We have already talked about the benefits of team building activities. Now, how about our top 5? There are so many incredible team building exercises you can do. It was tough to narrow it down! But low and behold our top 5 team building activities. You and your team will have heaps of fun and reap the rewards ten times over!

Paintball :

Paintball is a sensational way for teams to work together. Each group is divided into two teams who must battle it out. A dynamic will form where the members of each team work together to win. It is exhilarating and can get pretty intense! Your team will love the rush. And, the connects they form while playing this high adrenaline game will transfer into how they communicate at work. And that aside, who doesn’t love getting covered in paint!?

Karting :

Tearing up that karting track is one high octane way to have fun! Dust off those cobwebs and head out for some super fun go-karting. This team building activity is perfect for the team that might be cooped up in an office most of the time. Or, even if your team just loves getting stuck in to something energetic!

Escape Rooms :

Escape Rooms are becoming an incredibly popular team building activity. Why? Firstly, because it stimulates some serious team work energy. Secondly, the group thinks creatively to solve puzzles to escape a room. To up the anti, they are working against the clock. This trendy team building activity is where it is at!

Bubble Soccer : 

This next level game will blow your teams mind. Ever heard of Zorbing? No? Well basically you are strapped into a giant bubble and left to roll around a designated area. Bubble Soccer is when  you are part of a team of people in this situation, playing another team in a game of soccer! If you haven’t seen it already, you should check it out.

Foot golf :

Ah foot golf, the noble sport. Like golf but not as fusty and dusty. It is definitely an upgrade to the original game! The rules are similar to regular golf. The only difference is, you guessed it – you use your foot to kick the ball. No more carrying around heavy caddy bags full of golf sticks you haven’t a notion of how to use!

Whatever you choose to do for your annual outing, our top five is a great place to start. This ultra trendy list of team building activities will give your team something to look forward to! And, something to reminisce about.

The post Top 5 Team Building Activities appeared first on BigPotatoes.

You and your team have been through thick and thin. Experiencing those highs and lows together throughout the season has brought you closer together. Here are our top 4 reasons why your soccer team should have a night away. You deserve it!

Strengthen Bonds :

Catching up with one another off the pitch is a great way to strengthen those bonds. You all have such a great time together, why not dedicate some time just for having the craic? Soccer is a sport that requires a lot of focus. Even though it seems like you and your team are just having fun, you are actually working hard to achieve a goal…literally! So blow off some steam and remind each other how much you like to laugh. Of course this is going to be the first reason of top 4 reasons why your soccer team should have a night away.

Blow off steam :

A night away from it all can do you the world of good! We all have hectic lives. From family commitments to work, we juggle a lot. Having an excuse to head away for a night can be just what the doctor ordered. You and your team will return home renewed and ready to take on those every day challenges with fresh eyes. So blow off some steam with your comrades and be better for it! An excellent way to do this is by trying out a new activity! Check out our top team bonding activities for inspiration.

Visit somewhere new :

Exploring a new place and having a new experience is what it is all about! Make those amazing memories with the team you are proud to be part of. Head to somewhere in Ireland you have never been before. No one has been everywhere! Whether it is that scenic sea side town or majestic waterfall, make the time to see it with your team. Chances are you visit different towns for matches on a regular basis. Ever wondered what any of those towns would be like to visit off duty? Find out for yourself!

Marking occasions :

Marking special occasions for your team is super important. You all worked hard to win a match and want to celebrate? Team night away! Or, maybe you didn’t win the game you were training for. In that case, a team trip away can perk you all right back up! It is also a perfect way to welcome a new member or members to the team. Equally, it is a great way to say goodbye to a member who is leaving. Playing as part of a soccer team is like being in a family. Celebrate those iconic moments, no matter what they may be.

So whatever you and your team deicide to do, remember these four reasons. If you are planning your first team trip away, we are sure you will have such a blast you won’t ever need an excuse again!

The post 4 reasons why your soccer team should have a night away appeared first on BigPotatoes.

Check out the Top 4 reasons you need to team build in Cork. At Bigpotatoes we pride ourselves in the way we put events together to suit our clients. Destinations are a major fact in that process. Today we are looking at our cities and giving you firstly, the top 5 reasons you need to team build in Cork.

Without banging on about it too much, it is important to keep the focus on the purpose of the trip. It’s about team building and not about individual satisfaction or gratification. It’s all about the team, so get the team, the whole team and nothing but the team involved in the planning of the trip to Cork.

Work through a list. The team leader should draw up and finalise the list making sure that all details are covered no matter how insignificant they may appear. Location, accommodation, transport options, activities, indoor and outdoor, music, food and drink and return journey.

So, here are our top 5 reasons you need to team build in Cork.

1. Range of outdoor activities

It’s “how long is a piece of string” answer that comes to mind. Let’s take a look a few, well, a couple anyway. One of

the most popular is go-karting. We have several on our list, both indoor and outdoor but with fingers crossed on the weather we will go outdoors. The buzz the team will get from karting hardly needs to be explained. It’s motor car racing at a small and safe level. Who doesn’t want to be a Lewis Hamilton tearing into corners, screeching round the hair pin bends, overtaking on the straight, beating your fellow team members, competing against the clock; throw in the imaginary crowd, the smell of fuel, the thought of a pit stop with pretend change of tyres and of course the television cameras focusing on the team as they battle each other for line honours.

Another great outdoor activity that the team will love is a harbour trip on a high speed rib. No Dear, it’s not the rib that the lord took from Adam to make eve”, it’s a high speed power boat that planes on the water.

On a calm day, the adrenalin rush that the team will experience as the rib speeds over the water is pure exhilaration. Of course the drivers are professional and all on board are fitted with life jackets and sitting on special seats. No cobwebs in the head after this trip.

2. Indoor activities in Cork city for the team.

One of the favorite ones of course is 10 pin bowling. Again the team leaders can divide up the group into small teams and they can compete against one another. Listen to the

clatter as the bowling balls hit the skittles. On the other hand listen to the roars of laughter as the ball drops into the drain and misses the whole mass of “wooden soldiers”.

This is a terrific option is the weather is anyway lousy. The Cork people will swear that it only rains between midnight and eight in the morning.

3. Cork is Big enough to have loads of options but small enough to be personal.

The centre of the city lies between the north and the south channel of the river lee and most of the Craic and shopping is in that area. If there are ladies on the team building event they will need retail therapy and Cork won’t disappoint.

4. Booze, Burgers and Beds.

Everything that the team will need in the above departments are in full supply in Cork City and at all different price levels. Add in the natives and you can be sure that this will tick the box for the top 5 reasons you need to team build in Cork.

The post Top 4 reasons you need to team build in Cork: appeared first on BigPotatoes.

There are so many different categories of extreme sports that we are spoilt for choice. We have already covered white water rafting in the Scottish mountains and the thrills and spills associated with that sport. We moved from water sport, sort of speak to aerial or sky sport in the piece on parachute jumping and the adrenaline rush associated with that. Now we go to terra firma and explore the thrills and adrenaline levels by having a go at buggy racing.

So we have air, water and mucky terrain as the first three on our to do list for team building and in those three we are examining three elements that get the juices of excitement going and at the same time contribute to our team building exercise.

There is no doubt that Buggy racing will tick all the boxes. We have yet to meet someone that doesn’t want to get behind the wheel of any vehicle and give it welly.

