Remote Delivery - Icebreakers 

Time:
The exercise will take about 20 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To explore the importance of trust and how easily it is lost.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 12 participants. It’s not suitable for 1-1 training.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided, though you might like to send small prizes to participants in the ‘winning’ team.

Notes:
This provides an interesting insight into how tribalism, based on fear, is created and the implications of that. This activity works best with groups of up to about 8 participants. If you have a large group of 10 or more, we recommend splitting them into 2 smaller groups for the activity.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
Remote Delivery requires a system that as an absolute minimum provides the following functionality:
• Face-to-face discussion.
• Share screen.
• Chat.
• Share files.

In addition, we strongly recommend using a system that provides for:
• Breakout Rooms (required).

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 15 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 25 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To demonstrate the danger of making assumptions.
• To help participants understand how beliefs shape our beliefs and how these can lead to prejudice or false assumptions.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 12 participants. It’s not suitable for 1-1 training.

Useful For:
Staff and managers at all levels.

You'll Need:
• To pre-prepare a poll/quiz based on the Trainer’s Handout.
• The Activity Link in Trainers’ Library.
• Your Activity Link PIN from the My Account section of the member homepage.

Notes:
If you’d prefer to read the story to participants, we suggest that you rehearse reading it aloud a few times prior to delivery.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
Remote Delivery requires a system that as an absolute minimum provides the following functionality:
• Face-to-face discussion.
• Share screen.
• Chat.
• Share files.

In addition, we strongly recommend using a system that provides for:
• Polls/Quizzes (required).
• Breakout Rooms (see optional additional exercise).

Time:
The exercise in this icebreaker can be completed in about 20 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 20 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to reflect on challenges they’ve faced and identify what they’ve learnt from them.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 12 participants. It’s also suitable for 1-1 training.

Useful For:
Everyone

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This activity was written as a way to reflect on and move forward from the pandemic of 2020. However, it can be easily adapted and used not just to review a year, but, for example, a challenging experience or significant change that participants have been through. This can be a useful way to launch training around resilience, change or a planning session.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
Remote Delivery requires a system that as an absolute minimum provides the following functionality:
• Face-to-face discussion.
• Share screen.
• Chat.
• Share files.

In addition, we strongly recommend using a system that provides for:
• Polls/Quizzes (not required).
• Breakout Rooms (not required).

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 20 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 35 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To define success.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 12 participants. It’s also suitable for 1-1 training.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• Participants will need a sheet of plain paper to hand and ideally, some colour pens or pencils.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
Remote Delivery requires a system that as an absolute minimum provides the following functionality:
• Face-to-face discussion.
• Share screen.
• Chat.
• Share files.

In addition, we strongly recommend using a system that provides for:
• Breakout Rooms (required).

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 10 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 20 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To help participants understand the impact of their behaviours on others and the part they can play in developing and improving difficult relationships at work.

Group Size:
This module can be used with individuals as well as groups of up to 12 participants.

Useful For:
Everyone who interacts with others at work.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
Remote Delivery requires a system that as an absolute minimum provides the following functionality:
• Face-to-face discussion.
• Share screen.
• Chat.
• Share files.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 10 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 20 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To get participants talking and using some of the fundamental skills of information gathering, including effective questioning and active listening.
• To identify the importance of understanding not just actions, but the motivation for actions.
• To begin to identify some key skills anyone looking to build rapport and influence needs.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 12 participants. It’s not suitable for 1-1 training.

Useful For:
Anyone.

Notes:
This icebreaker is useful in any situation where you want to encourage meaningful conversations.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
Remote Delivery requires a system that as an absolute minimum provides the following functionality:
• Face-to-face discussion.
• Share screen.
• Chat.
• Share files.

In addition, we strongly recommend using a system that provides for:
• Polls/Quizzes (not required).
• Breakout Rooms (required).

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 10 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 20 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to focus on positive outcomes.
• To encourage participants to reflect on and become more aware of their inner dialogue and the impact it has.
• To provide a simple tool to help participants reframe their thinking to make it more positive.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 12 participants. It can also be adapted for 1-1 training.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This short activity can be used as an icebreaker or energiser in any training around resilience and positive thinking.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
Remote Delivery requires a system that as an absolute minimum provides the following functionality:
• Face-to-face discussion.
• Share screen.
• Chat.
• Share files.

In addition, we strongly recommend using a system that provides for:
• Breakout Rooms (required).

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 10 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 25 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to consider how to gather information effectively and accurately, through effective questioning.
• To explore the importance of choosing questions that provide an opportunity to build on existing knowledge.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 12 participants. It’s not suitable for 1-1 training.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
We don’t recommend using this activity in groups of more than 12 participants.

This activity has been tested using Zoom and, as it requires use of the annotation tools, it’s recommended that you use that platform to run it. (At the time of writing, it is not compatible with Teams.)

