Team Building Programs In Mumbai – Crafting a Cohesive Team

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Team Building Programs In Mumbai – Crafting  a Cohesive Team

Mumbai – The Maximum City

Just the way the name suggests, Mumbai has the most among all the cities in India; be it Business Opportunities, Culture, Education, Population, Bollywood, Resilience. The list goes on and on. From simplicity of the common man to the ‘Glam & Glitter’ of the Crème de la Crème, the city is full of surprises.

The vibrance of the City Of Dreams invites both Opportunities and as well as adversities.

People from different parts of the country come here with high expectations and aspirations. Each person brings with them unique backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives, contributing to Mumbai’s diversity. While acclimating to the fast pace, ever demanding  corporate life, high living cost and long travel hours, they may find it strenuous and gruelling and cause burnout.

A Team Building Program goes a long way in addressing these challenges. It helps the participants understand one another better and inculcate tolerance and mutual respect for one another.

Many Organisations are including Team Building Programs as a part of their Employee Development Initiative.

 Some even like to couple these Programs with Employee Outings and call them “Corporate Retreats”, where the employees have dedicated days for fun, learning and recognition.

 

So how do these Team Building Programs help?

Team-building programs bridge gaps, nurture creativity, and build a supportive culture.

 Breaks Monotony: Its natural to get bored when the routine sets. Boredom directly affects the morale and performance of the employees. A Team Building Program is the best way to break the monotony. What better way is it to learn when they enjoy at the same time!

 

Strengthens Employee Bonds – The activities in the Team Building Program are such that employees spend those few hours in each other’s company and know about them much more than the months or years that they may have put in together. They are now more empathetic towards each other at work. They have the spirit of lifting one another up while growing instead of pushing each other down.

 

Fun-gagement – Everyone likes to have fun, and if the workplace offers that, its like an icing on the cake. It lifts their spirits and employees feel appreciated. A happy team is a loyal and successful team.

 

Hidden Talent Finder – While engaging in the team building activities hidden talents are revealed which will help organisations to understand and allocate crucial tasks effectively. At times the employees themselves go through a self-revelation that helps them to work with a newfound zeal.

 

Develops Critical Skills – Most of the activities of a Team Building Program focus on leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills that benefit both individuals and teams.

 

Align With Organisation’s Goals – These programs are like a full package that align personal and organizational goals, ensuring everyone is moving in the same direction and at the same pace.

 

Builds Resilience – The team is challenged to face difficulties with confidence and collaboration thus strengthening their ability to overcome adversity together.

 

Afterall, a great team is built through shared experiences, trust, and collaboration. With a mix of peppy fun and smart strategies, team-building programs can be the foundation of your organization’s success.

 

To know more about how The Yellow Spot can help you on your Leadership journey, Visit ‘https://www.theyellowspot.com’ for more info or reach out at info@theyellowspot.com / India: +91 99677 14310, +91 87792 84314

 

#leadership skills # Team Building # Mentorship # Effective Communication # corporate training # best corporate training companies

 

First-Time Managers: The Smooth Transition into Leadership

 First-Time Managers: The Smooth Transition into Leadership

Most of us have already seen ourselves 10 years ahead of our time when we lay the stepping stone of our career. Not everyone steps into the manager’s shoes from their first job. Most of us must begin from below to rise to the top. I experienced this firsthand when I was promoted to Manager.

My First Role Change

The transition from individual contributor to a leader is a paradigm shift. The change, as much as it seems joyous, can be equally overwhelming.

Luckily for me, I was still the senior-most—not by age but by experience—in my organization. I had already carried out some of the tasks a leader must take on, proactively. All the team members were always looking up to me to come up with initiatives and the way forward.

All I had not done was being responsible for others, being their actual boss.

From Peer to Boss: My peers who were alongside me were suddenly being led by me. I knew that would not go down so well with the team. Needless to say, some were older than me, and some had more years of experience outside of the organization.

These were the same people I had shared jokes with and had casual coffee breaks. I realized that establishing my authority without all the awkwardness and without compromising our friendship would need conscious effort.

