Team building activities in Ireland : Our top 5 is a toe dip into the vast array of activities available to those that want to organise a worthwhile team building experience for members of staff. The range goes from sedentary to pampering and from gut busting to high wire adrenaline pumping.

We at Bigpotatoes have a list as long as Desperate Dan’s arm but today we want to focus your mind on our top five.

1. Go-Karting

This one always hits the spot and the beauty is that while it’s an adrenaline rushing activity it’s always safe. The Karts are low slung vehicles with small wheels, fitted with safety gear and impossible to flip over. There are plenty of karting tracks both indoor and outdoor and dotted around the country. When you arrive at the track you are fitted with a special suit and helmet and made to feel like Jensen Button. Once in the car you have two objectives, beat your team mates and beat the clock. Lots of hair pin bends, sweeping corners and straight sections for overtaking. So why wait. Bang… you’re off!!

2. Off Roading

This is an experience for the petrol heads. This is 4×4 off road driving that will test the skill sets of the most committed “would be” rally driver or adventure motorist. There are many venues around Ireland that utilise abandoned trails, bogs, small rivers, steep inclines, mud baths and obstacles with frightening names such as coffin and twister. There are different courses, some will suit more experienced off road drivers and others are for starlet drivers. The team will be enthralled with this activity and will usually do three circuits of a course while navigating through “gates” that are usually situated at the most awkward part of the course. You can hire a 4×4 at the venues or have a go in your mothers Toyota Yaris. That should be fun!! www.motorsportireland.com

3. Assault courses

This is the daddy of all team building activities. It is what separates the sheep from the lambs. Team building for the good, the bad and the ugly. No place for wimps. It’s up to your arse in mud and muck as you physically challenge the course, your team and yourself. This makes a mockery of jogging in the park. There are several events, team events that can be used for personal development and team building. Tough Mudder, Mudfest and toughest Muckers are a few. It’s messy, very messy and challenging but

the adrenaline rush compensates for looking like a hippo after a mud bath. Competitors and team builders should be sure to have their spinach, like Popeye, before they head on a 10 k mud run. It takes team building to a new level, if you survive. Other forms of assault courses are zip wire and obstacle courses. If any team member was not in the habit of making mud pies as a child they might prefer a jog in the park.

4. Zorbing

Team building for head cases would be an appropriate way of describing Zorbing. It’s high octane stuff where team members are encased in a giant see-through plastic sphere before being rolled down an incline at speed. Just you and your vomit to keep you company. You are of course harnessed but the “Gawk” is not. Its crazy stuff and very popular but give it a skip if you suffer from motion sickness. “Burp”.. Sorry!!

5. Sailing

There was a time where it was the preserve of the G&T brigade in their white slacks and plimsoles. Not anymore baby. Yacht racing is regarded as one of the top 5 most dangerous sports in the world. It’s a great team building sport. There are 40 different classes of craft that run courses. www.sailing.ie There is also a great social side to this sport and it ranks in our team building activities in Ireland, our top 5.

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Summer BBQ for staff : 5 top do’s and don’ts like these are super useful. Sometimes it appears as if Christmas is still visible in the rear view mirror when the days get longer and you’re sucking in the smell of freshly mown grass. Summer has arrived and it is time to shake off the winter blues and get outside.

Time once again to organise the annual BBQ for all the staff at the company. Team leaders need to step up to the plate and recruit willing members for the BBQ team as the first step in putting the annual bash together. There are two ways of organising the annual Gig; firstly, the easy way and that is to hire in an outside caterer and just sit back with all the staff and team leaders and enjoy the stress less occasion. Secondly, get a team of volunteers together and do it the hard way. Yes, a self catering BBQ. The craic is mighty and it does give people a chance to show off skills that might not be apparent in their everyday work life.

Team leaders can make this a fun day or make a complete balls of it so getting it right is important.

So Bigpotatoes has put together a summer BBQ for staff; the top 5 do’s and don’ts

1. Do get everyone involved in the planning.

It’s a big undertaking and if the group is large there is a huge amount of work involved. We also know that most staff like to be involved in helping and it creates a better atmosphere and fosters better friendships. It gives normal team leaders a chance to evaluate other skill factors in their colleagues.

Do NOT go on a solo run or an ego trip so that all the glory falls into your lap with the attitude of “look what I can do”

2. Do select a proper venue.

It may be on the sports field attached to the business or in a beer garden attached to some watering hole. Be sure that you have access to power and water and that it’s in a sheltered area.

Do NOT pitch the BBQ on the top of a hill where the wind will make it difficult to keep the cooking running smoothly. Also make sure that access to the site is easy for vehicles. On a beach with access down a rocky slope gets you zero points.

3. Order proper quantities of food and booze.

If unsure ask a professional. Make sure that there are enough food containers, cutlery, plates, glasses, booze and bags of ice. Make a list and use the KISS philosophy. (keep it simple stupid)

Do NOT underestimate the quantities and at the same time do NOT grossly overestimate either. It’s bad enough being short on the day, but it is just as bad chucking oodles of leftover food into the bin. Make sure that the balance is right. Drinks can be done on a sale and return basis.