There is a handout that explains how to use the annotation tools in Zoom, if required.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
Remote Delivery requires a system that as an absolute minimum provides the following functionality:
• Face-to-face discussion.
• Share screen.
• Chat.
• Share files.

In addition, we strongly recommend using a system that provides for:
• Breakout Rooms (required).

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 10 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 30 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To demonstrate the importance of body language in communication.
• To identify the positive and negative signals we give off in conversation.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 12 participants. It’s also suitable for 1-1 training.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• A delivery method that allows participants to give non-verbal reactions, as in Zoom. Your participants will need to understand how to do this. (Although we do provide a work around if this isn’t possible.)

Notes:
This module has been written from a UK perspective. Body language can be interpreted very differently in different regions of the world.

There are two ways to run this activity. The first is a lively and engaging competition, with lots of noise that might not be appropriate for all groups. This requires access to our videos and is best for customers whose membership allows them to pre-download the video, rather than stream it. The other is a discussion-based activity, which utilises breakout rooms. Choose the one that is best suited to your group.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
Remote Delivery requires a system that as an absolute minimum provides the following functionality:
• Face-to-face discussion.
• Share screen.
• Chat.
• Share files.

In addition, we strongly recommend using a system that provides for:
• Breakout Rooms (required).

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 20 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 20 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to begin to think about resilience and what it means to them.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 12 participants. It’s not suitable for 1-1 training.

Useful For:
Everyone.

You'll Need:
• To send out instructions in advance of the training session and follow up on these, if necessary, to ensure the pre-training task is completed.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
Remote Delivery requires a system that as an absolute minimum provides the following functionality:
• Face-to-face discussion.
• Share screen.
• Chat.
• Share files.

In addition, we strongly recommend using a system that provides for:
• Polls/Quizzes (not required).
• Breakout Rooms (not required).

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 10 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 30 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to think about how to get buy-in to change.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 12 participants. It’s not suitable for 1-1 training.

Useful For:
Managers and anyone involved in implementing change.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
Remote Delivery requires a system that as an absolute minimum provides the following functionality:
• Face-to-face discussion.
• Share screen.
• Chat.
• Share files.

In addition, we strongly recommend using a system that provides for:
• Breakout Rooms (required).

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 15 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 30 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to identify common experiences and shared values.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 12 participants. It’s not suitable for 1-1 training.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This is a great ‘universal’ icebreaker but perhaps particularly relevant as an introduction to training linked to negotiation and sales, influence, equal opportunities and diversity and, perhaps surprisingly, creativity and innovation.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
Remote Delivery requires a system that as an absolute minimum provides the following functionality:
• Face-to-face discussion.
• Share screen.
• Chat.
• Share files.

In addition, we strongly recommend using a system that provides for:
• Breakout Rooms (required).

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 15 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 30 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To demonstrate the importance of paying attention to detail.
• To demonstrate the value of summary and clarification.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 12 participants. It can also be adapted for 1-1 training.

Useful For:
Staff up to supervisory level.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
Remote Delivery requires a system that as an absolute minimum provides the following functionality:
• Face-to-face discussion.
• Share screen.
• Chat.
• Share files.

In addition, we strongly recommend using a system that provides for:
• Polls/Quizzes (required).
• Breakout Rooms (required).

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 8 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 15 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To help participants understand the importance of understanding what’s important to their customers when trying to influence them or sell to them.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 12 participants. It’s not suitable for 1-1 training.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• A bag or box of chocolates (or sweets), or some other prize, which you’ll need to send the winner. (Alternatively, you can use the PowerPoint ‘virtual’ prize.)
• A timer or stopwatch.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
Remote Delivery requires a system that as an absolute minimum provides the following functionality:
• Face-to-face discussion.
• Share screen.
• Chat.
• Share files.

In addition, we strongly recommend using a system that provides for:
• Polls/Quizzes (not required).
• Breakout Rooms (not required).

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 15 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 30 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To explore why selling is different to ‘telling’.
• To begin to identify some key skills salespeople need and areas for personal development.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 12 participants. It’s not suitable for 1-1 training.

Useful For:
Anyone involved in sales, or who soon will be.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This icebreaker is a useful introduction to sales skills training and can help identify weaknesses in existing sales teams as well as those new to the role.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
Remote Delivery requires a system that as an absolute minimum provides the following functionality:
• Face-to-face discussion.
• Share screen.
• Chat.
• Share files.

In addition, we strongly recommend using a system that provides for:
• Breakout Rooms (required).

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 15 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 30 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To give participants an opportunity to reflect on what they’ve learnt.
• To encourage participants to share the best ideas they are taking from the training they’ve received.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 12 participants. It’s not suitable for 1-1 training.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• To create a poll (optional).
• Small prizes to send to the winning participants (optional).