It’s amazing to think the motor manufacturing conglomerates are concentrating so much money and technology on building driverless cars! Especially when all the world and it’s mother just wants to get behind the wheel of a vehicle and test their driving skills. Mind you, the roads are so congested with traffic these days that any type of driving can be either boring, painful or both for that matter. So let’s get off road and experience the absolute thrill of bombing a rough terrain buggy around some serious undulating country side. This is team building as it should be. Team leaders can select the drivers that will give them the best advantage over the rival team.

The first of the three adrenaline “hits” comes early.

First is the kit out and buggy allocation. It will bring back memories of the bumpers at the local funfair when the now adults and team leaders were children on holidays from school. The buggies are powered by 650 cc engines, have robust suspensions and sequential gear shifts built for mayhem. They are fitted with a safety harness and anti roll cage bars to ensure safety. As you await instructions from the course marshal and encouragement from the team leader, the excitement builds. This is what time out from the office should be all about. First a leisurely lap of the track to get familiarised with the course and then back to the starting pit, line up and off.

Number two : the actual drive.

It doesn’t take long for the competitive streak to kick in with the teams. Speeding on the flat surfaces where the opportunity exists to overtake and get your team in the lead is followed by some tricky maneuvers over rocky terrain. Drivers will master driving sideways, oversteer and understeer techniques. The teams will learn how to tackle extreme terrains, bumps, twists, jumps and turns. And, learn how to overtake your team opponent particularly on the flat fast section. For team building, this has it all. Team work, team leadership and team enjoyment;

Number three on the adrenaline scale is the race to the finish. That means challenging the opposing team at every opportunity even more so when it would normally be deemed as risky. That is when the thrill hits the top note. It is great fun, highly entertaining and extreme. Don’t underestimate the power of these awesome buggies; a breathtaking experience.

The post Extreme sports as a team building exercise: Buggy Racing  appeared first on BigPotatoes.

Extreme sports team building: White water rafting? Why not! We have had a wide range of team building and team bonding activities reviewed at this stage. Some are great fun, like paintballing or kayaking. Some are exciting and give a great buzz, like activity courses, go-karting and buggy driving. Others can be described a very pleasant experiences. The spa and pamper afternoon for men are in this category. And, there is a massive range of pampering facilities available for ladies, of course! Then we have the sedentary team building exercise. Here, only the only drops of sweat are on the waiter’s forehead as the team relaxes having afternoon tea on the lawn by the shores of the Lakes of Killarney.

We have a range of team activities that stretch from plus one to nine on our activity Richter scale and everything in between.

Today we are going to view a team building event that goes outside that scope.

This team building exercise will get the adrenaline pumping and the heart racing. Today we are taking a look at a spine tingling and exhilaration team sport that will rock your team to the core. We are going white water rafting in Scotland. Make sure that the company accountant is aware that you and your business team are sticking the hand out for a good budget! One that will get you and your team up into the Scottish mountains where the tumbling river torrents have venom and little mercy.

It’s cold, fast and furious. And, when you think you have reached the pinnacle of excitement, the raft lunges down another turbulent narrow gorge. Framed with threatening rocks and lofty Scottish pines, each turn makes your heart tastes salty as in bounces into the back of your mouth. Your instinct is to scream but your voice was left on the last bank at the top of the incline.

The yellow rubber raft is four meters long; it’s robust and carries six victims – sorry! team members!

Each member has a wet suit, helmet and life jacket and holds a paddle. Each raft has an instructor who roars out instructions as the yellow machine goes from naught to sixty in three seconds. Did I mention the steering wheel? No? that’s because there isn’t one. Guiding this water toboggan down the rocky water chute, over weirs, around bends, through raging pools is done by the six on board using their paddles. Therefore, a practice is first held in the calmness of a peaceful pool at the head of the river.

The instructor will advise in how to use the paddles. They will tell you and your team to be alert to her instructions as the craft bounces down the ravine. You will be told that there is a possibility of falling overboard and getting separated from the craft. There is also the possibility of the craft overturning and getting trapped underneath and how to deal with that. At this point you’re approaching cardiac arrest, and that’s even before its game on.

This is a team effort, a team building exercise that is purely high octane stuff, adrenaline rush that goes faster than the water.

Because of the altitude and the time of year and because it is far north, it is freezing. Sympathy is stuffed down behind the couch back at the hotel. The instructions are clear and you paddle out of the calm pool. Literally, the gate is open and the bull is ready for the ring with a big desire to get the riders off his back. The craft lunges forward amid the screams. Game on baby!

The post Extreme sports team building: White water rafting appeared first on BigPotatoes.

Team building and team bonding isn’t just for footballers or rugby players or those involved in team sports. It is also about creating a healthy and harmonious atmosphere within the confines of the workplace. A happy staff, or team, leads to better productivity and a friendlier environment. The knock-on effects from that happy environment are indeed multiple. Apart from productivity, staff or team retention in today’s market is critical. Demand for highly productive, well educated team members is at an all time high. Therefore, making the work place a happy place will be the first brick in the wall.

Team building and breaks away from the desks are paramount for a successful work place environment. We have discussed a myriad of options that involve both the ladies and the gents in the company getting together for team building. Sometimes, it’s ladies only and sometimes the concentration is on the men.

Today we are discussing an option for the male team member, that’s usually regarded as the preserve of the ladies. That option is a Spa and a pamper afternoon.

First of all, the spa is not just for ladies!

And, while the lads from the office might think of it as girly, forget it! Drop the caveman attitude and get the male team along to a Dublin spa for some real body treatment.

The fear for some blokes is that it’s all about fluffy dressing gowns slices of cucumber on the eye lids and delicate perfumes. Wrong again! The body and mind needs relaxing whether it’s male or female. The Idea is that on entering a spa the man will immediately experience the feeling of calm. The Therapists will focus on the stress points so that the body’s well being is assured and that the mind is free to drift to a higher altitude. The highly trained staff will guide your team through each step of your relaxing journey.

It’s amazing how relaxed, revitalized and rejuvenated you will feel after the treatment.

Depending on where exactly you take your male team, a variety of treatments are available, each with its own unique selling point.

Indian head massages are popular with most establishments. They involve a relaxing face, neck, shoulder and head massage. The treatment is steeped in Indian tradition and with their skill set, the masseuse will work on the head and scalp to ease out all the tensions above the shoulder areas.

Men with sinus problems and tired eyes will also experience a major improvement. Other treatments for instance involve a pine and eucalyptus enriched moor mud back treatment followed by a back massage. Or why not try a Hot stone back massage and or maybe a hot stone leg and foot massage.

The hot stone heat penetrates the deep muscle tissue and eliminates the need for an excruciating deep muscle massage that makes the cure worse than the disease.

The male members of your team will experience a life changing moment when they are whisked off for a Spa and pamper afternoon.

Once the body is successfully sorted, the mind in a peaceful orbit. A pleasant feeling of well being will hang on the body like a well cut suit. It can be regarded as a job well done and an initiative that was worth pursuing. The spa will no longer just be for the ladies in the team but also for the macho males that had never had the experience before.

The post Why a spa and pamper afternoon isn’t just for the girls in the office appeared first on BigPotatoes.

Summer is creeping in over the horizon! The first swallows are whizzing excitedly about overhead making their shrill sounds and announcing the beginning of the season.