4. The actual BBQ itself can either be gas fired or charcoal.

Gas is easier and cleaner and gives better control. Get advice on the size of the BBQ to cater for a crowd. The hire people will guide you in the right direction. Start cooking in plenty of time so there’s no one dropping from starvation.

Do NOT use throw away tin foil trays with a few knobs of charcoal for a large group. Be professional in your approach. Also do NOT leave metal tongs or forks lying on the hot flames. Going to A&E in the middle of the event with burnt hands with spoil your day.

5. Be sure to order enough tables and chairs so that everyone is comfortable while eating.

Also remember the fair skinned Irish, they will need to sit in the shade so order some parasols.

Do NOT get plastered by drinking on an empty stomach as you pretend to be Gordon Ramsey at the Summer BBQ for staff.

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4 reasons why we love it :

Historically, Dublin was known as the pale and the rest of Ireland was referred to as “beyond the pale”; in a peculiar kind of way the same yardstick could apply today. Well, the Dub’s, as the natives of the city would have us believe that, if they had their way. One thing for sure, it is the centre of the Irish universe and without doubt we would recommend Dublin for your end of season night away, 4 reasons why we love it.

1. The centre of the Irish universe.

Strictly speaking Athlone is in the centre of Ireland and it is on a line west of Dublin, but for size, scale and population The Capital is vast compared with all the other cities in the country. It lies on the east coast about half way between the top and bottom of the country. Ease of access in terms of transport is a Godsend for any team planning an end of season night away.

Dublin is served by a very efficient rail network. It is also connected to all other major cities in the country by motorway. Dublin airport is one of the busiest in Europe, if your team is based outside the Island of Ireland. Likewise the port has ferry connections to the UK and Europe. If your team is planning on a

major “knees up” then don’t designate a driver, stay safe, hire a coach or use public transport.

2. Places to go, Things to see and do.

We are back to the old chestnut here of “how long is a piece of string” but as it is Dublin for your end of season night away, it is best that we stay focused on life after dark. Dublin is like New York in that is a city that never sleeps. Massive range of activities for the team if building up a sweat is on the menu for the team members. Dublin tourism can provide your team with all the options.

Meanwhile Bigpotatoes would suggest some of the following; a visit to the live theatre, if getting a lash of culture is your bag; alternatively the concert hall usually has some great musicals or the 3 Arena for a musical gig. This arena is a great spot for international stars, groups, bands and solo singers. Planning is definitely needed well in advance for a show as the tickets are advertised as early as a year in advance. It’s a great end of season gig for the team. A trip to Vickers Street is another option, again a bit of forward planning. It’s more intimate than the Arena and can have great comedy shows. If the team arrives early in Dublin a trip around the city on the amphibious Viking vehicles and a splash into the Liffey is mighty craic. Maybe the team has a “lip” so a trip to the Guinness Hop store could sort out that problem with some samples of the “black stuff”, or as Arthur Guinness used to say, “A pint of plain is your only man”

3. Choice of accommodation

Dublin is spoilt for choice when it comes to bed nights. More Hotels and bed and breakfasts than you could shake a stick at Bigpotatoes have lots of deals in the capital and will be only too glad to steer your team in the right direction. Look, that’s what we do!

3. Nightlife

Dublin rocks after dark and has everything that your team will look for in terms of music, food and drink and that is why we recommend Dublin for your end of season night away and 4 reasons why we love it

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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.

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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!

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Well, how long is a piece of string?

If you need to build sandcastles you go to a beach, if you need to go sailing you go to sea, and if your team decides that mountain climbing is the perfect event for them then it’s off into the country and find a mountain range.

Horses for courses: So then why would we think it strange that the team would select Dublin as a destination for team building? It is the capital city of the country and has the greatest and most diverse range of activities than anywhere else in the country! When it comes to team building and group bonding that we are all on different pages at the beginning. It takes time, effort, leadership and coaxing to sometimes get a consensus. Nothing wrong with that really and it does show democracy at work. Someone always needs to put their hand up and take the initiative. It’s what happens. Others prefer to be led than and that’s fine too. The whole point about leadership get-a ways and team building events is it opens up opportunities for those who neither are, nor regarded as natural leaders.

It also brings out qualities that may not be apparent in an office environment. It gives all participants a chance to see what other members can bring to the party. Just because a team member it red hot at computing doesn’t mean that they are dumb when it comes to outdoor pursuits or outdoor team leadership. There’s many a gem hidden under a corporate rock and a spell away from the work environment can often help to unearth such gems. So let’s bring it on.

Back to Dublin and the reasons for selecting it as a corporate event outing destination for the team.

The variety of activities, places of interest, art galleries, hotels, pubs, restaurants are as long as they are interesting.

Whatever we find in other places in Ireland, we can find the whole bundle of them in Dublin. Dublin is not just the capital of Ireland now, it’s a vibrant European city and pretty much like New York, it’s a city that never sleeps. The only drawback is probably the extent of the activities. There will surely be some disagreement within the group as to what is a priority. This takes the team back to the reality of democracy and consensus. THE main attractions are the art galleries and the museums, the range of bridges spanning the river liffey. The enormity of the phoenix park, which houses the Zoo and the Aras, home of the President of Ireland is not fully appreciated.

