Edward E. Scannell - The Big Book of People Skills Games: Quick, Effective Activities for Making Great Impressions, Boosting Problem-Solving Skills and Improving Customer Service

Edward E. Scannell & Colleen A. Rickenbacher

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ISBN: 978-0-07-175945-8

MHID: 0-07-175945-X

The material in this eBook also appears in the print version of this title: ISBN: 978-0-07-174509-3, MHID: 0-07-174509-2.

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Since the advent of the first book in the Games Trainers Play series some 25 years ago, we have been lucky enough to have seen overall sales of this book and its successors (MoreGames, Still More Games, and others) reach over a million copies. For this, we are indebted to the thousands of friends and colleagues who have attended our workshops and seminars with such groups as the National Speakers Association (NSA), Meeting Professionals International (MPI), and the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD). Coupled with our HRD and HRM audiences across the globe, from A to Z, from old Athens to New Zealand, these audiences have helped us field-test most of the activities and exercises contained in this book.

Also, a note of thanks goes to Emily Carleton, our editor at McGraw-Hill who first approached us several months back asking that we consider still another Games book. It was through that request and her subsequent support, enthusiasm, and continuing assistance that this latest book was born.

On a personal note, thanks go to Carol Burnett, another coauthor in this series, for her continuing cheerleading. Finally, a huge debt of gratitude to my son and daughtersMike, Mary, Karen, and Cathiewho have continually given me their love, support, and incredible friendship, which has made their dad a very proud father indeed!

Edward E. Scannell, CMP, CSP

Through the help of friends and associates with ideas for games and chapters, we would truly like to thank Nicole Engelmann and her associates at Capital Consultants Management Corporation for having such a wonderful company with fun and creative ideas. A special thanks to Gus Vonderheide and Carl Mahnke with Hyatt Hotels & Resorts; Sheri Pizitz; Nancy Barry, the Gen Y expert, for all her suggestions; Hattie Hill for her constant support and endless help; and to the team of hardworking and amazingly dedicated ladies at In Any Event Dallas for all of their support.

It goes without saying how much I truly appreciate the tremendous support from my family, including my husband, Steve; our daughters, Andrea and Lauren, and our son, Jon; and my loving and caring siblings, Rick, Tammy, and Judy, and our parents, Evelyn and Fiack, who are watching over us. I even asked my grandkids, Shaeffer and Sutton Ann, what games they were playing in school to hopefully get some generational ideas. So thanks go to both of them.

Writing and research is such an enjoyment and pure pleasure for me, but without all of my friends and family, it loses the fun and purpose. So thanks to all of you for allowing me to constantly ask you questions, bug you for ideas, and capture all your many creative thoughts. And again our sincere thanks to Emily Carleton and Rena Copperman for their help and support and just making it all happen.

Colleen A. Rickenbacher, CMP, CSEP, CPC, CTA

OBJECTIVE

To be used as a filler, a just-for-fun activity, or a way to practice creativity or creative problem solving

Materials

PowerPoint slide or a copy of a Brain Teaser handout (provided throughout the book; see Table of Contents) for each attendee, pens or pencils

Time

5 to 10 minutes

Procedure

Create a PowerPoint slide of a Brain Teaser handout or distribute a copy of a Brain Teaser handout to each person in attendance. Tell them that each frame suggests a well-known slogan, phrase, saying, or name. Their task is to decipher the hidden message in each frame. To help get them started, provide one of the answers so they get the general idea of things.