Time to start thinking about the office day out and a bonding and team building event! There are loads of activities that will light the fires under the weariest of office members and get them thinking about the summer day out. Inclusive activities are always top of the team leaders lists. These range from kite surfing, canoeing, and power boating, to hill walking, spa treatments and fine dining.

Let us look at a completely different idea for the team event away this year. Consider a trip to the Gaeltach! In particular, the beautiful area of Dingle and the dingle peninsula. Get lucky with the weather and it is a most stunning experience. The team leaders and organisers will need to plan carefully for this trip. This is because,  your teams starting point will have huge bearing on travel arrangements. For instance, if your team is coming from an area on the west or south coast hiring a mini bus would be ideal.

As in any team building exercise, planning should be split up among team members as this promotes a spirit of inclusiveness and makes team members feel important. If the team is travelling from a destination farther north like Dublin or Belfast, taking the train to killarney and a coach from there to Dingle would be practical. Killarney to Dingle is a little over an hour’s drive.

The first reason that the team day out should be to Dingle has just got to be the stunning scenery.

All team members will be gob smacked as it has been described as the first place that God made. The view opens up to reveal the stunning beach at Inch on the narrow road in from Castlemaine . It is facing south west and in line with the prevailing winds. Therefore, the surf is constantly crashing in on the golden sand making it a paradise for swimmers and surfers. After a photo stop and a coffee and scone, the team then head off into the beautiful, colourful fishing town of dingle to begin their next experience.

The second reason we have chosen the area is the buzz in this marine Gaeltach town.

Beautiful little shops selling artisan products, glorious pubs where the locals converse in Irish and at the same time enjoy the craic and Irish music. Restaurants are plentiful and the quality and range of menus will satisfy the most discerning of diners. Of course the team could take a boat trip out the harbor for an encounter with the famous Dingle dolphin called Fungi

Third on our list is a trip around the Dingle peninsula.

Here the team will see the beautiful beaches at Ventry and the historical bee hive huts. They will see the Blasket islands off shore, including “The Sleeping Giant” and of course the stunning Slea head where the film “Ryan’s daughter” was shot some years ago.

The fourth buzz point is the mountain back drop dotted with stone walls and sheep.

Ruined stone cottages from the famine times are a testimony to the tragedy of our history. And, a reminder of the families that were decimated and those that emigrated. Should the budget stretch to two days, there are plenty of Hotels and guest houses in the area.

The post 4 reasons why a trip to the Gaeltach is good for team building and a unique bonding session appeared first on BigPotatoes.

Spike Island sits right in the middle of Cork Harbour. Cork harbour is regarded as the second best natural harbour in the world. It has ninety square miles of water. Spike Island is one of five islands in the harbour area. The island itself is made up of 104 acres in total including a 24 acre fortress called Fort Mitchell, also known as Fortress Spike.

The first activity recorded on Spike Island was a sixth century monastery. It remained a monastic settlement for several hundred years until probably the Norse invasion from the Scandinavian Countries. There were centuries of island homes with inhabitants commuting by boat to the main Island, or great Island with the town of Cobh as its capital. Spike had its role changed several times during its history. For a time it was used as a quarantine for cattle and livestock. Most famously it made its name as a prison fortress. Designed and built about 200 years ago in the shape of a star, it went from being a military fortress at one stage to becoming the world’s largest prison.

Now that we have an overview of the Island let us go through the five reasons why it is a great for team building and a team day out;

Reason one, no one can just rock up and drift inside the fortress. It is after all an island and access is by way of a ferry from Kennedy Quay in the harbour town of Cobh. So the first adrenaline hit will come as the team make their way along the quay and embark on the vessel for the ten/twenty minute trip to the Island.

The tour starts as the team disembark from the ferry on to this unique Island. Teams can avail of the island guided tours; use an audio guide or just self exploration.

Immerse your team in the fascinating history that includes Monks and Monasteries, raiders and pirates; captors and convicts and saints and sinners. The 200 year old history of the fort will keep the team riveted for the duration of the day.

Reason two, the tableau of scenes depicting the inmates of the prison in particular the punishment block that was constructed in 1858 after a warden was killed. The real live scenes will make the hair stand up on the back of the combined team’s heads. Conditions were horrendous and punishment very severe. It was the world’s largest prison with as many as 2300 inmates.

Escape from the island was impossible even though several brave souls attempted it. The tidal current between Spike and Cobh roars through the estuary and makes swimming practically impossible.

Reason three on the adrenaline list is a state of the art Computer simulation room. It is here that a computer rendering of cork harbour allows team members to take control and pilot a ship or even protect Cork Harbour from attack. This aspect of the Island visit will certainly appeal to all the computer geeks.

Reason number four for your team building visit to Spike is the range of activities that are available when the team has soaked up all the interesting history.

There are adventure activities. Also there are obstacle courses for the energetic team members. The team can spend time on an archaeology dig. Plenty to excite the curious team members; For team leaders there is nothing better than donning military dress and barking out orders as your team drills.

What about Jail break orienteering for the adventure lovers of the team?

Reason number five is the refreshments side of the events. Restaurants and shops to relax in before heading back to Cobh.

Cork is a great location for team building! Check out what else this county has to offer here.

The post A team building day at Spike Island: 5 reasons why it’s a must for a day event appeared first on BigPotatoes.

Scavenger hunts – the most fun you will have on a team day out

Scavenger hunts or as they were known in a previous existence, treasure hunts are a fantastic and funny way to do team building or just a fun work team day out.

It’s important to stress also that team building events are not necessarily confined to work colleagues but can work brilliantly for a group of friends or neighbours interested in team building, challenging themselves as they break into teams.

It can also involve birthday party teams or hen and stag party teams.

In today’s world, team building, among younger employees especially has shifted from a paper based team event to an electronic or digital based team event.

In practical terms, it is possible to combine both forms as event teams usually have a mix of ages.  There are a myriad of types of scavenger hunt ideas floating about. Bigpotatoes.ie is well positioned to guide your event team in the right direction.  Is this a good team building event? Will all the elements of a scavenger hunt make the team event a memorable team event day out?  Let’s put the benefits on the table and see how a team day out would work well for a mixed, multinational and culturally diverse team of people.

Of course we have to be cognizant of the fact that all teams are made up of different age bracket people.

Some people on the event team of a certain age may prefer to test themselves using the good old fashioned paper, pencil and local maps. Paper of course.

What is a Scavenger Hunt?

Practically all the scavenger hunt templates are based on working out a set of clues and getting to an end point. It’s definitely a team event as flying solo on this one would be a bore. The team can be of any size. But in a team building exercise it is better that a large group is broken into smaller teams. Teams by their nature are set to challenge each other. It brings out the competitive edge as teams strive to outdo each other.

Typically a team building scavenger hunt event will start off with a briefing. The itinerary will be carefully detailed so that all teams are on the same page. At this stage the large team is divided into smaller teams. Hand out, instructions, tasks and electronic tablets, in some instances will be distributed to the teams. Fun elements are these days introduced, such as funny photos of the team in unusual positions.

Teams need to be careful on approaching strangers for directions. As sometimes wringers are selectively and strategically placed to give the team false information and disadvantage them in the team event point scoring at the end of the hunt. When the final point is reached and the teams converge, scores can be assessed and prize giving takes place. Rounding off the team building day with a prearranged dinner and refreshments is also a good idea. Videos and photos can be viewed and exchanged and all teams can share in the hilarity.