Sharing the Workload to Delegation: Here I was, standing at the crossroad where I had to now decide how to delegate the workload. We as a team had shared the workload as per our specialties, mutually. The impending question here was the way forward. Am I to still gather the team and mutually discuss, or am I to take the helm and distribute the tasks?

Saying it Aloud: The final challenge was communication. How was I to correct mistakes, give feedback, and receive feedback? How was I to address underperformance?

That’s when I was nominated to the First-Time Managers Training Program in Mumbai by my organization. We had a training and development culture, which was a breather.

The training focused on developing the leader in me.

Key Takeaways from the Program

Improved Team Collaboration: It gave me a deep understanding of my capabilities and those of my team. Communication with the team was smooth. I learned that building trust with my team was the foundation of our success. I came up with small chit-chat sessions over coffee once a week where we shared new ideas and addressed concerns.

Skilful Conversation: The training taught me to respond and not react. It’s all about how we speak. How we deal with our peers and subordinates—do we comfort them or make them feel insecure? My worst fear of mediating a disagreement between two team members was gone. I no longer jump to conclusions before hearing both sides. Staying neutral, listening carefully, and guiding the conversation toward a solution brings about a win-win.

Keeping Your Team Motivated: A happy team is a successful team. It’s not about just motivating our team; it’s about us too. The team is the reflection of its leader. A strong guiding force automatically cascades down to the team to create a powerhouse of talent. When I learn to stick to my priorities and keep calm during tough deadlines, my team follows suit.

Time Management and Delegation: I realized that my time and tasks were influenced by what my team did. As a leader, I need to bifurcate what to do myself and what can be done by the team. I also realized that delegation can be made a positive experience for the delegator as well as the receiver. Once I did that, I had time on my hand to strategize and innovate.

Bridging the Gap Between My Team and My Management: Whether it was giving constructive feedback or delivering updates to senior leadership, clear communication became one of my most valuable tools. My team saw me as a pillar of support, and my bosses saw me as a go-getter.

 

Lessons Learned: How to Smoothen the Transition

1. Set Clear Expectations Early: The first thing I did was to sit with my manager to align myself with their expectations of me. This paved the way for my new journey.
2. Find a Mentor or Coach: I was fortunate to have a mentor who guided me through tricky situations, from handling tough conversations to strategizing for team goals.
3. Celebrate Small Wins: I realized that every small milestone called for a celebration. We started celebrating progress. It lifted the spirits of the team and motivated them to work harder. Success is a journey, not the destination.
4. Ask for Feedback: I made it a point to ask my team for feedback on how I could improve as a manager. Not only did this help me grow, but it also built trust within the team.
5. Invest in Training: The leadership workshop for first-time managers helped me build the foundation for my journey. I look forward to attending more workshops that will help me grow as a leader. I also nominate my team members for programs that help enhance their skills.

 

In a Nutshell

It’s not as hard as it looks. Enjoy every moment of the journey. The journey has just begun and will take you places. Take every challenge as a stepping stone to rise higher.

Becoming a first-time manager is as much about personal growth as it is about leading others. With the right mindset, support, and training, the transition can be a rewarding experience that sets the tone for your leadership journey. For me, the key was to embrace the learning process, lean on others for support, and always keep my team’s interest and success at the forefront.

A true leader is genuine at heart and courageous in actions. They may not know all the answers, but they surely have the will to learn, adapt, and grow with the team.

 

To know more about how The Yellow Spot can help you on your Leadership journey, Visit ‘https://www.theyellowspot.com’ for more info or reach out at info@theyellowspot.com / India: +91 99677 14310, +91 87792 84314

 

#leadership skills # First Time Managers Training # Mentorship # Effective Communication # corporate training # best corporate training companies

Tips for Personality Development for Newbies: A Personal Approach - The Yellow Spot - Top corporate training company

As human beings, we all possess unique personality that defines us and makes us who we are. However, our personality is not a fixed entity and can be developed and enhanced with the right mindset and effort. In today's competitive world, having an attractive and impactful personality is not only a personal need but a great professional need for organizational development. It is an essential skill that can help you succeed in your personal and professional life.