It totals over 1700 acres and is bigger than Central park in New York and Hyde Park in London. There are lots of other main stream activities to keep the team happy.

Another reason for selecting Dublin as a destination for the team is its access.

The main railway hub in Ireland is at Heuston Station and it services the south, the south east and the west of Ireland. A second station at Connolly serves the north east and Belfast. Dublin airport is now one of the busiest in Europe and has connections to multiple destinations in not just Europe but worldwide. Ferries sail in and out of Dublin Port every day to the UK and continental Europe. So it your group or team are planning a spell in Dublin and moving on as a part of that team building exercise all travelling options are open. Finally, Dublin as we have stated is not just the capital of Ireland, a European city, but is a multicultural location that can compete with the best in the world at anytime.

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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.

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Three stimulating reasons :

We all know the benefits that we gain from taking a leisurely walk in the countryside. The tingling feeling as the body warms up and the breathing increases. The gentle push of the breeze against your face, the sounds of the countryside, birds, cattle, farm machinery and some traffic all add to the moments of serenity and pleasure. The freedom of being out of the rat race, whether on your own or with a team training to get fitter and healthier, is of great benefit to you and your team. That’s an easy option and while very enjoyable for team training or solo recreation it will not bring on a stimulation that will leave you in a mind blowing situation. Let’s examine another team building extreme sport that will test the team and it daring qualities;

We are talking about Skydiving, also called parachuting.

There are several places in Ireland that cater for the parachuting enthusiasts and the nearest to Dublin is an area in Kildare. Generally, this sport is very much weather dependant.

Low cloud cover makes it a non event. Visibility is a key factor not just for the aircraft pilot, but for the teams participating.

Let’s be honest, there’s no point in jumping out of a plane at 10.000 feet if you can’t see the ground. The whole adrenaline rush would be lost.

We are highlighting three factors that make this team experience high on the adrenaline rush Geiger counter.

Number one is turning up at the aerodrome with all your team members and getting the feeling of trepidation as you kit out in the gear, parachute and slip on the helmet.

Gloves and goggles are supplied! Let’s be honest, this is an extreme sport and can be dangerous or fatal so qualified instructors are on hand to make sure that everything is done according to the regulations. Because there are risks means that we class it as an extreme sport. Therefore, the exhilaration that the team will experience illustrates our desire to push the boundaries out. Everything is done with military precision with no chances taken as the team enters the aircraft and prepares for takeoff.

Team leaders will say some reassuring words as the plane picks up speed and lifts off into the clear blue sky. Butterflies will begin swirling around in some stomachs, hands will become sweaty and mouths dry out. Suddenly the plane is at ten thousand feet and the instructor starts the jump sequence. No turning back at this stage as someone shouts “Geronimo” and disappears out into the great emptiness.

This is where the second great adrenaline rush kicks in as team members fall and accelerate to 120 miles per hour (terminal velocity) in less than ten seconds.

The wind rush distorts the facial features so the fear factor is not plain to see. It is an unbelievable feeling. A mixture of exhilaration, nervousness and thrilling expectation as the ground appears to rise up to meet you. The cord is pulled and the traffic slows down to a crawl. Time to draw breath and view the landscape from a place inhabited only by the birds; silence wraps you in a blanket and leaves the team in awe as the gap between feet and ground closes.

Then the third great adrenaline kicks in.

The landing is soft but the euphoria is truly hard core.

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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.

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Bigpotatoes continuously looks at alternatives for team building exercises. Many people just don’t know to start looking. Our expertise and knowledge is crucial in this regard. Bigpotatoes examines the range of activities and challenges that are available and matches them with your team building requirements. Some are high octane events. Others are physical and adrenaline pumping. More are “living on the edge” stuff. We do team building for those that want to go on tours. For teams that like marine activities. For teams that prefer quiet sedentary events. Other teams like to be chaperoned and touring is into their oil can. As we at bigpotatoes say, “its horses for courses”.

One that never fails to excite is a trip to Dublin City for the team. The range of interesting events, historical buildings and cultural occasions is huge. Train services to Dublin are from all corners of the country. So getting your team to the capital is not going to take a huge amount of effort and the team won’t spend days planning the travelling arrangements.

Again as we at bigpotatoes repeatedly say, plan, plan, plan.

Get the whole team involved in making the choices. Team leaders will ultimately make the final decision but get in with your tuppence worth, while you have a chance.

The First Reason :

The first reason that Dublin is perfect for team building is the diversity and ease of access. Take the train and arrive in Heuston station. From there take the luas to the city centre. Let the team walk over to O’Connell Street. Admire the spire; Visit the historic GPO where the Easter uprising began in 1916. The bullet marks are still visible in the outer walls. Take the team for a coffee or a light breakfast in any of the restaurants on O’Connell Street.

When the troops, meaning the team, are fed and watered take a bus out to Kilmainham Gaol. This is when the day really kicks off for the team.

The Second Reason :

The second and main reason the team has selected Dublin is the visit to Kilmainham Gaol.

