Team Shapes Business Game

Each person is given one or more cards (depending on the number of participants), and through effective communication, participants identify how their cards can be linked with others to form a pattern.

Sounds easy? In fact, it is challenging, fun and as in real life, there are constraints:

• There is no completed “picture” for them to follow
• They are not allowed to look at each other’s cards
• They have to accurately describe their shapes whilst others listen to see if they have a matching shape
• They have a time limit to plan the task; then, 30 seconds for the entire team to place the cards into the pattern.

It is also essential that the team clearly define the challenge, agree on a strategy and work out a plan to overcome it. However, the limited time is ticking away, adding pressure to the task.

Everyone must get involved, or vital clues will be lost. Someone has to take control, or over-talking occurs, and more vital clues are lost.

Time constraints create an exciting climax to the activity. Will their planning and practice bring success in the final run?

Team Shapes is supplied with everything you need to run the activity, including trainer’s notes and debrief material. The benefits speak for themselves and include:

• A short exercise that brings out communication, problem solving, planning and teamwork skills, that will add benefit in the workplace
• Ensures that teams work together and value the contributions of all team members
• Covers a wide range of learning outcomes, including leadership, continuous improvement and time management
• Encourages participants to give each other feedback
• Simple to facilitate but challenging, enjoyable and meaningful to participants
• Not language specific – participants speak in their own language or use it to help their learning of a new language.

Team Shapes is used to achieve many outcomes. Here are some that we have used it for:

• Illustrating the importance of sharing information to assist in their problem solving
• Improving time management
• Recognising diversity in teams and how different perceptions can cause misunderstanding
• Helping managers to apply strategic planning for their teams to develop into action
• Identifying and using communication skills particularly for remote, distance and hybrid working
• Bringing together different teams to complete a joint project
• Performance improvement by involving team members in the development process
• Discover the dynamics of the group and team culture
• Assessing performance of potential staff at an assessment centre.

• Team Shapes Business Game PDF
• Business Games Brochure
• Course Brochure
• Team Building Brochure

“Really impactful – over fifty of us solved this problem together! Understanding our different views will be valuable returning to our different offices – thanks for the debrief.”

• There are three versions of this game available to purchase:  For up to 20, 30 or 60 delegates.  Specifically, these packs are for 4-20, 10-30, or 20-60 participants
• Multiple games can be played at once to accommodate groups larger than 60.  We recommend at least one trainer per game.
• Additional licences and materials are required to play more than one game at a time.
• There’s no restriction on the number of times you can use our games.
• It is possible to play Team Shapes in other languages if the trainer verbally translates the English instructions.