There are some more team building scavenger hunt ideas that are in vogue like disarming an imitation device in a so called nuclear power station. As we get deeper into the digital age more whacky ideas are possible. Dublin is a great place for team building treasure hunts with buckets of options. A team day out will hit the button for practically all teams.

Benefits of a Scavenger Hunt

The benefits for team building are terrific.

The teams must be creative. There is a sense of team inclusiveness. Setting challenges for your team in a fun environment and of course a chance for all teams to explore the city.

Finally, if you’re interested in a scavenger hunt as your team building event. Drop us a line today on info@bigpotatoes.ie.

The post Scavenger hunts – the most fun you will have on a team day out appeared first on BigPotatoes.

5 Team Building Mistakes to Avoid

Planning Team Building Activities is a positive step toward housing a happy team! Make sure that they are effective. You don’t want them to have a redundant or negative outcome! Here are 5 Team Building Mistakes to Avoid.

Different Abilities

Avoid making the mistake of not acknowledging your teams differing abilities. Your team is made up of people with different skills. They also have different interests. Most importantly, they have different abilities. When planning your next team building activity consider this. While one team member might enjoy a Hair and Make Up class, another might enjoy dirt buggying a bit more! Also, older members of your team might be more comfortable taking a trip to a pottery or going on a boat ride. Try and cater to what your team will benefit from the most. 

Cliques

Cliques promote segregation. Try and break up office cliques at your next team building activity! Working together is the key! Cliques form naturally in any social situation. The crowd from the admin office might be close friends. The interns might have a lot in common with one another. Give everyone the opportunity to work with someone new! This enhances communication between team members. 

No Clear Goals

Make clear goals at the start of the activity! Maybe send an e-mail explaining why you have chosen this particular trip. If goals are not made clear, your team might be confused. Communicate your aim early on to ensure they are achieved. If you are planning an excursion to an Adventure Centre, do let your team know why. Although they will enjoy the fun physical exercise, make sure they know that there is a wider point. 

Overly Ambitious

Baby Steps! The idea is to have a few excursions per year. A few in office Ice Breakers, a Summer BBQ and a trip Dolphin watching. There are activities to enhance everything! Don’t spend two weeks taking trips to stay cooped up for the rest of the year. Don’t expect to achieve everything all at once! Over working a team to achieve a goal will wear them out. Be consistent! Don’t make your team bonding activities too ambitious.

Neglecting to act on People’s Suggestions

Act on the suggestions of your team. If your team expresses an interest in a particular area, act! This will encourage your employees to make suggestions to you in future. If a team member suggests something wacky like Zorbing, do some research. Find out what the benefits are. Ask around to see if there is interest. Take on board what people have to say! 

The post 5 Team Building Mistakes to Avoid appeared first on BigPotatoes.

Stimulate Creativity in the Workplace

Creativity is a fundamental element to any project. Get those creative juices flowing! Your team will come up with creative solutions to problems with ease. Try something creative and do not be afraid to experiment! Try out these activities. Stimulate creativity in the workplace! Check out these excellent creative team building activities. 

Style Class

Try out a Style Class! Learning how to co-ordinate an outfit is beneficial for many reasons. You learn to look the part. It can give you confidence. It can give you that little bit of edge! Ground your wardrobe with a few classic pieces that never go out of style. Find the right look for you! Mix it up with some trends. Pick the ones you like and rock them for a season or two. This is a great team building activity! Style is personal. Your team will love sharing tips.

Pottery Making

Making pottery is a relaxing way to stimulate creativity. Using your sense of touch activates your brain in a unique way. Pottery Making improves focus. It promotes exploration and reduces stress. Thus, allowing the mind to relax and expand. This sense of focus can be applied to other areas in life. It’s social! When a group relaxes they can chat about anything. Your team will enjoy talking to one another while making some pottery. It is a team bonding activity that will always go down well. Pottery Making is beneficial for the body and the mind! See the results.

Paint a Nude

Life Drawing increases focus and patience. It can be an excellent team bonding exercise. Painting a nude as a group would stimulate loads of creativity! Experiment! Start off with pencil and charcoal and move on to paints. Maybe bring different types of paper and make a collage! Perhaps a member of your team would like to try take a few photographs instead. Try it all out! Have anyone in your office who is very comfortable in their own skin!? Maybe someone will volunteer to model! (Although maybe hiring a model might be a bit less awkward!)

So try out these fun activities! Stimulate Creativity in your workplace and see the positive results! Looking for something more adventurous?! Look at our extreme sport activities!

The post Stimulate Creativity in the Workplace appeared first on BigPotatoes.

Memory Wall

Kayaking with your team soon? Or maybe half your team won a trip to the Spa as an incentive prize? Celebrate these moments! Planning excursions and activities can bring some more excitement into your office! Remember these occasions by creating a Memory Wall in your office. This team building activity is one that gives your team a place to remember the fun they have had together!

What is a Memory Wall?

Your office Memory Wall will be an archive of your teams most exciting moments. For example, Christmas Parties and Summer Barbecues. A few snaps of your office manager Zorbing! A group of your interns at a Gin Tea Party! Nominate someone in your office to document these events. This team building activity will make your team laugh and reminisce. In fact, all you need is a Camera! Or maybe hire a professional photographer!

On your memory wall, don’t just stop at just pictures of activities. Appreciating employee contributions is important. To make a positive effort to celebrate their accomplishments is key to a happy office. For instance, awarding an ‘Employee of the Month’ is a popular way to celebrate an individuals effort.

Celebrate your employee of the month on your wall too! Or celebrate whoever came up with an idea to make a task easier or recycled the most waste! Acknowledge a team members effort.

Why have a Memory Wall?

The wall can help build camaraderie among team members. It is a positive and encouraging way to support productivity and harmony within the office. A team is connected. Seeing each other every day. Working side by side.

Experiencing the same wacky Extreme Sport team building activities suggested by their boss! Therefore, having an ongoing memory wall is an activity that promotes team bonding. It rewards people for their efforts and celebrates the time they spend together. Mark the time spent in the office and further a field with a memory wall!

Tip : Consider hanging your memory wall in the foyer of your office. This way, visitors can see your teams achievements. Friends and relatives will be able to pick the person they know out of group pictures. It will be the first thing your employees see when they come into work. What a great way to start the day!

The post Memory Wall appeared first on BigPotatoes.

The Benefits of Extreme Sport as a Team Building Activity

Team Building Activities Extreme sports are increasingly in popularity for a number of reasons. More and more people become interested every year! Adrenaline is increased. They’re great for your physical health, when properly trained. The positive mental effects are noticeable. The benefits of Extreme Sport as a Team Building Activity are endless.

1. Staying Centred

Extreme sports can be dangerous. Fear and panic can inhibit your performance. This could potentially lead to making a dangerous error in judgement. People who practice extreme sports safely change the way their mind works. They learn to stay calm during stressful scenarios.

Extreme sports can make decision making a less stressful activity. Staying centred and calm is the key to a healthy work life too. This aspect of Extreme Sport makes it really beneficial as a team building activity!