The team will discover the fascinating history of the Gaol and the role it played in rallying the Irish people in the pursuit of independence. The highlights for the team are, seeing the execution site of the leaders of the 1916 Uprising. What else? A visit by the team to the Irish National War Memorial Gardens.

The team will also experience what life was like during the many Irish Uprisings. Therefore, they will hear about the historical events that changed the course of Irish History. And, everyone will first be taken on a guided walk through the famous Kilmainham Gaol! This means that they will discover the fascinating history and the role it played in rallying the Irish people to pursue independence from England and the English parliament.

Once inside the Gaol the team will hear of its dark history while walking in the footsteps of many of its inmates.  The team can learn about the Irish and English politics while the guide will tell the team more about some of its notorious prisoners including the leaders of the 1916 rising.

Many women were also incarcerated in Kilmainham

This is including Countess Markievicz, an Irish Politician and Nationalist who was awaiting execution for the part that she played in the Rising. The team will get a chance to visit the cells of some of the more infamous inmates as well as some of its youngest. The building itself has been fully restored and is a joy to visit.

The third reason is the conclusion of the team’s tour and dinner in Dublin!

Your team will be inspired and full of ideas after this trip. What better way to polish the day off with an amazing dinner in one of Dublin’s many celebrated restaurants.

Want to go further afield?! Check out our top three locations for Team Bonding in Europe!

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Sea kayaking as a team building exercise for hotel staff has a lot of benefits. One of the most important industries that we have in Ireland is the tourist and hospitality business. This has lead to more hotels. Why? The increase in demand for accommodation for both local and foreign visitors. 

It’s great to be in demand! But, gone are the days when any old standard was good enough as you could cover a multitude with the coat of Irish charm. Gone are the days of pigs in the parlour and chickens on the table. Visitors want proper standards in hotels. Those standards are maintained by the hotel staff. The team behind the team at the front desk; hotel staff more than staffs in any other business have to be so diverse and operate as different teams at different points of the establishment; those different teams also have to work in harmony.

That is why team building and team leadership is critical to the success of the business. The hotel teams are all working under enormous time pressures so team breaks to rejuvenate is very important. It will be appreciated and will contribute to better work relationships in the business.

Bigpotatoes suggests that the hotel workers team should get up close and personal with nature; get outdoors and do some river or sea Kayaking!

The First Reason :

The first reason for taking the team kayaking is to get everyone outdoors and into the fresh air. Kayaking is not the first activity that would spring to mind for most team organisers but it is brilliant. The Irish times said of their trip that it was one of the most magical experiences that you could have anywhere in the world. So at bigpotatoes we would as usual advise the team leaders to involve all the team in the putting together of the trip. The south coast of Ireland is our main focus and we will highlight some of the options and the thrills.

The Second Reason :

The second reason is the absolutely beauty of the scenery as the team takes to the kayaks and head off. There are starting points at lots of different locations, but we will concentrate and recommend a few for hotel teams.

One that would suit the team would be a full day trip of Baltimore and Carbery’s hundred isles. The team, in double kayaks will paddle off into some astoundingly beautiful and remote coves, caves and islands. They will glide gracefully and silently along observing the marine wildlife, the occasional dolphin, gulls and herons. There will be schools of mackerel and raw nature at sea level. Why is this beneficial? Well, this will relax the hotel team as they will feel in a different world. And, opportunities will be presented to the team to stop for lunch and refreshments. The team will return to the mainland later. All Kayak trips are supervised by trained operators who have a deep understanding of the waters and also the dangers.

The Third Reason :

There are several other kayak trips on the coast. Our third reason is the trip in Lough Hyne. Lough Hyne is Northern Europe’s only inland saltwater lake. This is a beautiful team building trip but is tide dependant. The trip begins in the Lough and makes its way to the open sea through a short channel called “the narrows”. Once in the open sea the team will have an opportunity to explore caves and islands before returning on the tide.

The Fourth Reason :

The fourth reason is doing a river trip under the bridges of the river Lee. Cork is sometimes referred to as the Venice of the north. View the city and learn the history from the views on the river.

So, sea kayaking as a team building exercise for hotel staff has many merits indeed! Show this list to your boss or your team and they will be reaching for their paddles. Enjoy this refreshing experience and breath new life into the bonds that exist within your team.

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St. Patricks day comes every year and it is a time that most of us enjoy. Whether we are new to the country and want to engage in the customs and traditions here, or have fond memories of watching the parade as a child – St. Patricks day can be a fantastic day out. Get in on the Paddy’s day cheer by organising a day of team bonding for your hardworking colleagues.

A trip the a Millinery is wonderful way to get some extravagant head gear ready for any St. Patricks day events! Perfect for the office gang who love getting crafty, this team building activity will have your team producing some seriously stylish creations. Use plenty of green tulle and beads to create the perfect Paddy’s day look.

St. Patricks day happens during Spring time in Ireland and this means that the weather is a combination of sunny spells with random pours of rain. If you are lucky enough to stumble upon some glorious weather this St. Patricks day, definitely head off on a Boat Tour. Relax and enjoy a drink with you co-workers whilst taking in the scenic Spring time views. Is there beginning to be a stretch in the evening!? We think so! (This would be the perfect event to sport your newly made St. Patricks day hat too!)