If you are a newbie and looking to develop your personality, here are some tips that can help you:

Believe in Yourself: The first and foremost step towards personality development is to believe in yourself. Believe that you have the potential to achieve your goals and develop an attractive personality. A positive attitude and confidence in oneself can do wonders for one's personality.

Be Self-Aware: It is essential to know yourself to develop your personality. Be aware of your strengths, weaknesses, likes, and dislikes. It will help you identify the areas where you need to improve and work on them.

Practice Good Communication Skills: Good communication skills are essential for a great personality. Practice speaking clearly, confidently, and effectively. Listen actively, be empathetic, and respect others' opinions. It will help you build strong relationships with people.

Develop Social Skills: Develop social skills such as networking, making new friends, and maintaining existing relationships. It will help you improve your social life and build a strong support system.

Cultivate Positive Habits: Cultivate positive habits such as reading, exercising, meditating, and practising gratitude. These habits will help you develop a positive attitude and a healthy lifestyle.

Dress to Impress: Dressing well can make a huge difference in one's personality. Wear clothes that fit well, are comfortable, and make you feel confident. Dress appropriately for different occasions.

Stay Updated: Stay updated with the latest trends and knowledge in your field of work. Attend seminars, conferences, and workshops to learn new skills and gain knowledge. It will help you develop your expertise and stay relevant.

Take Personality Development Training: Personality development training can help you transform your personality altogether. It can provide you with guidance, tips, and tools to develop an attractive and influential personality.

Learn from Role Models: Learn from successful people and their personalities. Observe their behaviour, attitude, and communication skills. Try to emulate their positive qualities and incorporate them into your personality.

Be Patient and Consistent: Developing a great personality takes time, patience, and consistent effort. Don't expect instant results, but keep working on yourself regularly. Make it a habit, and soon it will become a part of your personality.

In conclusion, personality development is an ongoing process that requires patience, dedication, and consistent efforts. By following these tips and developing a personal approach, you can develop an attractive and impactful personality that can help you succeed in your personal and professional life. Remember, your personality is not just about your physical appearance, but also about the way you interact and behave with others. So, be confident, believe in yourself, and work on developing a great personality!



Blog by: https://theyellowspot.com

Images used in the blog are downloaded from Freepik
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Making Positive Affirmations work for you

Have you ever tried using positive affirmations before? Did they work for you? Or did you give it a shot and finally conclude that they don’t work!

I know some people who swear by them and have seen some wonderful results using them. I unfortunately, belonged to the other set! I did them ever so obediently for 3 years and then came to the conclusion that they don’t work. And was therefore not ready to buy the explanation that many people give. They say you must not have done them enough number of times!

My colleague on the other hand, has had great success with them. Which intrigued my interest a few years back. I wanted to know why they work for some and not for others. And you know what, I found a number of reasons which I am going to share with you today! Ready…

Why Positive Affirmations Don’t Work

It’s actually got a lot to do with your Personality. I realised there was a stark difference in my and my colleague’s personality. He was a happy go lucky kind of guy and somehow his mind would believe what he told it. I, on the other hand, had a mind which loved to refute every positive affirmation I gave it. And instead of helping me, it actually aggravated the already raging war inside me!

Previously I had to manage a mind which kept repeating like a tape-recorder how I was ‘not good enough.’ But now I also had it tell me how I was even worse as I was trying to believe a silly statement like ‘I am fine the way I am’ which I knew was untrue. Also, I was a failure as I was unable to make use of positive affirmations when the rest of the world was doing it so well. Along with, I was wasting my time for continuing the positive affirmations that don’t work. All of which was too much to handle!

How to make Positive Affirmations work for you

I have been experimenting on how to create change in our lives since some time now and make it a point to share what I have learned in the soft skills training programs that I deliver. I have tried a number of different techniques on myself and have had some inferences:

1.      Positive Affirmations can work. How? By first dealing with the voice in your head that refutes them. This can be done by a number of tools that help you get aware of and accept your beliefs. My favourite techniques are Mindfulness and the Emotional Freedom Technique. I use them all the time. And I’ve seen that they work like a charm especially for emotional people like me!