2. Stretching

It is important to stretch before a physical activity. It warms the muscles and makes it easy to move. Stretching before an activity like Paint Ball is recommended! Lunging to escape Paint Ball pellets can put strain on any part of your body. Stretching is necessary to prepare properly for extreme sports. The idea of warming up can be applied to the work place. Preparing for a difficult task by practising an easier, but similar, task is a good way to build confidence. It is a way to identify issues with performing the task early on. Mental and physical preparation makes the world of difference!

3. Developing Fear Management skills

Those who participate in Extreme Sports have the ability to convert their fear into a positive experience. Everyone feels a bit afraid the first time they base jump. Or some feel fear hopping behind the wheel of a Dirt Buggy. Seeing themselves making it out in one piece is hugely beneficial! Doing these activities in a safe way will help reduce a persons fear response.

But doing these things and seeing that you safely make it to the other side will help you reduce your fear response. This is a fantastic bonus to these team building activities. Your team will learn to be brave and to trust themselves! Brave enough to take on a more advanced role in the office. (Or brave enough to chance the socks and sandals combo to the company BBQ!)

4. Using Different Muscles

Simple every day tasks use the same muscles. Exercise, especially the Extreme Sport variety, uses muscles we normally wouldn’t use. You might be surprised at how your arms feel after giving Archery Tag a go! Sore at first, but gradually stronger! Using muscles that you don’t normally need to use is great for your physical health. So, if your work is office based Extreme Sports are an excellent way to get the energy back into your bones! Team Building Activities that promote physical health can be the most enjoyable. Get your team moving in places they forgot existed!

5. Networking!

People love to socialise. Getting to know one another outside of the workplace can be really rewarding. When brought into a new environment, people love to chat to each other. They want to share their experiences. Chatting to others in between taking turns Zorbing will be nearly as fun as the actual activity! Socialising and trying new things increase brain function and happiness! You are more likely to get into a giant plastic ball and roll down a hill with a pal, right? That is bonding! Extreme Sports are such an effective Team Building Activity in this regard. Networks can be made between people that aren’t in each others immediate team.

Get out there! Get your team into some Extreme Sports!

Looking for something a little bit more relaxed? Check out our Spa and Pamper Activities!

The post The Benefits of Extreme Sport as a Team Building Activity appeared first on BigPotatoes.

5 Positive Effects of Team Building Activities

Team Building Activities have been proven to have a significant and positive impact on teams. We all want to work together productively! And in a positive environment where we can be satisfied professionally. The 5 Positive Effects of Team Building Activities will show below.

Most companies use a wide variety of techniques and strategies to help their team get to know each other. Company outings and office games may seem like the opposite of hard work, that’s because – they are! But they serve an important purpose. Activities like these are extremely beneficial to building valuable interpersonal relationships in the work place. A team that this connected communicates with one another in a clear way! They motivate one another to reach goals. Getting to know each other in turn leads to better problem solving skills! It also leads to collective creativity and the ability to work together to achieve a common goal.

Communication

Lets starts off this list with the most important thing a team needs, communication skills! There are a number of ways to increase communication between employees. Being able to communicate ideas is a beneficial skill for your team to have. Team Building Activities that increase communication skills are a must! If your employees work remotely this is very important. Communicating via e-mail has its pit falls! Try playing one of our suggested Team Building Activities for Remote Teams.

Problem Solving

Team Building Activities have there roots in problem solving. Problem solving exercises encourage a team to work as a unit. They can be challenging and rewarding. These feelings will transfer into the workplace! A Trip to an Adventure Centre is a fantastic way to get your teams mental cogs turning. Using problem solving skills in a physical way stimulates the brain. You would be surprised how figuring out how to rock climb or similar would boost your creative problem abilities in the work place

Creativity

Creativity and Problem Solving work hand in hand. You want to encourage your team to think outside of the box! Creative thinking can lead to new effective solutions. It can also, most importantly, make work fun for your team! They say creativity is intelligence having fun! Keeping this in mind, why not take your group to a Life Drawing Class? As Far as Team Building Activities go – this one will be memorable. Activate your teams creativity by allowing them to draw a live nude model! Take the artwork back to the office and have it framed to create a gallery wall! Show your team how important creativity is to your company. 

Work Satisfaction

Being satisfied in the workplace is the reason many people stay with their current jobs. They are happy in their environment. They’re part of something they are proud of. They might have great friendships within the office. They might feel like their work is being appreciated. They’re being rewarded! Ultimately, they are happy to go to work in the morning! Increase Work Satisfaction by rewarding you hardworking employees with a Work Night Out! Enjoying a night out together is a Team Building Activity that will never go a miss! Or perhaps a Spa Day? An opportunity to relax and be pampered can be more exciting for some!

Inner and Outer Health

Lastly, on our 5 Positive Effects of Team Building Activities. Consider the health and wellbeing of your team should be the top priority! Especially if the role they are in is sedentary or office based. Break out of the stuffy office for a day and try out one of our Water based activities! What better way to get the blood pumping! The fresh air and the physical activity will do wonders for your staff! They will feel like they are working somewhere that appreciates fun! Forget the office for a day and head out onto the water! Come back feeling refreshed and ready to take on new tasks!

Finally, Team Building Activities have infinite positive effects for both you and your team. Regular group activities makes for a happy and active team! Try out some of our suggestions and notice the improvement in your teams energy! Will you spot the 5 Positive Effects of Team Building Activities?

The post 5 Positive Effects of Team Building Activities appeared first on BigPotatoes.

Team Building Activities for Remote Teams

Do some of your employees work from home? Or abroad? Make the whole team feel connected by trying out some of these team building activities for remote teams! These are a fun way to make everyone feel like they are working as one. Working remotely can be isolating and these activities will break down that wall, promote communication and a sense of belonging. Increasing a sense of camaraderie between team members who work away from the office will strengthen your team so that it can behave as one! All you need is an internet connection!

Guess the Office

Online Games

Cocktail Competition

Video Chat Charades  

Online Karaoke 

Looking for more Team Building Activities for Remote Teams?! How about one of our Weekend Packages! Get everyone in the same space for a whole weekend!

Finally, if you’re planning an upcoming event or looking for more information on team building activities for remote teams. Drop us a line on info@bigpotatoes.ie!

The post Team Building Activities for Remote Teams appeared first on BigPotatoes.

Top Team Building Activities

There are endless benefits to Team Building for both you and your employees. At the end of the day, the people you work with can be a huge part of how enjoyable your job is. For many it is the deciding factor of whether they will stay with a company for longer than a year. Give people a chance to make friends with their co-workers! Make your space a positive and open atmosphere where people can excel and feel satisfied! This list of Top Team Building Activities includes places your team can visit to experience something new, exciting or relaxing. They will share this experience with one another and be united!

Dirt Buggy Track

A Dirt Buggy Track is one of the most exciting Team Building Activities! Hop behind the wheel for some fast and furious fun!

A Dirt Buggy (or Dune Buggy) is is a recreational vehicle with large wheels and wide tires which was designed to be used on sand dunes, beaches or in the desert. Spur on your team mates to win in a race against another team!

Dirt Buggy racing helps build motivation techniques within a team. Drivers engage with a sense of competition and energy which they will enjoy and eventually apply to the workplace! This team building activity breeds active and supportive team members who enjoy giving each other a boost!

Dolphin Watching

We are so excited to add this to our list! Dolphin Watching is one of the most memorable experiences your team will enjoy! Dolphins are a favourite among many. They are funny, charming and clever! Qualities that they no doubt share with the members of your team.