There you have it! The perfect recipe for an amazing St. Patricks weekend team bonding session. Maybe kick things off on the Friday of the bank holiday weekend. The extra day to relax and have fun will be wonderful news to your hardworking team.

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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! 

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How to make your Team Building Activities more effective

Planning Team Building activities can be beneficial for a number of reasons. Activities such as Watersports or Summer Barbecues can be a great way to network and create bonds! Make sure that your carefully planned activities yield positive outcomes. Learn how to make your team building activities more effective!

Have the activity during office hours

They might work in the most action packed, positive work space in town. They might absolutely love their job! And lets hope they do! It doesn’t matter how much a person loves their job, no one wants to spend extra hours in work. The evenings and weekends are for time off! No matter what company event is planned! Schedule Team Building Activities during a work day. Your employee can come in to something unexpected and fun. Unless you are planning a company wide week long trip to Bali – keep it to office hours!

Collaboration

Choose team building activities that encourages collaboration. Working together is so important. The strength of your team depends on how well they can work as a unit. Make collaboration a priority when setting out team building activities. Although competitiveness can be productive, but focussing on winning may derail the point of the exercise. Choose an activity that encourages your team to work together, instead against one another, to solve a problem. A Trip to an adventure centre is a good way to encourage working together. Centres often plan tasks that require team work to be completed!

Volunteering

Benefitting the community is wonderful motivation for a team. Volunteering their time to help out a local charity can be an effective team building activity. Your team will feel like they are making a difference! Working together to help others makes people feel good about themselves. It will enhance your teams self esteem. Spread the positivity! Plan a marathon, food drive or recycling incentive.

Going offsite

Taking your team out into the fresh air is a great way to get started! There are a number of exciting outdoor activities that you can plan. Venture beyond the four walls of the office for a day! Try something like surfing! Or Lets say you are planning a team bonding activity that could take place in a boardroom. Book this event somewhere offsite to shake things up! There are plenty of hotels that would be perfect for this kind of thing!

Accessibility

Make sure no one in your team feels left out. Many of us would enjoy active sports like paintball. The fast pace of such sports may not appeal to all members of your team! Consider the physical conditions and health needs of your employees. Choose something that everyone is excited about! Or give the group the option of two activities. Maybe one group hits the Dirt Buggys while another relaxes at a Spa! To each their own.

Communicate expectations

Communicate your expectations to your team. Before any team bonding sessions outline what you hope the outcomes will be. Make a list and send an e-mail around highlighting how the activities you have chosen could achieve these goals. Let them know that this activity should improve communication and stimulate creativity. Another could encourage networking and working together. Employees will respond to knowing why the activity is taking place!

Gather feedback

How did your crew find the trip to the pottery? It is so important to gather feedback. Ask people how they got on! Find out whether the planned activity was effective. Ask you team to provide constructive feedback. This is a great way to get to know your team. If something worked out well, maybe try it again the following year.

Finnally, How to make your Team Building Activities more effective all comes down to the willingness of the team to buy into them. Make sure to take some time to focus on this aspect also.

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We all go to work, do our jobs, and go home. Regardless of how fulfilling our jobs are, it’s nice to have a little surprise here and there. Little surprises from the boss help people feel connected to their work environment and make it that much more enjoyable. Have a read of our 10 Ways To Surprise Your Team. The idea is to increase engagement and productivity.

Food Time

For no reason just bring in some food to share. Some Bagels, fruit baskets, cookies, or even pizza. These are always a big hit!

Home Time Surprise

Why not tell everyone they can leave 30 minutes early for the day as a random surprise. Surprisingly, most people will not actually leave because they have work they don’t want to leave behind. But it’s still a really nice gesture that they will appreciate!

Personal Touch

We all love the personal touch. This little surprise is something you can do in personally without involving the rest of the team. Every once in a while, come in a little early to leave a personal note, complimenting the work done or thanking them if an extra special effort was made on a recent project. They will love that you took time to leave this personal compliment.

Work Somewhere Else

Work somewhere else for the day! Remember that time your teacher took you outside to have class? It’s the same feeling! We strongly recommend having regular team idea sessions in a different environment than the office. If you have a team meeting coming up that’s normally in a boring conference room, then why not head to a local park and sit at a picnic table? Or head to a local coffee shop or hotel lobby.

Funny Board

Get a little bulletin board in the office and every morning allow an employee to put up a funny picture, cheeky tweet, or quote. Even put this on a rota system so people know when they have to put up a funny piece.

Branded Gear

Show employees you appreciate them with cool gear. Organise t-shirts, stickers, coffee mugs or water bottles with business logo stamped on. Use them as little thank you gifts for the staff… And if they use them outside the office you now have some free advertising!

Walk Time

Take everyone out for a walk. Grab your team and just walk around the block or the park. This gets everyone chatting and really relaxes people. Such a nice surprise also to just randomly take 30 minutes out of the day for a little team bonding.

Music

Is your office usually pretty quiet? Mix it up a little, bring in a speaker, turn on the radio and have some tunes on!

