Worldspan Group

Top 10 tips for running Successful Employee Workshops

1. Create  an appealing environment - a light, airy comfortable venue and appropriate table & chair layout
2. Offer the opportunity for groups to mingle before, during and after to assist in natural ice-breaking
3. Offer refreshments throughout to ensure the mind and body is ‘on the job’ and concentration levels are high
4. Provide plenty of breaks to cater for natural attention spans and allow time to absorb and reflect
5. Use a range of stimulating media to structure the learning process
6. Create workshop materials with a laser-like focus on the objective you are trying to achieve
7. Train the presenters and facilitators beforehand and ensure their skills, techniques and knowledge are up to speed to maximise the workshop
8. Capture the output and use that intelligence in future communications strategies - close the loop and don’t let the feedback get lost
9. Keep to time and keep the agenda moving
10. Provide plenty of opportunity to feedback during and after - verbally and/or in writing

Formulas for Business Success through Motivation

P = A x M

Performance equals Ability multiplied by Motivation*

Attract and recruit the Ability in the form of best in class employees, then Motivate to maximise their performance.

R = eM x iM

Retention of your best employees requires the combination of extrinsic Motivation i.e. money, awards, recognition for completing work well at the request of the organisation, as well as appealing to the intrinsic Motivation of the individual i.e. purpose, meaning and shared values. The challenge lies in businesses finding a way to turn these intrinsic ‘keys’ through their vision and mission statements and the development of organisational values that resonate with their employees as well as their external customers.

*(Imparato & Harari)

Alcatel-Lucent – Green Initiative

Henry and I have recently completed the Alcatel-Lucent GreenTouch event at Altitude London, which is on the 29^th floor of Millbank Tower in London.

The set went up on Sunday (the day before the event) and the crew arrived to test the satellite connection for the live webcast, all looked great, apart from the view.  You’d expect stunning views from the 29^th floor, but unfortunately, a thick fog settled over London and all you could see were a few lights on the Millennium Wheel.

On Monday, the event day, the sky was clear allowing stunning views over Westminster.  What a busy day!  The number of journalists increased from 120 to 180 in the last few hours before the event.  Badges were made, USB sticks loaded and press releases printed - all in the final hours and minutes before the press launch.

The guests arrived, had time for a quick coffee and some 1-2-1 interviews before the live webcast began.  A new initiative aiming to reduce energy consumption in worldwide ICT networks by a factor of 1000.  Over 400 logged in and saw the live webcast, whilst almost 150 were finally present for the launch.  For more information on GreenTouch visit www.greentouch.org/