May 2002 Newletter - Spring has Spring!

What Makes A Great Team?

So much has been written about great teams and yet, why do we find ourselves continually challenged by our teams? Teams are complex beasts that change from moment to moment. They change each time there is a change either in membership or in the environment. As we well know, there has been more than the fair share of change in the past year.

While I believe there are many theories about teams, from my work with teams there is one major factor about great teams:

All the members can agree on decisions and follow through on their decisions.

That's it, it sounds simple, and yet it is deceptively difficult in the real world, much akin to Herding Intelligent Cats. Here are a few factors that can help you create a great team today:

1. 1) One Leader - Great teams have a clear leader, not one who dictates, but who involves everyone, facilitates progress AND make the final call about decisions.
2. 2) Clear Goals - The team is aligned on the same goal and everybody can say what it is
3. 3) Brainstorming - The entire team is included in the solution process so it at least hears all of the possible viewpoints and solutions without destroying any ideas at this stage.
4. 4) Distilling - The critics can now chime in and tear apart the idea, so the best solution is selected.
5. 5) Playback - The leader plays back the solution to the group so everyone can hear what they decided. Quite often the process falls apart here.
6. 6) Buy-in - The group can vote until everyone buys into the plan enough so that they will not sabotage the plan. Every detractor needs to be handle, thus improving the idea and getting everybody's buy-in.
7. 7) Follow-up - The group needs to be held accountable. The leader or a chosen person needs to make sure people follow through on their decision and that there are consequences for not doing so. The group also revisits their decisions and learns from their experience to make better decisions.

So when was the last time you got 2 or more people to agree? If you're having problems, try this process out and email me with your results.

If you have or know of a team looking for unique and effective team-building programs, if you'd like to know more about Geocaching and Geoteaming, please do us the favor and contact us at: http://www.playtimeinc.com/feedback.htm

Where's John? Upcoming Events!

May 4th - The Search!

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.asp?ID=14410
The Search is a competitive Geocaching (high-tech treasure hunt with GPS units) benefit for the Washington National Park Fund http://www.wnpf.org. For only $25, take your chance at winning fantastic prizes while learning about the fastest growing sport of 2002, Geocaching! Located in Ashford, WA, this promises to be a great day of fun for you and the family! Contact Thomas Reynolds at (206) 770-0627 or at development@mail.wnpf.org

May 8th - Microsoft Team Building Event

John will be conducting Microsoft's 1st Geocaching Team-Building Event for the Human Resources Information Technology group.

May 10th - Climb 2002

John will be speaking at Microsoft for the Climb 2002. This benefit for the Washington National Park Fund helps raise over $100,000 each year as 24 people take on the task of raising funds and raising themselves to Mt. Rainier's 14,410 ft. summit. John will be speaking on fund-raising and mountaineering techniques. Contact tracywe@microsoft.com if you'd like to attend.

May 17th - Camp Casey Geocaching

John will be at Camp Casey, investigating the site for a Geocaching event for The Evergreen School Camp Out!

May 20th-24th - John to Speak on GeoTeaming at the ESM National Confernence

http://esmassn.org/conference/tueswed.pdf
John will be speaking on how companies can great GeoTeaming events for team-building and recreational programs at the ESM National Conference. John will also be available at a booth during the event and changing people's lives with his portable change backpack. A great conference for HR professionals!

June 8th-10th - The Grand Adventure Training Event

http://www.granddynamics.com/programs/TGA/index2.htm
PlayTime Inc. and Grand Dynamics have paired up to create the Grand Adventure. This 6-month exclusive program will teach breakthrough physical and mental skills as the class peaks on the magnificent Grand Tetons in September.
At $2,995, you will get exclusive coaching access to John Chen, Stu Mittleman, Gurucharan Singh Khalsa, Tim Walther, & Al Read in a small and intimate format. This is an incredible opportunity, for more information or to sign up today (LIMITED SEATING LEFT!), contact Tim Walther at (800) 989-8434 or admin@granddynamics.com.

June 20th - ASTD SIG Talk "Creating High-Impact, Low-Cost Team-Building"

On the invitation of the Seattle Chapter of ASTD, John will be leading an experiential workshop on how to create team-building programs in your own corporation. With shrinking budgets and harder times, John's innovative solutions show how the real purpose of team-building can be achieved with low-cost resources. Always fun and always information, contact carol_whitfield01@yahoo.com for more information on how to attend.

PlayTime, Inc. In The News

4/24/2002 - PlayTime Inc. Teams Up With Adobe

PlayTime Inc. welcomes Barbie Fink and Adobe to our family and growing client list. Adobe brought 38 members into the first corporate GeoTeaming event held in Seattle's incredible 534-acre Discovery Park with great results!

4/19/2002 - PlayTime Inc. Entrepreneur Of The Year?

PlayTime Inc. was nominated by Ernst & Young as an Entrepreneur Of The Year. We are in the interview process and will be excited to share our results with you. Please email Michael.Balt@ey.com if you have comments you'd like to share about PlayTime Inc. Thanks in advance for your support.

4/1/2002 - Puget Sound Business Journal Selects John Chen As A 40 Under 40 Judge

John Chen was selected as a judge for the 2002 Puget Sound Business Journal's 40 Under 40 Award. John was selected as a top 40 entrepreneur under the age of 40 and now has the unique honor of helping to select this year's top 40. This award is a great honor and will help open doors you never imagined. If you know of an entrepreneur under the 40, please forward their information to John immediately to take advantage of this opportunity today!

3/15/02 - PlayTime Inc. Featured in "The Connection"

PlayTime Inc. was featured on the front cover of Microsoft Alumni's magazine, "The Connection". With distribution to over 3,000 ex-MSFT's, John was featured for his innovative programs and his unique business/life after Microsoft. For a copy or to find out more about the Microsoft Alumni Network, contact msalum@msanet.org.

Thank you for your interest in PlayTime Inc. If you'd like to contribute to our next newsletter, please email bigkid@playtimeinc.com with your comments, corrections or submissions. Looking forward to connecting with you on our next newsletter and until then, make today a Life-Changing Adventure!