Team Lunch

Team lunches are a great way to create a different kind of conversation that wouldn’t happen in the office. Organise a team lunch and to get to know your employees on a different level and in a different setting. This team bonding lunch allows your team to connect more.

Visit From The Family

Do you know the spouses or any family members of your team? Why not invite them to stop by? In the office we talk about our family, kids and pets every day and even see the pictures. But has your spouse ever actually seen where you work or what you do? Take a minute and say hi to them in person. It’s always a nice break in the day when your spouse or co-worker’s spouse stops by with the kids. It really lifts the mood in the office.

We all know their are benefits to team building. We really encourage you to brighten your teams day by trying one of our 10 Ways To Surprise Your Team or all if you feel like it! 

As a manager it is vital to know little tricks that motivate your staff, raise moral, make work enjoyable, and all resulting in increased productivity.

These are just a few ideas, and we’re sure you can come up with more. Don’t hesitate to experiment and we would love to know how they work with your team.

If you like the idea of organising some team building for your group. Then contact us today and let our expert team look after you.

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With so many brilliant activities to choose from, what will you and the team decide for your team building session? Well fear not, we’re the experts in planning superb team building events across Ireland and these are our Top 3 Team Building Activities for 2019.

Gin Tea Party

A Gin Tea Party is always a huge hit with teams and groups and it will be no different for 2019. This is a brilliant activity for those looking for something unique. Guaranteed everyone in the office will love this team building activity. So what are you waiting for? Take your team building night to the next level with a Gin Tea Party!

Style class

Next up on our list is a Style Class.

Without a doubt this is an activity all the ladies will enjoy. Spend an afternoon feeling simply fabulous and full of fashion inspiration. Trust in the hands of a professional stylist as they go through all the latest styles and trends while they share all their trade secrets. The stylist will show you how to dress for your shape, pick colours that compliment your natural skin tone and even how to maximise what’s already in your wardrobe.

Paint a Nude

We are leaving the best till last! If you’re looking to organise a truly unique team bonding activity that will everyone talking about for years to come… Then Paint A Nude class is the way to go! Unleash your artistic and creative side with this brilliant fun team building activity.

So, there you have it! Our Top 3 Unique Team Building Activities for 2019! What will you choose?

If you’re interested in organising a brilliant team building event. Contact us today on info@bigpotatoes.ie. 

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Places to Go in Cork with your Dog

Anyone who knows me will know that I love animals and in particular my oversized and over energetic puppy Indie. I love her to bits and take her with me everywhere I possibly can. Including the gym. My brother mentioned to me before that if he saw me walking down the street with 10 dogs he really wouldn’t be shocked. Anyone who has a dog will understand the bond. And by the looks of it Cork does too. There is nothing better then getting out about with our four legged friends safe in the knowledge you can pop into a cafe if the heavens open up or just to relax with a coffee in a dog friendly space. So here are just a few places to Go in Cork with your Dog!

Before I begin there are plenty of places that allow dogs in the outdoor areas like the Rising Sons and Coqbull. But for this article I’m just going to focus on places that allow you and your pooch inside.

Bark & Bumble

We have to start with Cork’s first dedicated dog cafe. Located just down from the South Infirmary and across the road from St Johns College. Bark & Bumble is a doggy heaven. They have a doggy treat bakery, coffees, clothes and toys. They also have an enclosed place inside for the dogs to socialize. Oh don’t worry they do have human food there too. If you’re in Cork, make sure to pop in with your pooch.

Myo Cafe

Staying in Cork City and on the other side of the bridges is Myo Cafe on Pope’s Quay. A lovely little cafe not far from the Shandon Bells. They do delicious food, coffee and teas. Dogs are allowed inside but must be kept on a lead. They’re a lovely bunch inside and will be sure to dote of your dog.

Alchemy

We’re still in Cork City folks. This is not just a dog friendly cafe but one for the coffee enthusiasts among us. Eh me. Not only do the fine folks in Alchemy allow you to bring your dog inside they also serve up 3fe coffee. There food is also to die for. Definitely worth checking out.

St Lukes Wine Tavern

Now should you fancy a glass of vino while you happen to be in the company of your four legged best friend. Then take a stroll up to St Lukes Wine Tavern. They have a great selection of wine as well as tapas, sandwiches, teas and coffees.

Nine Market St

If you’re thinking of taking a drive and have the pup with you. Kinsale is the place for you as it has 2 spots on our list of places to Go in Cork with your Dog! The first is Nine Market st that serve fantastic food all day. So after you have walked the dog, taken in all of Kinsale and have worked up a hunger. Enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner here! Dogs must be kept on the lead but that’s no biggy.

Cosy Cafe

On Sunday we brunch! If you fancy some Sunday brunch or anytime of the week in Kinsale. Pop over to Cosy Cafe. They do a savage breakfast, lunch and brunch all day. As well as some delightful pastries. They also have a dedicated dog bar outside the cafe.

So, there you have it folks. Just a few Places to Go in Cork with your Dog this weekend. If you know of any other places. Please do let me know on info@bigpotatoes.ie!

