Q&A: EFFECTIVE TEAM BUILDING
Working at Backstage Affairs on a student placement has given me so much to think about. The range of audiences, clients and consumers at Backstage Affairs is huge. So I thought it would be beneficial to sit down with Thorsten Ford, Head of Team Building at Backstage Affairs to understand his role, and how he delivers effective team building.
Here is a short interview with Thorsten, on his role here at Backstage Affairs and the importance of effective team building and having fun.
Q: To begin, I’d like to know your role here at Backstage Affairs?
A: My role here is Head of Team Building
Q: And What does your role entail? Daily responsibilities, in a nut shell?
A: I deal with day to day enquiries from potential clients and then from there I’ll sell, organise, details events to clients. Then I’ll size up events, understand the client’s needs and objectives and start from there.
Q: How did you find your way into the event industry or this company?
A: After leaving the British Army in 2005 I then went on to help lead team building events for corporate companies at a company called EML. They soon realised that I was good with people and in front of crowds and it has just developed from there. As I’m creating a campaign around the idea that fun isn’t just for kids/ And that group activities for adults are an option too…
Q: Do you think it is important for employees to have effective team building days?
A: Yes, it’s vital, it’s a great way to see your colleagues in a different environment and find some common ground. Being stuck in an office all day can become boring and so to get out and experience people in a different place it can break barriers and lead to a more efficient work place.
Q: What are the benefits of team building?
A: Well the benefits are simple, team building requires people to use Key Skills; communication, delegation, leadership, trust and getting people to use these skills will give them more confidence and motivation which will lead to higher productivity in the work place. If you take Bob for example, now Bob might work in an office and keep himself to himself and not talk very much. But if he comes to a team building event and I choose him to lead one of the challenges and he suddenly starts giving ideas to his colleagues they will see him differently. They might think Bob is a good leader and shows creativity which is something they didn’t know before, it allows people to show a bit more of themselves that you wouldn’t otherwise see in the work place. All whilst developing and showing their Key skills.
Q: Do you think that team building events helps relieve stress/ help motivation at work?
A: Yes, I do, like I said being in an office can become stale and boring and so allowing your staff to go out and have some fun will help them unwind and relax. From here you could see your colleagues develop confidence which leads to higher motivation which can lead to more productivity.
Q: What would you say is the most efficient group size for effective team building?
A: I would say the perfect size is from 7-8. I think anything between 5 and 10 is ok because then they’re not too small and not too big but the prime size between 7 and 8.
Q: Do you think fun days/ team building days for employees should be treats or incorporated in the work schedule?
A: Yes, I do. I think they are massively important because as I’ve said they can help employees create relationships that they wouldn’t otherwise have, it can break down barriers and build confidence, motivation which would lead to more productivity.
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EVENT DESIGN – THE RULES
What is Event design? Delivering a vision
Event design is a concept that focuses on guest experience and senses. In order to deliver beautiful event design, the events concept, objective and budget must have been agreed.
Event design involves creating visual, aural, kinaesthetic, olfactory and gustatory experiences that are cohesive. The aim is to evoke stimulus for the senses, which submerge guests in an experience.
Step by Step Event Design
1.Visual – A visual stimulus for event design commonly resides in the form of lighting, theming and decoration. Visual design is typically the first (and only) design that is created and is very commonly the most expensive. However, is it often trumped by other senses such as Gustatory.
2. Auditory – Coming in a joint first for the most expensive of senses, ensuring guests auditory experience is appealing, defines your event as successful (or not!). For example, low humming, mic feedback or an ill-informed band booking could be the end of your event.
3. Kinesthetic – A much harder sense to look after. The experience guests feel is subconsciously important. Warmth, or effective A/C is a must because nobody likes a draft, and nobody likes being hot and stuffy! Are your guest able to escape the music to a peaceful room? Is the atmosphere tense or does it offer calmness? Are your seating areas huggable or hard?
4. Olfactory – Our sense of smell is fickle. Alone it can’t be trusted, but accompanying visual and other stimuli, is the ‘cherry on top’ of your event. It fully submerges the guests into their surroundings, creating a fully inclusive experience. For example, a woodland adventure would benefit from a pine sent, or a carnival theme would feel amazing with the smell of hot dogs and candyfloss!
5. Gustatory – Within corporate events, the tastes offered are often the biggest talking point. It is important to understand the needs of the client and offer a comprehensive range of tastes to appeal to many pallets. Whether the event involves an exclusive three course meal, casual canapes, or experiential liquid nitrogen ice-cream, food is hugely important to keep guests engaged.
Walking through the event in the guests shoes, is vitally important to understand their senses. At every point in an events lifecycle, you must ask the question, ‘What can I see, smell, hear, feel and taste?’
And those are the basics of Event Design.
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HOW TECHNOLOGY HAS CHANGED EVENTS
As I’m sure you are all aware: Technology is changing the world. But how has technology changed events?
It has changed the way we are able to communicate, the way we consume information and the way we shop.
And it does not stop there, the event industry is forever changing to meet the demands of these technological advancements, and here is a list of 5 ways in which they are:
1 – How technology has changed events: Mobiles/ Devices
Mobiles and electronic devices such as tablets have become a staple part of our daily lives. They offer the user to be able to stay connected with the world through methods such as social media, and give the user a sense of togetherness that event organisers/managers should relish. Being able to keep your audience aware and involved is key when it comes to marketing your events. Using these devices in your events can also benefit you. You can share and store information easily through means such as Apps and these can then be used to access information about the event that would otherwise be harder to source, i.e. floor plans, schedules etc.
2 – How technology has changed events: Wearable Technology
Wearable technology is seemingly becoming the future. With companies bringing out Virtual Reality devices, our eyes are only limited to see what our imagination can create. This immersive technology allows you to show your guests through areas of the world and allows them to interact with it. As this technology is somewhat new, it is fascinating to think how this kind of technology will develop, both in the event industry and the world itself.
3 – How technology has changed events: Online Registration
Allowing your guests to register for your event online saves both you and your guest time. This may seem obvious but it is an essential part of the market now. Filling out registration forms online help you maintain your attendee’s and keeps them up to date with any news or information you wish to share with them.
4 – How technology has changed events: Live Streaming
It is now possible to attend an event without leaving your home. Live streaming has become increasingly popular over the last 10 years and offers companies the chance to host events online and even more accessible via Facebook in 2017. Doing so makes events instantly more accessible, from people who live in other countries, to people who otherwise would not have been able to attend. Broadening the range of audience that you bring in is a great way to popularise your brand and get yourselves out there!
5 –How technology has changed events: Social Media
Social Media is one of the biggest forms of communication and connects people together from all around the world. It gives the user the ability to share and consume information on many mediums and utilising this for events is now very popular. Sharing information for your events and using features such as Hashtags streamlines the way in which you and your events can be found online, so get Hashtagging!