January 2008 Archives

What do bikes have to do with real business? Why build bikes for children? Why the big surprise? These are some of the common questions that we are asked during the planning phase of our Life Cycles (TM) bike and teambuilding program. The question is easily answered with one word...emotion. People learn when emotion is present. They are more receptive to feedback, open to self examination, and willing to talk openly with co-workers.

Everyone remembers their first bike, so there is an instant connection to the value of the product being built. Due to the intrinsic value of the product, participants can easily assimilate the emotional connection of their everyday job to the value that this new product will bring to their "customer". Like no other product, a bike creates a viable link to the real work that people do. When the children enter the room the product-to-market experience is complete - and the learning is abundant.

After the participants have built, customized and delivered the bikes to the children, the experience becomes less about the bikes and more about the lessons of the process. With their hearts open and endorphins pumping participants reflect on their communication, collaboration and effectiveness with teammates. They are more willing to assess their level of commitment and attention to detail. They develop a deeper appreciation for their team and company and find new connections to the work they do and the customers they serve. This is not smoke and mirrors. It is a real-life experience that transforms a team building program into a profound and lasting encounter. Unlike any other "team building" experience, the Life Cycles program delivers.

Our Life Cycles - bike building program for increased teamwork is a huge hit with all of our clients. During this program participants build a bike. These bikes for kids are presented from the bike builders to the kids in the program. The metaphors of this and the other teambuilding activities involved in the program are rich and relevant to teams and leaders. Here's one...

Tires need air. Everyone knows how to use a bicycle pump right? Simple. You secure the nozzle over the tire valve and inflate. In the past 15-20 years how pumps are secured to valves has done a complete 180-degree change.

It's amazing to see people IGNORE the detailed description and photos of HOW TO USE THE TIRE PUMP. The result is frustration, rework, and often a broken piece of equipment. Not good if you're building bikes for kids. Not good if you're aiming to build your team and be a world-class business.

The lesson for me when I broke my bike tube for a child's bike was to.... next time - Even if I think "I KNOW", is to be humble enough (and not so much in a hurry) to pause and check to see if the 'game' has changed.

As fast as the world and business is changing, can you afford not to pause, confirm what's truly needed and THEN act? So in business, when building a bike...bikes for kids...at least look at the pictures carefully

Build a bike lately? Maybe you have. Christmas and the holidays were just a few weeks back. Kids love bikes. Giving bikes for kids is one of the simpler pleasures in life.

I'm blessed to be involved with our Life Cycles - bike building program where during part of the session bikes are built and then presented to children. The children's faces light up when they realize they get to take home a brand new bike. The faces on the participants light up when they witness the expressions of their recipients.

The Serotonin (the 'feel good' chemical in the body) level of everyone in the session goes up dramatically. Even I, having delivered this program many times, feel a sense of pride, gratitude, and connection by this event.

Science now says that you don't have to do the good deed or receive the good deed to have your Serotonin levels rise. You can simply watch a random act of kindness from a far and be touched. The result being your chin is up a bit more, eyes have a sparkle and your breath is easy.

So pay it forward. Build bikes for kids. Make eye contact and smile in the hallway. Say 'Please or Thank you'. Pass along a compliment. Pick up some litter. Open the door for someone. You will have a different view of the world, your team, and your business.

I've got to admit that I am biased here being one of the co-inventors of Life Cycles - the original build a bike teambuilding event. Being in the experiential learning industry for 15 years prior to the light bulb going on about the idea of combining philanthropy and experiential training, I had the opportunity to witness the power of experiential learning at it's outdoor zenith. Through the use of ropes courses, and in particular, high ropes courses, we were able to provide a dramatic and emotional experience for people using heights and events outside of the normal context of work. These were powerful catalysts for learning and when combined with expert facilitation and curriculum were truly life-changing for participants. Yes, teamwork improved and sales often followed.

The trouble was that it often required burdensome logistics that prevented large-scale groups from attending. It was near impossible to bring the program indoors and out of the question for groups larger than 100.

The original bike building teamwork event, (Life Cycles), became the answer. It didn't take long before we were averaging groups in the 400-700 range with some in excess of 1200 in two to four hour events. Most of these groups have been sales forces looking for new ways to connect their people to each other (teamwork) to their products (pride) and ultimately to their customers (an orientation towards THEIR experience). The quest for this trifecta of connection has been difficult for event planners and senior VP's to find.

With so much good being done in one room at one time it didn't take our biased opinion to point towards Life Cycles (the bike building event) as a top tier solution. It was being sold by word of mouth. Some of the descriptions of program value have been better than we could ever say...even with our bias.

Check out what our clients have said of their experience building bikes for kids and how it impacted their teamwork, customer-orientation and sales. Go to www.odysseyteams.com

Building bikes teambuilding is also called Life Cycles (TM) and is a trademarked process of combining philanthropy and team skill development. Invented and delivered by Odyssey Teams, Inc. this bicycle-building event has become the ubiquitous program in the industry.

Odyssey invented the process of building bikes as a teambuilding experience where children come into the venue to receive them. Odyssey’s first delivery was to Lucent Technologies, October 10, 2000. “We are very proud to have originated the idea of taking a Habitat for Humanity concept and overlaying a training context to it in a two to four-hour, on-premise event.” It is through the eyes of the children, who burst through the doors to receive their brand new bikes that participants are able to see the gaps in their customer awareness and commitment to quality. Over 10,000 bikes have been built for children around the world while companies have enjoyed increased teamwork, quality, and customer relations.

The program has also been described as the bike-building event for children or bikes for tikes, bikes for tykes, build a bike and the teambuilding bike event. All point towards the original Life Cycles event developed by Odyssey Teams, Inc. in October, 2000.

We invite you to learn more about the original at www.odysseyteams.com