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6 Things to do in Cork this weekend!

I’m not sure about you but every week my better half asks ‘What will we do this weekend?’. Usually, I’ll suggest something that is immediately shot down before coming up a few more ideas that don’t involve sport. I thought to myself that surely I’m not the only one in this situation and that I’d share my 6 Things to do in Cork this weekend!

Jameson Distillery

We often don’t do tourist attractions that are on our own doorstep for some strange reason. Yet travel hundreds of miles to see others. Recently, I went to the magnificent Jameson Distillery in Midleton. You’ll get to enjoy a fantastic tour and learn all about the history of arguably Ireland’s finest whiskey. But you’ll also get a tour of the grounds, see how the whiskey is made. Enjoy a tasting of 3 different whiskeys and a drink in the bar also at the end. Well worth doing if you’re looking to do something this weekend folks! Maybe take the train is my advice!

The Crosshaven Walk

Now it all depends on what you want out of the weekend. But if you fancy enjoying the fresh air and going for stroll. Then I’d highly recommend the Crosshaven Walk. It starts in Carrigaline, and the car park is just about 30 seconds past the Carrigaline GAA club on the left. The walk runs along the water all the way to Crosshaven. It’s a beautiful scenic walk which is suitable for all levels of fitness. Once you get to Crosshaven I do like to treat myself with a pint in Cronins and a bag of chips for the walk back.

Trad Session in Sin é

If you have a bit of an urge for some proper traditional Irish music. Then pop over to Sin é on Coburg Street. It’s right by Patrick’s hill. A cosy little pub, with great pints and most weekends have a fantastic band or musician playing. It’s my place of choice actually for my Christmas Eve pints with the lads.

Try some O’Flynn’s Sausages

If you’re wandering the streets of Cork City and you feel a bit of a hunger come on. Pop along to now a Cork institution on Winthrop Street and try some O’Flynns Sausages. They do a fantastic variety folks and never fails to hit the spot. With the weather becoming a little chillier. It’s exactly what the doctor ordered to warm you up. You can sit outside to if you fancy and watch the hustle and bustle of the city on the weekend!

Blackrock Observatory

You could easily spend the day at The Blackrock Observatory to be honest. The observatory itself is a must for anyone who has an interest in space or stars. There is a lovely walk right beside the observatory should you fancy stretching your legs. And when you’ve worked up a hunger from your walk. They have one of Cork’s finest restaurants for lunch or dinner. If you’re looking for something to do this weekend. You can’t go wrong here!

Fota Wildlife Park

Last on our list of 6 Things to do in Cork this weekend is a trip to the Fota Wildlife Park. If you have a love of animals, which I most certainly do, then you will love Fota Wildlife Park. You can see cheetahs, monkeys, giraffes, mercats and a whole host of other animals, reptiles and creepy crawlies. It’s only a short drive from the city and is hours of fun. They have a great cafe there too should you fancy a bite to eat also.

So, there you have it folks. 6 Things to do in Cork this weekend. So, will you be heading to any one of these attractions this weekend? Finally, if you have any suggestions, make sure to send them on to info@bigpotatoes.ie!

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A Sweet Treat in Cork City

I think at this stage it’s obvious that I have a certain love for Cork and it’s businesses. And as you’re all very aware I’m partial to the culinary delights of this great city for a work lunch, after work drinks and even a burger. However, one thing I have yet to touch on is where I head for a sweet treat. To go with yet another coffee I’ve purchased. So, here’s where to find a Sweet Treat in Cork City.

Sticky Fingers Cork

I know recently people went complete mental for donuts around Cork, Dublin, Ireland and the world. And that some people are now sick of them. I for one still can’t get enough of them. As I said it is a treat and I love nothing more to enjoy one with a coffee. So, if I’m passing Sticky Fingers on Emmet place I make sure to pop in for one…or two. They have some great hand made donut concoctions and I’ve yet to taste a donut in there I didn’t like. My personal favourite is the Snickers!

I also enjoy eating it outside the Opera House, take a minute or two and watch the people pass by. Before realizing I really should get my ass back to work! Do make sure you pop into the guys!

Cupcake Cottage

Not far from Anglesea Street, actually I may even be on it. Either way you’ll find the delicious Cupcake Cottage. You can’t miss it guys with it being right next to another top food house in Ramen. The team in Cupcake Cottage bake everything in house and they are just soooo good! The Red Velvet is by far my favourite and I’ll let you in on a little secret lads. A box of red velvet cupcakes has the power to get you out of the dog house! So, I say thank you Cupcake Cottage!

Heaven’s Cakes

Last on my list is Heaven’s Cakes in the English Market. Now I know there are tons of incredible traders in there. The butchers, fish mongers and olive hoarders have seen plenty of my business. I do love supporting local when and where I can. It only benefits us all and Cork at the end of the day.

But back to finding a sweet treat. I’ll make a B-Line lads to Heaven’s Cakes which is a traditional french patisserie with a modern twist. If you like the classic deserts then this where you should go. Pick up a few for the team back in the office and all enjoy a good chinwag over a cup of team. Team Building ideas don’t have to be to over complicated.

