2 min Energizer for long meeting

[Spathodus77]

Hi,

I'm hoping for some creative ideas...

Next week I'm attending a meeting of about 80 people. The meeting will start with lunch and then some blurb about objectives, priorities, financials etc. Once this is out the way I'm on to introduce a team building exercise.
Lunch = sitting down
Blurb = sitting down approx 1hr, eyes starting to close
Team building exercise start = lack of energy and enthusiasm, and yes, it does involve sitting down

I'm thinking that just before I introduce the exercise that I'll have maybe 2 to 3 mins to introduce a bit of enthusiasm and shake things up a bit. At present my ideas stretch as far as; getting people to stand up, finding some space, warning them not to engage in any activity that could aggrevatiate any medical conditions and then getting them moving.

Its the getting people moving bit that I need ideas on. My own thoughts are; a few stretches (dull) or a game of [insert company name here] says (e.g. like simon says)

Any ideas out there? The ideal exercise will see people moving about but also have an important learning from a business perspective. The time limit really is 2 / 3 mins but if anyone knows of anything simple it would really help.

Thanks,

Ralph

[Cyberprog]

Musical Chairs? Loser is fired?

[Munter]

Dodge ball....

[schmalex]

Learn to juggle in 5 minutes?

Every other person get up and move 2 spaces to the right?

Simple maths / logic puzzle (one = 3, two = 3, three = ? Etc)?

Pile of straws. Teams of 3. Whichever team builds the highest tower in 3 minutes wins a prize?

Edited by schmalex on Friday 12th September 19:06

[Taita]

Wouldn't bother telling them not to aggravate existing conditions etc. They're adults!

[Kudos]

You are one of those people I hate and hence why I won't work for large corporates

[bigandclever]

British Bulldog. Winner gets to choose someone to be sacked on the spot.

[iphonedyou]

Just accept it's going to be dull. They're adults, and it's work, so they're expecting it to be dull. Would just anger me if somebody had me playing games after lunch!

[Helicopter123]

Ask everyone to pull a coin out of their pocket and describe something that happened to them in the year the coin is dated.

[RicharDC5]

Russian roulette

[truck71]

You don't need to do anything. Stretch the 2-3 mins to 5 mins and give them a break, they'll chat, check mobiles, take a comfort break etc. When you reconvene you have their full attention and can start the next session, the key is this session needs to be something they'll enjoy and look forward to after the dull hour.

[vx220]

Everyone moves chairs one or two places is a good one (and splits up those comfort-groups)

A very quick one would be to let off a couple of very loud airhorns at the back of the room, followed by much apologising...

...instant adrenaline boost!

[FunkyNige]

truck71 said:

You don't need to do anything. Stretch the 2-3 mins to 5 mins and give them a break, they'll chat, check mobiles, take a comfort break etc. When you reconvene you have their full attention and can start the next session, the key is this session needs to be something they'll enjoy and look forward to after the dull hour.

This is what we do, our main meeting room has a 'lounge area' (think a couple of smart sofas next to the coffee machine), with any long meetings everyone goes over there for a few minutes, normally standing around chatting about non-work stuff.

[Dr Jekyll]

iphonedyou said:

Just accept it's going to be dull. They're adults, and it's work, so they're expecting it to be dull. Would just anger me if somebody had me playing games after lunch!

+1

[anonymous-user]

[anonymous-user]

[badgerade]

Relocate the meeting to the pub. Eat lunch while talking about the objectives etc, then have a few drinks which will get the team working together better than any 'team building' game.

[DoubleSix]

Dr Jekyll said:

iphonedyou said:

Just accept it's going to be dull. They're adults, and it's work, so they're expecting it to be dull. Would just anger me if somebody had me playing games after lunch!

+1

Totally fking lame.

'Energizers' what the hell are you talking about?? I attended a four day conference recently and not once did anyone suggest we dance about!!

Honestly, I deplore this sort of patronising crap and as someone else said wouldnt work for a company that adopted these 'techniques'.

Just focus on making your content relevant and as interesting as possible and let the adults worry about their own energy levels.

It's the speakers personality that should keep people engaged at these things.

[truck71]

Yep, the purpose needs to be clear, and the content relevant/ concise and presented engagingly. Everyone attending needs to be part of the event and not simply "talked at".

[Galsia]

"Were all tired, lets have a quick break. We'll continue in ten minutes."

Done.