2.   Instead of only using Positive Affirmations also use Affirmations. Confused? Let me explain. Positive Affirmations are, well, positive. They are positive sentences which are supposed to include only positive words. And this you affirm by repeating a number of times. I have realised that if you affirm a statement in the format ‘Its ok to feel (sad/angry, etc.)’or ‘Its ok to be (anxious, disappointed, etc.)’ it helps create acceptance. This helps process and settle the negative emotions that fuel the voice in our head that opposes the positive affirmations. It’s about clearing the negative to make way for the positive.

3.    Now use positive affirmations. Now once the awareness and acceptance bits are done, you can safely use positive affirmations. This is important as it means you now have the right energy to move into them. Its like removing the brakes that was retarding your forward motion. Which also accelerates the motion the positive affirmations can now create. And you’ll find that you move ahead with motivation and minimal effort towards your desired goal.

What Is Virtual Training?

Virtual training or online corporate training refers to training programs conducted on a virtual platform. Here, not just the trainer, but the participants are in separate locations too. And interact with each other virtually. It is a simulation of traditional classroom training and currently its best substitute too!

We all know that traditional classroom trainings are the most effective. They are more effective than e-learning due to the ‘human touch’ that they offer.  It is easier to learn directly from a live trainer who you can interact with, ask questions and share experiences. These are unfortunately not possible when it comes to learning from a computer programme! But then what do we do when we are unable to attend classroom trainings? How do we keep the development going?

That’s where virtual training programs comes in. It provides an experience similar to that of classroom training. Only, virtually. And the only major difference is that you are physically not in the same room as your trainer and fellow participants. But can still converse with them, virtually.

Do you know the benefits of virtual training or online corporate training? Let me tell you!

1.       Convenience

Virtual trainings are super convenient. Neither the trainer nor the participants have to be physically together for it. Therefore, each person can log in for the training from their respective remote locations. Which saves everyone the trouble of travelling to the venue and time too.

2.       Minimum Arrangements

Classroom trainings need various arrangements - venue, food, stationary, projector, etc. Virtual training, on the other hand; just requires a quite space in your house, a laptop, an internet connection and a notepad and pen. Most of which I’m sure many of us already have!  

3.       Assimilation Ease

Unlike classroom trainings, virtual training programs are of a short duration and are spread over a longer span.  This makes them easier to process and reflect on. And the larger number of trainer touchpoints helps in clearing more doubts thereby easing implementation and improving overall retention.

4.       Schedule Flexibility

Because virtual modules are of shorter durations, participants can schedule their working hours accordingly. They can spend some part of their day on development and catch up on productivity during the remaining hours.

5.       Catering to Different Learner Types

A virtual training provides better opportunities for quieter participants to interact. How? Due to its chat feature where they can directly message the trainer or a particular participant. This way they can ask queries or share experiences without having to open up in front of the entire   class. A great way to capture their voice and encourage them to slowly open up before others.

So, this is what virtual training is all about. And why so many organisations have started conducting virtual training sessions in their organisations. So, what are you waiting for?

How To Make Sales Training Process More Effective

Sales training programs are conducted in pretty much every organisation.  After all, sales is a prime function. And if you are unable to sell your product or service, there’s not much any other function will ever get to do!

This makes getting your sales skills training programs right extremely important. And that’s what I’m going to give you some valuable tips on today.

·      Practice, practice, practice – Your sales training program should give your sales executive plenty of opportunities to practice. This could be anything from mock cold calls to greeting etiquette demonstrations to how to close the sale. For its only when they get their hands dirty will they realise what they are good at and where they need to put in more effort.

·      Teach them something new – Although this is a standard for all training sessions, its especially important for a sales skills training program. Why? Because of the personality type that most sales executives belong to. They love learning new things and implementing them on the field. So, give them something fresh to play with. A new sales skill, concept or information. And see how kicked they are about giving it a try! 

