box). The person that begins chooses a name to describe but does not say the name. He doesn’t describe the person’s appearance or clothes; he describes the person’s essence. He talks about how this person (trying not to reveal gender) always helps make everyone feel better, is always willing to take the time to listen, etc. After a good description, people can say who they think it is. (Try to describe in enough detail that it really singles them out, or at least narrows it down to a few people.) Then the person they were describing describes the essence of another and so on until everyone has been described. It’s basically half an hour of compliments and can feel very motivating.
Team Building Activities: Whose Shoes?
Focus: Introductions
Have everyone sit or stand in a circle. Ask them to take their shoes off and immediately toss them into the middle of the circle. Begin by having one volunteer pick a pair of shoes; describe the owner (without knowing who it is). Ask for things such as age, hobbies, or attitude. When he is done describing the owner, he must guess whom the shoes belong to. Then, the real owner comes forward and continues the activity.
Team Building Activities: Pass the Clap
Focus: Having fun, Visual communication
Stand in a circle. One person has the “clap” in their hands and turns to face a person next
to them. About when they make eye contact or just when they are facing each other, they
clap simultaneously. Then, that next person has the clap and turns to pass it on. After it
has been passed around once and everyone has the hang of it, begin to time him or her.
Encourage people to move around, jump into a different part of the circle, and reverse it.
How to Run a Successful Team-Building Activity
Step 1. Before: Select an activity that’s good for your team.
The best team-building activity can become the worst team-building experience when there is no clear objective. Why spend the time, effort, and money on an activity if you can’t identify the business reason or team benefit you expect as a result? If all you want is to have some fun and kill some time, play a parlor game and enjoy. But if you want to improve your team’s effectiveness, you need to select an activity that will give you your desired results!
Start with a clear objective in mind. What, specifically, do you want your team to learn or accomplish? Think about it. Your goal should be:
➤ Attainable by your team.
➤ Relevant and applicable to where they are as a team right now.
➤ Something that will be reinforced long after this activity.
Plan on this activity being one of many small steps your team will start taking now. Remember, an effective team is built primarily on trust. Trust, and thus team-building, can rarely be accomplished in one giant leap.
Match your goal to the activity in this book that will best help you get the results you want. If there is more than one good match, do one activity now and another one at a later date.
A NOTE ON COMPETITION: Competition can be a good thing. It can excite, energize, and challenge people to participate better. Do not assume that competition naturally brings out the best in everyone, though. It can also deflate, discourage, and create unnecessary lingering conflict.
As the final judge in competitive activities, you risk becoming “the bad guy” as well. So only you can say how competitive you want your team-building activity to be. The most important thing is to be deliberate in your decision, so you can justify it with a clear objective if necessary. Consider:
➤ The current level of competition within the team.
➤ The emotional health of the participants in dealing with defeat.
➤ How intimidating or intimidated the participants are.
➤ Your ability to diffuse real conflict among the team members.
Step 2. Before: Prepare for your team-building activity.
You want to make sure you are ready for everyone to have a great learning experience. Fifteen minutes of planning and preparation ahead of time may not guarantee success, but it will certainly help you prevent disaster. Your activity will be most effective if you go into it feeling competent and confident.
Read through the entire activity several times. Make sure you are clear on what is to happen and when, why, and how. Visualize that activity happening successfully.
Obtain all necessary materials. Check the materials to make sure they will work well for the activity. For example, see that the dates on the pennies are legible, test the markers for any that have dried out, make sure there are no cards missing from the deck, and so forth. Assume nothing! Always have a few extras on hand, just in case.
Practice what you are going to say when you start the activity with your team. The best way to do this is to explain the activity to a friend or colleague. If he or she doesn’t understand you, figure out a way to explain things more clearly until he or she does.
If the activity requires you to have a role (card dealer, judge, moderator, etc.), practice your comments or actions. This will help you feel less nervous during the activity. It will also free your mind to focus on more important things (the participants’ reactions, the participants’
learning, your own observations, etc.) during the activity.