Your team will be inspired by the Dolphins playful energy and learn to make work fun. Visiting these intelligent creatures will be all your team talks about for months. A visit to the coast will air out stuffy office heads with a fresh, salty sea breeze. The group will love the chance to breathe it all in!

Set sail along the Irish Coast and see what you can spot! There is an abundance of marine life waiting to be discovered. Bring a flask of hot tea on the boat for a warming chat with the person who sits at the desk across from you.

Finish off the trip with a bit of grub and you are in for a winner. We love this team building activity that really empowers team bonding.

Millinery

Have an Event coming up? Visiting a Millinery at the start of Summer is a great way to prepare for an upcoming wedding season! Give your team an opportunity to learn a new skill! Learning a new skill promotes everything an effective team needs. Communication, creativity and patience.

A Millinery is not just a activity for people who would wear the hat or fascinator they make. Members of your team will have fun getting creative. Maybe they will make a hat for their partner, or even the cat! This team building activity is all about having fun and experimenting with new ideas.

Tip: Maybe have everyone make a hat for someone else working in the office. That will give people are opportunity to find out what style they might like – or what would make them laugh! This really promotes team bonding. Reveal who made a hat for who at the end of the outing and take a group picture. Frame the picture and hang it in the office to give your team a good laugh. This will make everyone feel like they are all part of a big mad family!

A Pottery Studio

Get your team into a creative mind space by signing them up for a trip to a Pottery Studio. Many members of your team may not have done this before. Experiencing something for the first time together will strengthen the connection between team members! Using a pottery wheel is also a very relaxing way to make something of your own.

Using your hands is an effective way to stimulate brain activity while also relieving stress. The pay offs for visiting this Team Building activity never end! And there may be some masterpieces made! Or you may end up with some funny looking jugs decorating your office. Either way it will be a memorable team building activity and team building idea!

Make your local Pottery Studio a Top Team Building Destination. It is enjoyable for all ages and abilities!

Finally, if you’re planning your next team building event. Make sure you drop us a line on info@bigpotatoes.ie for more details on these top team building activities!

The post Top Team Building Activities appeared first on BigPotatoes.

3 of the Best Ice Breakers for a Team Bonding Session

Looking for ways to break the ice?! Whether you have a whole new team or new employees joining – these are 3 of the Best Ice Breakers for a team Bonding Session. Maybe a group of employees are returning from work elsewhere and a new team has been formed? Maybe you have just started a new company and no one knows anyone at all yet! Get the ball rolling. Start the conversation!

Year of the Coin

Hand out a coin to each person and ask people to share something they were doing the year the coin was made. Were they listening to Kings of Leon on the way to college? Where they getting their braces removed? Or living in another Country? Find out!

This is a great way for people to get to know a thing or two about the team they are working with! It is one of the easiest and best ice breakers for a team bonding session! It’s also a great little team building idea to kick start a meeting and change things up.

Would You Rather

Everyone knows this game! Play it at your next Team Bonding Session, team building activity or as way to start a meeting. Anyway, take turns going around the room asking each person a “Would You Rather” question. Here are a few examples:

“Would you rather own a mansion or have the ability to talk to animals?”

“Would you rather be able to fly or be able to read minds?”

“Or Would you rather hold one giant spider or several small spiders?”

The list goes on! Maybe write down some creative ‘Would you Rather’ questions to pull out of a hat. This might take the pressure off people having to invent them on the spot! Ask your team to come prepared with a few to toss in!

Two truths and one lie

If you have a group of new employees starting today, this game is fantastic! Get existing staff to get to know new team members by playing this ice-breaking game.

Gather everyone at lunch and invite them to play. Ask everyone to come up with two things that are true about themselves and one thing that is a lie. Then ask people to share their three facts.

“I have 2 sisters, one of which works here in the company”

“I’ve met Beyonce at a Mac store”

“I have 6 cats”

Can you guess which one isn’t true?! Everyone has to try to guess the right answer. This leads to lively anecdotes about life experiences and memories!

These Ice breakers are a great way to have some laughs and relive the tension of starting something new! Why not try taking the team out of the office so that they can get to know each other in a new context. Check out our list of Water Based Activities! Why not start of this new phase with a splash!?

Finally, will you be trying any of these 3 of the Best Ice Breakers for a Team Bonding Session?

The post 3 of the Best Ice Breakers for a Team Bonding Session appeared first on BigPotatoes.

3 Ways to Show Your Staff Appreciation

At the end of the day, your staff are what makes your company so great! They are the force keeping everything going. Whether you have hundreds of employees or a group of five, they are all important. This is a list of 3 ways to show your staff appreciation are the best ways to show your team you care about them.

Celebrate Happy Birthdays

Celebrate your staff members birthday by ordering a big cake. Be it lemon drizzle, apple pie or a big chocolate sponge cake! Find out their favourite and pop some candles on it. A cake with a picture of their face on it will be sure to go down a treat.

Get them a gift! Ask around to find out what they would appreciate the most. A simple piece of jewellery or a luxury Spa break? Or tickets to an upcoming rugby match! Order pizza for the office and make lunch break a party!

Have employees birthdays on a calendar so that no one is left out. Show your Staff Appreciation by throwing them a birthday party!

Host events for the entire company.

Hosting an event for the entire company is a great way to say Thanks for all the hard work.

An Annual Christmas Party or Summer BBQ is something fun to look forward to. Employees can get dressed up and get to know one another. Maybe hire a professional band to play? A jazz band to keep things elegant or something more upbeat like a band plays nostalgic songs from the 80’s and 90’s! Show your whole staff appreciation by finding out what they are into by using a suggestions box!

Having a themed party is a great way to break the ice. 1920’s Prohibition themed nights will always be a favourite. Any fancy dress party will get people excited. Don’t forget to give a prize for the best costume!

Redecorate the Break Room

Jazz up your break room to make it a place where your employees actually want to spend their break! A few stylish tables and chairs and a big comfortable couch will make all of the difference. A nice big television so that you team can catch up with the news. A decent coffee machine. A charging port for phones and electronics would be very useful!

The break room is a great place to put up pictures of employee of the month! Show your team that you are thinking of them by making the break room somewhere comfortable. The group will love relaxing and socializing in this professional but cosy space.

So there you have it folks. Just 3 Ways to Show Your Staff Appreciation. It doesn’t take much but these activities will boost team morale and productivity long term in the team.

Finally, if you need any help in planning your next work night out or team building event. Make sure and drop us a line on info@bigpotatoes.ie!

The post 3 Ways to Show Your Staff Appreciation appeared first on BigPotatoes.

Alternative Team Building Activities for 2019

Kick off 2019 by bringing your team together! These Alternative Team Building Activities are a great way to shake off the cobwebs of last year and start 2019 off with a bang. Your group will makes friends and get to know each other whilst having fun! Alternative games and outings are a quirky way to get the ball rolling for a strong and happy team. Boost morale and productivity!

Cook-Off

This culinary team-building activity will turn out some tasty results! Hosting a company cook-off is an exciting way to engage with your employees team work and leadership skills. Separate the group up into smaller teams. Pick a food category. Food categories like Salsa, Chile, Pizza, Lasagne – would make it easy for most people to take part! Provide everyone with the same ingredients! This had to start our list of Alternative Team Building Activities. Who in your team is a secret chef!? 

