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Tools, Tips, Toys & Other Tidbits
800-299-3770
Vol. XXXIII
May 2008
in this issue
TOOL: Man Bites Dog Icebreaker
TIP: Take a break!
TOY: Great communication challenges
Q&A: Survey Results
TOOL OF THE MONTH 
Man Bites Dog Headline Icebreaker
 

Ground-breaking icebreaker makes trainer look fabulous!

 
Distribute word cards to each participant and have them find teammates with whom they can create a winning headline. Ask them to write an article under that headline that introduces each member or articulates their shared goals for the workshop.
 
This Man Bites Dog icebreaker is wonderfully creative and the price is right!
 
Price:  $12.00
TIP OF THE MONTH 

30 second mysteries

 
Stay refreshed with a 30-second break!
 
If you need to present a body of material that takes more than 30 minutes to deliver, break it up.  At a minimum, pause for 2-3 minutes so that participants can organize their notes and gather their thoughts. 
 
Even better, give their brains a complete "breather" with a rapid 30-second mind bender. This two-volume 30-Second Mysteries book set is filled with over 200 wacky whodunits and mini-thrillers that take only 30 seconds to solve. They'll keep learners fresh as they dive deeper into your material.
 
 Price:  $19.00
TOY OF THE MONTH 

Don't Worry Be Funny

Be funny -
even if you can't tell a joke
 

A touch of humor can make your presentations more interesting and help you connect with your audience. Not "funny"? No problem. This clickable PDF "book," Don't Worry, Be Funny, contains links to over 90 websites that automatically generate humorous material that you can customize. Try the Einstein Photo Generator, which lets you customize a photo of Einstein writing on a chalkboard by keying in your own "equation" so it looks like the master himself wrote it. Tell your group, "it's Einstein's other formula."
 
Price: $14.99
SURVEY RESULTS OF THE MONTH 
survey 
Last month's survey question was, "How do you recognize and reward achievement?" (Check all that apply)
 
Your #1 answer was Verbal Recognition. Here's the data:
    • Verbal Recognition: 81%
    • Small Prize: 45%
    • Certificate: 42%
    • Candy:  41%

You also had some very creative write-in responses:

  • Jeans Pass - Get to wear jeans for a day!
  • Share the news (i.e. in a newsletter or posting)
  • Stickers on their name tent
  • Applause
  • Written note
  • Time off Pass
FEATURE
Choose meeting icebreakers wisely!

Lyndsay Swinton
by Lyndsay Swinton, Founder mftrou.com
(Management for the Rest of Us)
 

"Well chosen icebreakers bond teams and ease people through the discomfort of getting to know others better. However, a badly chosen icebreaker can cause more discomfort than it cures."

In her article, Swinton offers some tips on how to choose appropriate icebreaker games.  She says the things to consider include:
 
1. Size of the group
2. Purpose of the gathering
3. Purpose of the icebreaker
4. Preparation required
5. Materials required
6. Time available


Click here to read more

 
The creator of mftrou.com (Management For The Rest Of Us), Lyndsay Swinton is an experienced people manager and team leader. Lyndsay graduated with a first class honours engineering degree from Strathclyde University in Glasgow, Scotland, Having worked with two blue-chip companies and numerous others, Lyndsay has gained wide practical experience of people management and motivation, and strategic performance measurement. And, she's a Six Sigma Black Belt, so watch out!
Quick Links
 
 
 
 
More On Us
 
 
Can't find what you want?
Ask Mike!

"Lecture them . . . or Engage Them, the choice is yours," says John Dillon, inventor of My Quiz Show software. 
 
It's easy to take almost any lecture and convert it into a game.  With easy to use game builder software like My Quiz Show™ and My Billionaire Game™, you can easily add questions and trivia to achieve your teaching objectives.  The game summary area allows you to add teaching points following each question giving you an opportunity to review the question in more detail.
 
 
Learn more . . .
If you have any questions or concerns about an order, a product, or anything else, I'm always happy to help!  Feel free to call me at 800-299-3770 or send an email!
 
Sincerely,
 
Sue Landay
President
Trainer's Warehouse
 
 
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