Set up the room. Make sure the tables, chairs, flipcharts, and/or other items are placed so that they contribute to the activity’s success. A classroom style row of chairs is usually the least conducive to team-building activities. Better choices include a large circle, a “U” shape, or small table groups (several individuals gathered around each table). Any specific setup information required for an activity is noted within that activity.
If the activity’s rules or steps are lengthy, write them ahead of time, and post them on the wall so everyone can see them throughout the activity.
Anticipate potential problems. Visualize the activity with your team, in your location. Ask yourself what could go wrong. Take action to prevent those problems from occurring and/or plan the corrective actions you can take if they do occur. The most common problems and how to avoid or deal with them are discussed in the next chapter.
Step 3. During: Explain the activity to the team.
A 1-minute introduction can make all the difference in setting your team up for success! People engage better when they know why they are doing something. They also participate better when they understand all the rules up front, and when they are clear on exactly what is expected of them.
Set the mood. Welcome the team with enthusiasm and optimism. Team-building is fun! Convey this right away. You don’t have to be a cheerleader; even a smile or a warm comment will let your team know they are in for a great time.
Explain what the activity is. Give a very brief overview of what you have planned, so the team can start getting interested and excited.
Explain why you are doing this particular activity. Share with the team what you hope to accomplish in the next 15 minutes. The more they see purpose to the activity, the more likely they will participate and learn what you want them to learn. For a few of the activities in this
book, however, you would ruin their impact by sharing the objective up front. In those cases, tell them there is an objective that will become clear to them in a few minutes. Make sure that objective is called out during the Debrief (the discussion that is held immediately after the
activity).
Explain the activity’s rules or steps. Don’t be afraid to read from this book, use notes, or even have them posted on the wall. Speak slowly, and pause after each one. Remember, they haven’t had time to read and reread the activity like you have. It’s usually easier to explain the
activity all at once before responding to any questions from the team.
Have the team move through the activity’s steps as you explain them. For example, if the first step of an activity is to divide the group into smaller teams, have them actually do that before you tell them the next step.
A NOTE ON TEAM SIZE: Most activities will not be ruined if smaller groups
are not exactly the same size. If the correct size is critical, the odd participant or two could be assigned the role of “Observer.” The Observer role is to quietly watch the others participate. During the Debrief, the Observer shares his or her unique observations.
A NOTE ON PAIRING UP: When an activity requires the participants to pair up, use your own participation to even things out. Participate if the number is odd; observe if it is even. Distribute the materials after you’ve fully explained the activity.
Otherwise, you risk people getting distracted by them and missing key points. Distribute the materials before the explanation only if you have found that the materials help people understand things better.
Step 4. During: Check for understanding before beginning.
People often hesitate to ask for help when they are confused. You can clarify misunderstandings with patience and some simple review questions.
You can keep competition from getting out of hand by laying down a few ground rules, but they must be agreed upon up front.
Make sure your team understands the activity. Asking “Do you understand?” is the least effective way to check this (who wants to answer “No” in front of the group?). “Do you have any questions?” is a little better.
“What questions do you have?” is even better. However, the best way to check their understanding is to ask questions that force the team to review the steps or rules of the activity.
For example, “How many minutes do you have to complete this?” or “What happens if one of your balloons pops?”
When the activity will result in one or more winners, make sure everyone is clear on what criteria will be used to determine who wins.
Then, ask a review question such as “How exactly does someone win?” If ties need to be broken, explain how that will be done.
Declare up front that you are the final judge on all disagreements about who wins. You don’t want the team to argue about who won and lose sight of the real purpose of the activity.
When you are confident everyone understands the activity and is ready to go, ask one last time, “What remaining questions do you have before we start?”
Step 5. During: Run the activity.
Letting the team go through the activity, and possibly even fail, may be difficult for you to let happen. Remember, the activity is a low-risk alternative to letting the participants learn from failures on the job!
People learn and retain better when they experience lessons, rather than when they just hear them. Sit back, observe, and let your team experience.
Once they begin the activity, see that they are following the steps or rules. You want them to at least get started down the path to success.