Tip : BBQ Cook Offs work really well! They always go down a storm. Have one at your next Summer BBQ!

Your Cook-Off will be a fun way to unite your team. Hopefully, it may end up in everyone with a full tummy and a smile on their face! It will bring out everyones inner chef. A prize of a chefs hat would be a great way to honour the winner! Maybe they will wear it around the office!

(In case of disasters, maybe keep a take-away menu and phone nearby)

Board Game Tournament

A Board Game Tournament is the perfect way for people to get to know each other. Your group will learn how to work together and even unleash their competitive sides! An team building activity like this is ideal as you don’t have to leave the office on what is, perhaps, a rainy day. Suggest a team-wide Board Game Tournament! It is a classic Alternative Team Building Activity. Good clean fun! (Unless you have one or two with a cunning competitive streak on your team!) 

Pick a game : Jenga, Trivia Pursuit, Operation or games using a deck of cards. Choose one game that all employees will play. Make a leader board and let your team compete for the top place!

Give prizes for First, Second and Third place. Mini Trophies or Vouchers for a local restaurant would really get people to compete for the top! Or reward the winning group with one of these special team awards events !

Escape Room Games

Escape Room Games are becoming one of the most popular Alternative Team Building Activities for 2019. We might have heard of them through TV shows, or seen pictures of friends participating in one. They require logic, patience, leadership skills and a lot of team work! Games like Puzzle break, Escape the Room and Adventure Rooms are challenging and exciting experiences your team will never forget.

Escape Room Games work by “locking” the group in a room for one hour. The timer is set and the race is on! The group must escape by solving puzzles, finding hidden clues and objects and finding the key to unlock the room!

These games are an invigorating way to encourage your team to think as one. An average of only 20% of teams make it out during the given hour! Be sure to incentivise the game by awarding the winner with something very special!

Volunteer

Supporting a good cause is a great way to give back to the community. Your team members will feel the benefit of doing something positive and bond as a group. Volunteering for local charities that aid homelessness or deliver Christmas gifts to children’s hospitals are an effective way to support your community. Promoting environmental awareness would greatly benefit your local area. Contact some local organisations and enquire as to how you can help out!

Maybe organise a fundraising marathon for a charity of your companies choice. Ask your company to vote on which charity to raise funds for. Make it an annual thing so that each year you can help something different!

Your team will enjoy working together for a charitable cause!

Kayaking/Canoeing

Suggest some outdoor activities to your group. Kayaking or Canoeing are seriously fun ways to get everyone hyped and ready to work together! Encourage people to pair up with other employees who they maybe have not worked with before. The incentive to keep dry and out of the water is one way to get people to work together. If your team likes excitement and getting out there, check out these water based activities! 

If members of your team would rather do something a little more relaxing, why not organise a cruise on the river. The group will love taking it easy and watching the water.

Water based activities are something different for a lot of people! They will remember the day out and get to know fellow employees. 

So there you have it folks. Our list of Alternative Team Building Activities for you to think about!

Finally, if you’re interested in booking your next team building activity or event. Make sure to drop us a line on info@bigpotatoes.ie for more details!

The post Alternative Team Building Activities for 2019 appeared first on BigPotatoes.

To be honest, there are plenty more reasons to let us look after the organisation of your team building activities. Plenty more than 5 anyway that is. But for today we have put together our Top 5 Reasons To Pick BigPotatoes.ie.

Party Planning Experts

When we say we are party planning experts! We mean it. For over 10 years we have been organising hen parties, stag parties and baby showers for all different sized groups and have heard every special request you can think of. We have helped ensure each group has had a truly great night or weekend away.

Save Money

We work with some of the best suppliers in the business all over Ireland and the UK. We have negotiated some fantastic discounts so that we can organise brilliant package deals for you and your work mates.

Customer Service

Our customer support agents are some of the friendliest people in the business. They are on hand to guide and inspire you to plan the best team bonding session for your group. They simply want you to make sure you have a great time.

Only The Best

We know only the best will do for your work team, and that’s the way it should be! We only work with the best suppliers and deal with the best activity centers across Ireland and the UK.

Best Locations

Wherever you want to have your team bonding session across Ireland, we have you covered. If you and the team even feel like hopping across the pond or further a field we can sort that to!

Here are just 5 reasons of 100’s to pick BigPotatoes.ie for your team building session. Contact our team today and let us guide you through organising a team bonding session or night out your staff won’t forget.

The post Top 5 Reasons To Pick BigPotatoes.ie appeared first on BigPotatoes.

11 Tricks to Look Smarter In Meetings

BigPotatoes.ie are here to help every aspect of your team. Now our expertise is in creating fantastic and mind blowing team building events, Christmas parties and work nights out to mention a few. But we do like to help out in your day to day life. We all have meetings we’d rather not be in or at or wondering why you even need to be there. When that happens we tend not to focus as much or put to much effort in. So, here are 11 Tricks to Look Smarter In Meetings to hide that lack of focus.

1. Percentages into Fractions

When some starts stating percentages this is your chance to chime in with some very quick math to impress everyone and make them think you’re fully engaged in the meeting. For example “20% of people are finding us via mobile” you reply with “So about 1 in 5”

People will nod in agreement and make a note.

2.  “Take a Step Back”

Four beautiful words that you should all have ready to go if you’ve drifted away and are now not sure what’s happening in the meeting. People are all talking quickly and you’re the only one not inputting. This is your moment to come in and say “Let’s take a step back” and then follow it swiftly with something like “What are actually trying to achieve?”. And now you’ve bought yourself another 30 minutes of not thinking but still look smart.

3. Taking Notes

This is a classic and was always going to make 11 tricks to look smarter in meetings. Bring a note pad to the meeting. Write down a word from each sentence. A note some would call it. All the time nodding your head. You’ll look engaged, concentrated and smart.

4. “Can this be Scaled?”

Another fantastic four word saying that must have been invented specifically for meetings. Again, if you’re looking to appear a touch smarter in a meeting. When the opportunity presents itself, hit them with “Can this be scaled?”. Scaled up, scaled back you name it. It’s a great universal term to add input into a meeting.

5. Can I See the Last Slide Again

Very similar to point to number 3 above. Asking can you go back to the last slide to make note makes you appear smarter, more engaged and have a willingness to take in all the information. Make sure you actually say that you want to make note of something. Otherwise you do run the risk of looking like you were not paying attention.

6. Important Phone Call

We’ve all done it at some point in our lives. It may not have been a meeting but we’ve all utter those words “I have to take this” and then swiftly leave the room. It’s probably your mother on the line asking how your day is going and will you be out at the weekend for dinner. Vitally important phone call.

It is still however a great move to demonstrate ones importance and their work ethic as they seem busy.

7. Explain that for Everyone

We’ve all been in a meeting when someone says a word or something that you have zero clue about. Don’t worry guys, there is a fantastic way to find out what they mean and look smart at the same time. It goes something like this…”I’m not sure everyone in the team knows what [insert word] means, can you explain it?”

8. Acronyms

Want to look smart in a meeting? Simple. Turn a phrase into an acronyms. When some says something like “we’ll need those yearly progress reports by Monday” and you chime up with “I’ll get working on those YPR’s for Monday”!