·   Tell them stories – We all love hearing success stories. It raises our spirit and gives us the horsepower to go that extra mile. They are therefore a great way to make your sales training programs more effective. Especially when sales are the function where sales executive have to face the maximum amount of rejection! Which also brings me to my next point…

·    Teach them how to manage their emotions – Now this is one of those things that every sales training program requires but most tend to miss out! Teach your team how to be confident, strong and resilient. And I’m not just talking about the confidence you get by looking or speaking better. You have to develop true inner confidence that comes by working on your thoughts and emotions.

·     Follow up – Last but not the least, build in a solid follow up to the sales skills training. Conduct mystery audits and see how each individual is faring. Provide them on the job coaching where needed. Be there to answer their queries. Help them constantly upgrade the sales process they are following. Ask them to make a list of the typical objections they face and how they will tackle them. In short, be sure to invest time and effort with a good corporate training company to bring your sales team up the curve. Trust me, it’s worth it!

Tips For Successful Online Learning

Online or Virtual training is the need of the hour. Many of us are working from home and are unable to even reach our offices. And because of this; classroom training, and with it, learning, in general, has taken a back seat. But how long can we really afford this?

Many Corporates have therefore started taking learning seriously, even in times like these. They realise its importance and recognise the fact that it cannot be given less priority. Conducting corporate training online, is therefore their new ‘go to thing’.

Now I know virtual training does not provide the same experience as a classroom training program. But opt for virtual instructor led training. And you’ll soon realise how it’s the next best thing! Definitely a step above e-learning. You can actually interact with the trainer and other participants, perform activities, do assignments, reflect together, etc., just like a classroom session, only virtually. And you get the advantages of virtual training; like no travel and saving on facility, travel and even trainer facilitation costs!

To make such virtual learning experiences simpler and more successful for participants, I’m going to share a few valuable tips. Here goes…

• Choose a spot to sit which has proper lighting, a decent background and no disturbance
• Login to the session 10 minutes prior to the start time
• Turn of all kinds of notifications to avoid disturbance
• Check if your device is well charged to avoid system shut down
• Ensure the internet connection is good
• Check if the camera and microphone are working fine
• Mute yourself when you are not talking
• Avoid moving around during the training session
• Participate actively by asking questions based on the slots provided for the same
• Contribute to group discussions, activities, etc.
• Make notes as and when required
• Connect with the facilitator post training for clearing doubts, if any
• Complete pre-work, assignments and any other homework given 
• Work on actions plan created during training sessions
• And most importantly, hold yourself accountable for your learning 

These are some of the tips that are coming to my mind when learning virtually. What’s your experience? Any I missed out on? Feel free to share in the comments section after this article. Let’s make the most of our virtual trainings and learnings!

3 Steps To Efficient Negotiation Skills

Negotiation skills training is beneficial only for sales professionals. Do you agree with that? I hope not!

Negotiation skills are essential for each and every one of us as we need to negotiate with various people in our professional and personal lives. In fact, you’ll realise we do it even more with our parents, spouse, children, vegetable vendor, etc. Right? Ever asked your parents for a Goa trip and received ‘no’ for an answer? Hahaha! Now you get what I mean!

On a serious note, we all need to be good at negotiation. And if these skills come to you naturally, great! But if they don’t? Then that’s what negotiation skills training programs are for.

In this article, we are going to discuss the 3 steps that are essential in any negotiation situation.

Step 1: Preparation

It’s important that for a negotiation to happen successfully, one needs to be fully prepared. You must have all the required information with regards to your own position, why it’s important to you and how far you are ready to budge on it.  The opposing party’s interests and limitations are also important for you to know. Also, think about what can be done if the negotiation is not successful for some reason. Prepare multiple alternatives solutions also for the same, so that you can increase the chances of a successful negotiation.

Step 2: Development

In this step, both the parties exchange information, ideas and their point of views. Make it a point to listen carefully to what the other person is saying. Ask clarifying questions to ensure that you’re both on the same page. This the phase where disagreements take place and conflicts may erupt. Stay assertive and avoid getting aggressive or falling into a passive stance. The objective here is to come up with a solution that is beneficial to both the parties. One also needs to be very patient during this phase as it can go on for quite some time and can lead to some pretty difficult discussions coming forth. Don’t try to rush this phase. Let things emerge.

