Most progressive companies have long moved away from the management approach where managers make all the decisions and the rest of the employees simply obey instruction. The modern approach is to allow smaller groups of employees to make decisions themselves, to implement new procedures and to take responsibility for their performance. With a team building exercise Baltimore MD companies hope to improve the efficiency of their teams and to motivate their employees to improve their productivity.

It has become fashionable to arrange special excursion for smaller groups of employees that work together. During these excursions the groups is supposed to learn how to work better as a group, they are encouraged to get to know each other on a more personal level and to have fun together. This is normally done over a few days at a venue away from the office environment.

There is no shortage of contractors that advertise their services as expert facilitators for corporate group excursions. The scope of the programs that they offer wildly, with some specializing in a very specific area, such as communications skills. A large variety of others, including activity managers, motivation speakers, psychologists and venues have also realized that companies are willing to spend considerable amounts on the development of their employees.

Companies should be very careful when hiring a facilitator. There are, unfortunately, many operators that are neither qualified nor experienced. Companies should insist on several valid references and they should be investigated. If a previous client says that the group truly enjoyed themselves, for example, then that should not be seen as necessarily positive feedback. The question is whether the group grew as a group and as individuals.

It would be counter productive to ask facilitators to submit quotations before they had the benefit of a detailed briefing. They need to know exactly what the objectives that the client hope to achieve are. They also need information regarding the participants, including information about special needs. The budget need to be made clear. Facilitators will need all this information to prepare a sensible quotation and proposed program.

Ideally, prospective contractors must present a written quotation that stays within the budget limits previously declared. The proposed activities should be listed and the objectives that will be achieved with each one should be specified. The client should be able to either approve or reject certain activities. If other professionals will be hired for lectures or activities, they should be listed and their roles should be justified.

In order to gain maximum benefit from an excursion it is vital to obtained feedback from the participants as soon as possible after the event. The feedback should ideally be both individually and as a group. The feedback should address strong points and shortcomings in the program and facilities and the extent to which the objectives were achieved. The report and individual feedback should be treated in a confidential manner.

If groups of employees are to take responsibility for their efforts, their productivity and their contribution to the vision of the employer, then they need to be empowered to grow as a group. Group development excursions can play a valuable role if it is properly planned. This requires an experienced and qualified facilitator.