Notes:
This review activity can be used at the end of any training but is particularly well suited to sales and presentation skills training.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
Remote Delivery requires a system that as an absolute minimum provides the following functionality:
• Face-to-face discussion.
• Share screen.
• Chat.
• Share files.

In addition, we strongly recommend using a system that provides for:
• Polls/Quizzes (optional).
• Breakout Rooms (required if working in pairs).

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 15 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 20 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To introduce participants in a fun way.
• To encourage people to think about how we communicate nonverbally.
• To encourage participants to begin to think about the important role of body language, tone and pitch in communication.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 12 participants. It’s not suitable for 1-1 training.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• To ask participants in advance of the training to share one unusual fact about themselves.

Notes:
Based on the UK gameshow ‘Would I Lie to You?’, this is a fun way to introduce any training, but is particularly appropriate as an introduction around training linked to communication and body language. It can even be used to introduce equality and diversity training as it provides a way to make the point that there is more to people than we see on the surface and for participants to make assumptions about others in the group.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
Remote Delivery requires a system that as an absolute minimum provides the following functionality:
• Face-to-face discussion.
• Share screen.
• Chat.
• Share files.

In addition, we strongly recommend using a system that provides for:
• Polls/Quizzes (optional).
• Breakout Rooms (not required).

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 15 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 30 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To introduce participants in a fun way.
• To encourage people to think about how we communicate nonverbally.
• To encourage participants to begin to think about the important role of body language, tone and pitch in communication.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 12 participants. It’s not suitable for 1-1 training.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• To ensure participants have access to plain paper and marker/thick pens.

Notes:
This exercise is ideally suited for use as an icebreaker for team training and teambuilding events. It can also provide an interesting introduction to any session on body language.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
Remote Delivery requires a system that as an absolute minimum provides the following functionality:
• Face-to-face discussion.
• Share screen.
• Chat.
• Share files.

In addition, we strongly recommend using a system that provides for:
• Polls/Quizzes (not required).
• Breakout Rooms (not required).

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 10 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 25 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• Demonstrate how opportunities are not always as equal as they may seem.
• Demonstrate why equal opportunities legislation exists.
• Demonstrate why reasonable adjustments might be required in order to make opportunities more accessible to all.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 12 participants. It’s not suitable for 1-1 training.

Useful For:
Staff and managers at all levels.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This activity requires a minimum of 5 participants.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
Remote Delivery requires a system that as an absolute minimum provides the following functionality:
• Face-to-face discussion.
• Share screen.
• Chat.
• Share files.

In addition, we strongly recommend using a system that provides for:
• Breakout Rooms (essential).

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 15 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 30 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To encourage people to reflect on the assumptions we make and the labels we attach to people.
• To understand that there is more to people than what we see on the surface.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 12 participants. However, it is not suitable for 1-1 use.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
Remote Delivery requires a system that as an absolute minimum provides the following functionality:
• Face-to-face discussion.
• Share screen.
• Chat.
• Share files.

In addition, we strongly recommend using a system that provides for:
• Polls/Quizzes (optional).
• Breakout Rooms (essential).

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 10 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 25 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To demonstrate what effective feedback looks like and the impact effective and ineffective feedback can have.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 12 participants. It’s not suitable for 1-1 training.

Useful For:
Anyone who needs to give or receive feedback.

You'll Need:
• To ensure participants have access to plain paper and coloured pens/pencils. (Alternatively, you might like to send them a selection of Lego, or some modelling clay in advance of the training.)

Notes:
Although we’ve labelled this an icebreaker, we’d recommend only using it at the very beginning of a workshop if your participants already know each other, and both you and they will feel relaxed.

You’ll need a minimum of 3 participants for this activity, and ideally a minimum of 4.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
Remote Delivery requires a system that as an absolute minimum provides the following functionality:
• Face-to-face discussion.
• Share screen.
• Chat.
• Share files.

In addition, we strongly recommend using a system that provides for:
• Polls/Quizzes (not required).
• Breakout Rooms (not required).

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 10 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 30 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To identify key things required for remote teams to work successfully together.

Group Size:
This module can be used with individuals as well as groups of up to 12 participants.

Useful For:
Those who currently work in Remote Teams. It is also particularly well suited to those that are about to start working remotely. It is best run with complete teams, but you could also run it with those responsible for managing a Remote Team.

Notes:
This is a useful icebreaker/introduction to remote working for those who haven’t worked in remote teams before, or for those who want to strengthen their remote teams.

You might wish to follow this module up with Remote Rules.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
Remote Delivery requires a system that as an absolute minimum provides the following functionality:
• Face-to-face discussion.
• Share screen.
• Chat.
• Share files.

In addition, we strongly recommend using a system that provides for:
• Breakout Rooms.