9. Sticky Notes

This trick can be used both in meetings and on at your desk. Adding a sticky not to pages in a presentation with a note is always a smart looking move. Also having sticky notes physically stuck to your laptop also shows how smart you are and your work ethic is so good that you need the information in direct eye line as not to waist time.

10. Alternate between Agreeing and Disagreeing

Another classic manoeuvre to use in a meeting to look smart. Switch from agreeing with certain things and disagreeing with others. It shows that you’re considering both sides and have an opinion. It goes something like “I like the sound of that” to “I’m not to sure about that”

11. Email Summary

Finally on our list of 11 tricks to look smarter in meetings, at the very end of the meeting to help you look smarter. Ask who is going to send an email with a summary of today’s meeting. We’d advise you avoid doing it yourself personally if you were not being paying attention!

So, there you have it, 11 Tricks to look Smarter In Meetings! Have you come across any of these in your previous meetings? And will you be using any of them in an upcoming meeting?

Lastly, if you’re looking to organise a work night out or team building event. Drop us a line on info@bigpotatoes.ie!

The post 11 Tricks to Look Smarter In Meetings appeared first on BigPotatoes.

Team Building For The Haters

There’s no getting away from it folks. We’ve all worked with or come across someone that absolutely hates team building events. As soon as they hear there is a team building event, work night out or summer BBQ coming up. They’ll start piping up about how boring they are blah, blah, blah. The reality is that they’ve been on god awful team building events before and have a negative experience because of that. They simply need a BigPotatoes.ie team building event. Here’s Team Building For The Haters!

As I mentioned earlier you’ll hear the haters pipe up in the run up to the event with a few classic nuggets. We’ll go through them now.

A Team Building Event is a Waste of Time

Unless they’re a complete workaholic, which they probably are not, most people enjoy a break from their work to refresh their mind. That’s why a lot of us live for the weekend right. If they say it’s a waste of time it’s simply down to their dislike of team building events or they’re simply blind to their benefits.

Take them aside, explain the company’s short and long term goals and the team performance on every level is going to drive this. Then explain that you are not all going to be sitting in a room talking it all out. You’ll be out enjoying activities like paintball, surfing or even paint a nude. Then detail each of their benefits to the team like communication, interpretation and developing a deeper trust. Also, they might change their tune if it’s during work hours.

Team Building Activities Are Stupid

Again, this comes from a previous negative experience on a team building event that required them to impersonate an animal or had to do a scavenger hunt that they had no interest in doing. But, we guarantee when they hear they’re going for a Spa Day, Cocktail Making Class, Zorbing or even driving Dirt Buggies. They won’t think team building activities are stupid!

I Get Tired From High Energy Team Building Activities

Fair point, some people don’t fancy working up a sweat in a variety of high octane outdoor activities. They may also not be the most physically fit either. So, to avoid this let them know that as your team building event or work night out, you’re just enjoying a Gin Tea Party, A Cruise on a River or just indulge in a little BBQ. It’s all about getting to know your work colleagues better and creating long lasting relationships.

It’s Awkward And It’s Just Forcing People to do Things Together

Depending on the size of your team, most people within the team know each other. It’s not like you’re asking them to have a team building activity with a complete stranger. You can always select team building activities to suit their comfort level. Something like a trip to an Adventure Centre is a great option as there is normally a wide variety of activities to choose from that are both individual and team based.

Again reinforce the benefits of the team building activity, the reasons you’re doing these activities and that it all helps to your long term goal.

I Hate To Lose

By there very nature team building activities such as karting or paintball are competitive. If the person in question is overly competitive it’s always a good idea to speak about the process rather than the outcome. Set up your activities as a cumulative event that everyone feeds into the overall result.

So, there have it folks, just a few tips for Team Building For The Haters.

Finally, for more details on booking your next team building event. Drop us a line on info@bigpotatoes.ie now.

The post Team Building For The Haters appeared first on BigPotatoes.

5 Types of People That Make Up a Team

Every team is made up of many different parts, components, procedures and most importantly people. A happy team is a well working team. Team building events, work nights out or even the Christmas party all feed into creating a dynamic and high performing team. However, it’s important to identify the types of people in a team and also realize which need to be driven on or removed. Here are the 5 Types of People That Make Up A Team!

The High Performer

This person knows what to do, where to bring the company or team and is the person on the team that drives things on. They’ll be the one that takes full responsibility for his job and this will benefit the team or organisation immensely.

The Worker

Every team has one and needs a great worker in the team. They’ll have an appetite to work, learn and continually improve themselves. The correct guidance, training and challenges will ensure that in the future the worker will transition into ‘the High Performer’.

The Less Effective Worker

We’ve all worked with one or been in a team with someone who is willing to somewhat help. They’ll do their work but their contribution is not making a huge difference to the overall result.

The Trouble Maker

The trouble maker or potential trouble maker tends to go up and down. They fluctuate between helping and doing zero work which is destructive to any team. His influence makes work for the team harder and less predictable for the other members.

The Suppressive Person

They are the one member of a team that often goes unnoticed but is destroying the operation, company or team. They often spend the majority of their time hiding his/her deeds, poor work or lack of motivation with the use of a “nice” social mask. If this person goes undetected, it can be a very dangerous threat to any organisation.

Learning how to differentiate between the different members of any team is vital for the growth of any team. This will help your team perform more effectively and allow your team to feel more safe and stable in their roles and reach their goals. Team building activities and events will help to move people from one type of worker to another or at least strive to become a high performer.

So there you have it, the 5 Types of People That Make Up a Team. Now all you have to do is ask yourself, which one am I?

Finally, don’t forget to get in touch about planning your next team building event and drop us an email on info@bigpotatoes.ie!

The post 5 Types of People That Make Up a Team appeared first on BigPotatoes.

Office Jokes To Get You Through The Day

Sitting in the office with your mates and wanting to get some atmosphere in to the room? Now, I don’t mean open the window! But here are some Office Jokes To Get You Through The Day!

Ok, here we go!

• To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research
• Team work is important; it helps put the blame on someone else.
• I’m great at multitasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at once.
• I didn’t say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.
• My memory has gotten so bad it has actually cause me to loose my job.
  I’m still employed. I just can’t remember where.
• Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
• The trouble with being punctual is that nobody’s there to appreciate it.
• Drink coffee! Do stupid things faster with more energy!
• How do construction workers party? They raise the roof.
• If you keep your feet firmly on the ground, you’ll have trouble putting on your pants.
• The reason we “nod off to sleep” is so it looks like we’re just emphatically agreeing with everything when in a boring meeting.
• I couldn’t work today because of an eye problem. I just can’t see myself working today.

Had enough yet?

• I can’t believe I got fired from the calendar factory. All I did was take a day off.
• I always tell my hires, don’t think of me as your boss, think of me as a friend who can fire you.
• A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station…
• I have a lot of jokes about unemployed people but none of them work.
• Discretion is being able to raise your eyebrow instead of your voice.
• Sometimes the best helping hand you can give is a good, firm push.
• Archaeologist: someone whose career lies in ruins
• You’re never too old to learn something stupid.

Let’s hope this helps beat the midday slump in the office!

And always remember…. If at first you don’t succeed, redefine success!

Finally, start planning your next team building event and drop us a line on info@bigpotatoes.ie for more details!

The post Office Jokes To Get You Through The Day appeared first on BigPotatoes.