Hold off on correction for just a moment, though. They may check themselves. If not, gently bring them back to task.
Encourage and support them all. Especially thank anyone who goes first in an activity. Being first is a scary situation for many. It takes courage to go first and risk embarrassment or failure.
Make yourself available to clarify steps or redirect the team. If appropriate, walk around quietly and watch for opportunities to help the team succeed. Be careful not to do their task for them, though.
Throughout the activity, watch for things you will want to bring up later during the Debrief. It is OK to jot down a note or two to remember.
If the activity is timed, watch the clock, and give a “time check” occasionally. For example, “Time check: you have 2 minutes left.”
Don’t stop the activity unless it really runs amuck. Otherwise, let it run its course. There will be plenty of opportunity to comment on lessons learned during the Debrief.
Step 6. During: Debrief the activity.
The Debrief is the most critical part of the team-building activity. It is the time when effective questions will guide the participants to link what they experienced in the activity with their behavior on the job. If this step is skipped or glossed over, most of the impact of the activity
will be lost in a matter of days. If you do the Debrief well, the lessons learned during the activity will stay with the team indefinitely. Ask the questions outlined in this book immediately. For most questions, there is no right or wrong answer. Allow all answers to be OK. Try not to evaluate or critique any answer; just nod and accept each one as you listen to it. The questions for each activity should lead the team to the conclusions you want them to reach without you having
to spell it out for them.
It is fine to read the questions from this book or to use notes. Stop talking, silently read the question, look back at the team, and then ask the question. The few seconds of silence while you read are less noticeable and less offensive to the group than if you read the question aloud while looking at it. Also, making eye contact while you ask the question is more likely to result in responses than if you do it the other way.
Another way to ask the questions is to write them on index cards beforehand. Pass the index cards out, and ask the participants to take turns reading the questions and soliciting responses.
Try not to call on anyone by name unless you have to. Be comfortable with the silence. Once you have asked a question, stop talking and slowly count to 10 in your head. The silence may feel like an eternity to you, but it feels just as long to the group. Eventually someone will answer! Remember, they have never heard the question before, so it may take a few seconds to formulate a response.
Watch for heads nodding, smiles, and other indications that they agree with what is being said by others. Not everyone has to respond to every question for the entire group to learn. If you see reactions that suggest disagreement, ask, “Does anyone disagree?” or “What about an opposing view?” Call on the one disagreeing only as a last resort.
Repeat or quickly summarize each response offered. If anyone gives an off-the-wall response or one that is just plain wrong, ask the group how they feel about it rather than correcting someone.
This technique will keep it “safe” for all participants to continue answering questions without fear of a reprimand from you.
Even if the activity did not go quite as well as planned, most participants probably learned something. No matter what happened, you can always ask if the group has ever seen anything like this happen back on the job. Ask what can be learned from this experience. The answers may include what can be improved for future team-building activities!
Step 7. After: Reinforce the learning back on the job.
With your help, the activity can continue teaching the participants long after it is over. Reminding participants of the activity and keeping the lessons learned alive will extend its impact. Keep your team focused on behaviors that support the kind of team you are trying to build.
Display anything the team created for the activity back in the workplace. Each time they see that sculpture, flipchart, or cardboard structure, they will be reminded of what they did, how it made them feel, and what it taught them.
If any new terms or special words came up during the activity, use them frequently. Like the visual items mentioned above, these words will prompt a recall of what happened and what they learned.
Refer to the activity and the lessons learned often when you are coaching, giving feedback, or conducting staff meetings. Look for examples of people exhibiting good team behavior related to the activity, and call it out for them and others to see.
If the activity was a huge success, you may want to repeat it soon. Plan follow-up activities that will reinforce, emphasize, and build upon what was learned this time.
Watch for examples of how the participants used what was learned in the activity and got better results. If you can quantify how their actions are benefiting the organization, call it out for them and others as evidence of success.
Ask participants in your next staff meeting to share what impact the activity has had on them. If you are in remote locations, use e-mail, electronic bulletin boards, and so forth to keep the learning alive.
