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Missed out on past issues?
Tackle your big issues with THE CHALLENGE
9th May 2011
The Challenge
is an innovative, effective and exciting way of getting your people on top of the big issues hitting your company.
It involves staging a bespoke series of live simulated television shows focusing on the issues which your team is facing – now and in the future.
“The Challenge” is perfect for away days and two-day strategic retreats.
It acts as the catalyst for dramatically improved levels of communication throughout the organization and fosters greater business success.
THE BENEFITS
Your participants in “The Challenge” come away with:
# A deeper understanding of where your company lies, what are it’s big issues and their vital role in it’s future success.
# An appreciation of what it’s like being in the shoes of others in your business
# A better perspective on your customers, competition, suppliers and service providers
# A sense of what’s required to take your company in the right direction to tackle its big issues
# A stronger feel for what each individual needs to do to best advance the collective effort
# An enhanced sense of teamwork throughout your organization.
THE TV SHOWS
“The Challenge” is a serious but fun – and therefore memorable - exercise, typically run in three parts.
The stars of the TV shows are your people.
They’re questioned and prodded in a series of TV debates modelled on programmes like Sky’s Newsnight and BBC’s Question Time.
THE BIG NEWS HITS YOUR COMPANY
Upon arrival, participants get an initial briefing and are divided into groups.
Some will play themselves.
Others could be managers, staff, customers, prospects, competitors, suppliers or service providers.
Everyone then absorbs the big news – whatever it is that’s about to hit your company or your industry.
This comes in the form of a live radio news bulletin – or a pre-recorded TV news report featuring highly talented role play actors from Centre Stage.
Each group has to react and come up with a plan.
The groups prepare one of their members to be their representative on a simulated live TV show hosted by hard-hitting media guru Michael Dodd.
On the show they’re subjected to robust “blowtorch-on-the-belly” questioning and pitted against the other representatives.
After the show the participants rotated into different groups.
They then absorb further new bulletins which take the story in different directions.
Again each group has to work out what to do – and have their representatives come onto follow-up TV shows to explain and defend their new plans.
THE MESSAGES
When the participants have recovered from the TV shows – usually over a leisurely meal – each group is then given a new task.
They have to design a TV advertisement to succinctly communicate their agreed central message.
Then they work with the TV crew to film it.
The ads are played to everyone.
THE ANALYSIS AND REVIEW
At this point CEO expert Roger Harrop takes charge.
He helps the participants to rake over the experiences they’ve been through.
And he plays back selected moments of the simulated TV shows to highlight key points.
Participants get the rare chance to see themselves as others see them.
Then together with Roger, your team members – no longer in groups – work out what they need to do to deal most effectively with the issues they face.
They draw upon the experiences they’ve just been through – and utilise the new insights they’ve gained by seeing situations through the eyes of others.
THE WAY FORWARD
Plans are drawn up to chart the way ahead – both for your team as a whole and for individuals.
Your people now have a clear vision of how to deal with what lies ahead and ensure that communication, both internally and externally, is succinct and effective.
YOUR PART
If you are to maximize the The Challenge takeaways it must be completely relevant to your organization, your culture and your target outcomes. We insist therefore on a full half day’s face to face briefing from you well ahead of the event so that we can be sure that we hit the right spots for you and your people.
CLIENTS
Past Clients of “The Challenge” include Sainsbury’s, The Electoral Commission, The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the National Health Service, Skanska, Headline Training and the National School of Government.
“The Challenge provides a stimulating and engaging test for participants using time pressures, organisational and group dynamic dilemmas.
It puts people on the spot, there is no hiding in The Challenge and learners need to be able to work in partnership with others and to defend their work area against attack from others. It hones leadership and management skills in a fast track and exciting pragmatic environment." Graham Vale, Programme Director, National School of Government.
“The Challenge” develops leaders. It strengthens teams. It inspires solutions.
Make your next team activity one to remember - where your
top people gain invaluable insights, skills and plans they can draw
upon day after day, week after week, year after year.
For more information contact:
Michael Dodd Michaeldoddmedia@aol.com
Roger Harrop roger@rogerharrop.com
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