What ice breakers have you experienced on a conference call, webinar, teleclass, or teleseminar?
I'm looking for things that worked well and didn't work well. Any specifics about what made it a success or a failure would be great. Thanks!
Clarification added June 27, 2008:
Thank you for the comments - please keep the answers coming. I'm headed to Italy until July 9th and will respond when possible. I still want to hear what DOES NOT work - this is a huge source of learning for professionals.
Answers (12)
I found that the best ice breaker is a creative one. Think about it: everyone sort of rolls their eyes when you say those two words; however, everyone gets nervous at times when meeting new people and some just don't have social skills in that area. My favorite to incorporate within a new group of individuals is the "tell me something unique" one. This is one that gets our minds rolling, all the while encouraging creativity and an ability to remember more than just a name. For example, I've tried every toothpaste on the market. People laugh and chuckle but they certainly remember me with a smile!
I dislike the typical "where are you from" sort of questions. Use creative ones like, "What is your favorite outdoor activity?" or "What is one quality about yourself that you love?" If you use questions like this, I guarantee you people will build better connections which will ultimately lead to a happier work environment!
Mary C
Exceptional Workplace Performance Improvement Professional
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This one is suppose to work as a quick fast paced warm up. Instruction can be sent out ahead with an agenda or spring it on people spur of the moment. The object is to come up with a fairly recognizable favorite line from a movie. If that seems too difficult you can add commercial jingle and quote from a famous person well know to the public also to the mix. The other participants are challenged to guess the correct answer and tell their favorite one line from a movie and keep this going very fast paced if possible. This typically brings great energy to the session and can be tabled if there happens to be quite a few people on the call until the next meeting. If regular meeting attendance or tardiness was a problem in the past implementing something similar to this in the first five minutes of a call can really send a message that only those in prompt attendance are part of what is going on. The latecomers get the message that they really won't be a part of it unless they get with the program and arrive on time. Oh yes, have people come with a couple one liners in case one bombs and no one "get's it" they'll have another to throw out as a backup. I'm sure there could be many creative variations to this idea.
Tom F
Editorial Director at BankInfoSecurity.com
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I like to remind participants that we're going to do this session as a musical.
That always seems to take down a few barriers & loosen up the crowd.
best,
Tom
Gopu P
HR and Infrastructure Professional
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Byron,
In sessions where I have handled, I generally used to go by introducing myself and then prompting others to introduce them. To get the things going on further, I step in and "carry the attention'' of someone to others. Sometimes personal discussions are initiated so that people feel closer.
regards..
Clarification added June 25, 2008:
What I meant by saying "carry the attention" was basically prompting someone to tell others about what he or she had to say about something or what one has to add to what someone else said. This helps people who are reticent to start mingling also to come forward and then others will catch on to that.
Val O
Owner of executive marketing / career search boutique company; Senior Career Advisor @ MGA.
A simple thing I do with a small virtual group is ask everyone to describe where they are physically & how they're feeling about participating on the call, on a scale of 1 to 10. This helps place everyone in "vitual space" & gets emotional engagement in the process. This wouldn't work with a larger group. With them, I pose an interesting question about the topic & ask for one word responses that allows everyone to weigh in at once. Nothing clever or complicated.
I see I'm not the only one who's using Infinite for their phone conferences - I was also recommended the favorite movie-quote icebreaker. I suddenly don't feel as unique. ;)
I believe as long as you go into your call with an open mind and a great attitude it will rub off on participants. But it helps to have a card up your sleeve sometimes. All very good suggestions.
Links:
If they have payed for a particular class, I like to open by asking people what they are most interested learning or doing during the course. This works well so that everyone gets to hear others curiosities. I also note their answers and bring them back to their goal during the course so that there is a quality marker for them to make by the end. Did you get your original answer or meet the goal you had when you enrolled?
This is a nice quality marker for the instructor as well, the instructor is constantly centering on each persons individual goal throughout the course.
What I don't like...end of course surveys that ask questions about mid-course issues. When it is over it is too late..ask in the middle of the course and make sure the person is happy and satisfied during the course.
Gina C
Currently Seeking Employment!
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For conference calls, we would have the leader of the call choose a unique ice breaker question and everyone would take turns answering and explaining their answers. Nothing too crazy, but it worked for me.
For meetings, we did one where each person had to say his/her name, hometown, job title, and fun fact. The next person had to repeat that person's stats and then say their own. This would continue until everyone had a chance to speak/repeat. Granted, it takes a LONG time to complete, but it was fun and helped us get to know each other better.
Links:
Jennifer B
Associate Editor at Slackerwood
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I can only think of one instance of a remote meeting where there was an icebreaker; what is your favorite vegetable and why was the question. I originally thought it was silly, but it was effective.
It stood out because even though there wasn't a lot of interaction (webinar for new employee orientation, I did get a chance to hear a name, and enough talk that I could match most voices with a name. I can't count how many conference calls I've been on where I had no idea who was talking.
Your question made me realize how important it is to remember not everyone knows your voice, and to speak up to let others know you don't know their voices, either.
Kevin H
Educational Technology at Concordia University
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If the participants are North Americans, introductions and statements of involvement/purpose of being at the meeting in the seem to be generally acceptable, though a bit tedious.
Participants can be asked to describe what music they've recently enjoyed, a food, or a place they've traveled to..any sort of personal information that is not going to ruffle any feathers, and enough options so they can be politically correct and as open or closed as they wish while still participating.
Some other cultural groups do not need icebreakers during these events because they will have spend off-hours socializing, and learning all the information I listed. They will have already established a level of relationship and a level of trust that goes much deeper than the North American style. Icebreakers for this group are often tolerated because they know the American way of doing business. It's interesting but a bit of a disconnect because these games don't really indicate as much as spending time with people and getting to know them, their passions, their families, their sport teams, etc. You also don't want to jump directly into business right away with this audience as it's like starting an engine without the motor oil.
So take account of who is attending and how well they know each other offsite and make the game appropriate.
Terri L M
Planning and Strategies Consultant; speaker, trainer, author.
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Hmmmm...interesting concept. I can't say that I've ever encountered any kind of 'ice breaking' exercises in these types of events...definitely in 'live' events, but never those held via phone or Internet connection. Ususally, the programs or meetings are timed, so they just get down to the presentation, maybe have a little time for Q&A.
tm
Rosemary H suggests this expert on this topic:
Chris will open a teleconference with just one question: How can I help you today? It takes a minute or two, but the group always gets started and then the interaction follows very naturally.
Also, our PP Group member Jan has a great technique she uses. Since it's a distinction competency of her coaching, I would suggest you get in touch with her directly. I will also give you info on it shortly.
Clarification added June 29, 2008:
Oops! I meant to say "distinctive competency" about Jan's technique!