Step 3: Close

This is the decision-making phase of the process. In this phase, there are two possibilities. Either there will be an agreement, or the negotiation will not come through. One needs to ensure that all the issues are dealt with clearly between both the parties and there are no discrepancies. In a professional set up, it is recommended to document the discussion. This process can be concluded by determining and finalizing the further plan of action.

I have explained these steps very briefly. For being able to actually negotiate effectively, one needs to learn the process in detail and practice it too. A negotiation skills training program is therefore highly recommended for all those that face such situations often. It gives some great insights into your negotiation style and how you can improve the same along with giving you practice. And that’s when you can truly become a master of negotiation, even if it’s not a skill that comes naturally to you!

The Team Building Skill Will Lead You To The Summit Of Success

A lot of importance is given to corporate team building training. Organisations might miss out on various other skills, but they never forget to conduct a team building training session at least once a year for their teams.

So, is the team building skill really that important? And how much does it really contribute to our overall growth and career?

In my experience, the team building skill can take you places. I am not kidding when I say you can easily find a leader but finding a good team player is difficult! Everyone wants to be a great leader but there are hardly any people who say they want to be great followers. And we know leaders are nothing if they don’t have loyal followers.

Being a great team player is nothing less than being a great leader. And frankly, there are very few people who can work effectively in teams and perform their best. By their best, I mean, giving their 100% and supporting other team members to give their 100% too. And that’s what makes up an ideal team.

Corporate team building trainings helps in various areas. Not just professionally but personally too. In fact, I would say a team building training is a complete ‘development package’ for every participant.  And not just helps you excel in your workplace but in your personal life and generally in society too.

The cherry on the cake is that corporate team building training are the most fun training of them all. And provides a great combination, one of learning and lots of fun. So, while they give you a chance to learn more about where you are as a team and where you can reach and how, they also provide a chance to bond with one another. A bong that gives the team a solid foundation and makes the team stick together through thick and thin!

So, what’s your take on this? What has your experience been of corporate team building training?

5 Components Of A Successful Sales Training Program

I was creating a virtual sales training program yesterday. We already have an amazing 4-day classroom sales workshop in place. Therefore, I was picking up bits and pieces from it, and seeing what I can use successfully in the online session.

While doing my pick and chose activity, I did come across one or two activities in the classroom sales training program which I realised could not be delivered in the online format. However, contrary to my earlier apprehension, most of it could!

And this brings me to my topic today. The components of a successful sales training program delivered in the classroom or online. So here goes…

1.       Practice – Practice is one of those things that a sales training program or any skill related or behavioural program for that matter, can’t do without! It has to be an essential part of the session and should come post teaching a new skill or behaviour. This, however, can tend to get a little difficult when it comes to a virtual session as the participants are not physically next to one another. Nonetheless, its worth putting in the effort to figure out how best you can do this based on the options available on your online platform.

2.       Awareness – Every sales professional has their own strengths and areas of development. And no matter what level they reach, its important that they know about them. It is therefore essential that every sales training program or sales management training gives the sales executive or manager insights into these.

3.       Market Standards – Now this is one area that I have always seen participants being inquisitive about. And they make it a point to ask the facilitator in every sales training program what their competitors are doing or in general what practices are being followed by others in sales. And if you ask me, its amazing what insights they pick up and start applying from the same. Which also brings me to my next point…

4.       Newness – For executives who are attending their first sales training program, they are definitely going to learn something new. But for a Sales Manager who has attended many programs before, its important that the Sales Management training teaches them something new. For example, you can teach them how to manage their sales team rather than just managing the sales pipeline.  This will surely be a value add for them.

5.       Holistic – A corporate sales training program must cover all the aspects of sales. Right from grooming to attitude to etiquette to managing numbers. After all, all of these together create a great sale and should therefore not be left to chance!