So there you have it folks. Just a few places to find a Sweet Treat in Cork City as you meander through this great city. Do you have a particular favourite?

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3 Best Burger Places in Cork City

I recently published an article on my 3 top lunch picks for a work lunch in Cork city. As I mentioned in that article I love my food and if I can combine enjoying some of Cork’s best food with a work meeting. I’m rocking! So as I was strolling through the city today coming up to lunch time. My nostrils caught the sent of burgers cooking. It inspired me to gather my 3 Best Burger Places in Cork City!

This article should really have come with a warning not to read on an empty stomach coming up to lunch!

Son of a Bun

Just around the corner from the office here is Son of a Bun. Every lunch time I have the eternal struggle between the ‘Treat yo self‘ side of me and the ‘You brought lunch, it’s healthier and you’re on a diet for a wedding‘ side of me. Any time I go in there I indulge. Simply put, I get a juicy burger off the menu. Usually the S.O.B and make it double. Get fries, mac & cheese and if I’m fragile after the weekend a shake.

After you’ve satisfied your hunger it may be very difficult to have a constructive meeting. But, as Father Stack said in Father Ted. “I had my fun and that’s all that matters”

Bunsen

Located on French Church street in the heart of the city centre is Bunsen. And after you’ve tried one of their burgers it will have a special place in your heart. Trust me on that. It’s the “Simple things in life” they say. Bunsen’s menu is simple but my good god the burgers are divine. They don’t mess about with anything fancy. They just serve up a great burger or cheeseburger, fries and a drink. Also they only have a handful of toppings to choose from.

I suspect the reason for this is to make sure you don’t ruin you’re own burger before eating it. That you truly enjoy the burger for what it is! Once you bite into one. You’ll understand and you will need some sort of miracle to resurrect that work meeting you were planning on having after you ate.

West Cork Burger Company

Now, if you’re not already salivating at the thought of a burger. There is something wrong with you. I’m already planning when I’m off for a burger next. So, its off to Washington Street to the West Cork Burger Company. Anyone who has been, knows just how good a burger it is.

The patties are full of flavour and juicy. The toppings and sauces are next level and the sides are top drawer. There will be a few groans of delight as you bite in. It’s probably at this moment that you’ve completely forgotten you had something work related to discuss after eating. But it’s worth it.

I’m a huge believer that we are spoiled in Cork City with all the fantastic burger places we have. It’s fantastic to see businesses in Cork thriving and if they keep serving up burgers and food like they have. They’ll be thriving for years to come. And I may possibly have to take out a small loan to quiet literally feed my habit!

So guys these are what I think are the 3 Best Burger Places in Cork City! Do you agree? Or should I be adding another few to the list? Let me know on info@bigpotatoes.ie!

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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!

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BigPotatoes Bites – Math Fact!

We’re a little sports mad in BigPotatoes.ie. We can’t help busting out stats on football, rugby or any sport for that matter. We think it could be down to our love of random facts and enjoying work nights out or team building events. So, we thought we’d throw in a numbers fact for a little change and give you this BigPotatoes Bites – Math Fact!

Numbers are used in almost everything we do daily. Driving, talking, money or just stat giving in a row about who the greatest player of all time is.

But did you know this random fact. If you were to multiply 111,111,111 by 111,111,111 that it is equal to 12,345,678,987,654,321!!

We suggest you give this to your team at beginning of your next meeting or team building event and see how quickly it takes them to work it out. No calculators but you can let them know it’s a trick question!

Finally, if you’re looking to organise a work night out. Make sure and drop us a line on info@bigpotatoes.ie now! 

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BigPotatoes Bites – Did you know what a Tittle is?

In this edition on BigPotatoes Bites we delve in to something that the vast majority of use everyday. This is one of those facts that is sure to have people come back to you with ‘I didn’t know that’. So, here we go again with BigPotatoes Bites – Did you know what a Tittle is?

As we’ve said in previous BigPotatoes Bites, a great fact in our opinion starts with those three beautiful words. This also a brilliant ice breaker at the start of a meeting or even team building event.

Did you know what a Tittle is?

The dot over an “i” is called a “Tittle”. It’s something we use, see, say, and write daily and are almost completely oblivious to it.

So, who will you be sharing this random fact with anyone?

Finally, if you’re looking to organise your next work night out. Make sure to drop us a line on info@bigpotatoes.ie!

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BigPotatoes Bites – Broken Clock

We’ve all experienced the midday slump. The weekend seems to be getting further and further away. And, the time seems to be dragging on. We of course recommend you can start planning a work night out which is always going to raise the spirits. But, if you just fancy blowing your co-workers mind then this BigPotatoes Bites – Broken Clock should do the trick.

Seeing as you’re clock watching and literally counting down the seconds until you can go home. Point out to your co-worker or other team member, have they ever realized that a broken clock is right twice a day!

This will also be the moment that your co-worker either has never realized this and goes ‘oh yeah’. Or they might just realize that you’ve finally cracked.

Either way you’ve just passed on another random fact that they may end up using later at a team building event or as an ice breaker at a networking event.

Finally, start planning your work night out or team building event and email info@bigpotatoes.ie! 

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