HR Training for Field Staff: What Engaging Games Would You Recommend?

Dear All,

I am planning to conduct HR residential training for all field staff, so kindly suggest some meaningful games.

Thanks,
Surabhi

I am planning to give training to field staff in the following topics: employee entitlements (such as leaves, laptop loans, vehicle loans, etc.) and Disciplinary. So, I want the session to be engaging and interesting.

Thanks,
Surabhi

Effective Workshop Strategies Over Games

The topics you have mentioned lend themselves more to small group workshops rather than silly games. I do not understand this obsession with "games." Many people do not like them, and they will maintain a passive attitude and not participate.

You will achieve far more by dividing the cohort into small groups of 4 or 5 and giving them various scenarios to discuss and work out solutions to. Then the groups come back together to discuss their approaches to the problem.

With each different workshop, you change the groups so that everyone gets an opportunity to work with different people. Too often, there is a tendency for friends to stick together. This helps to foster collegiality between the staff.

Not only are they learning how to deal with the various aspects of the business that they need to know, but they also learn to work cooperatively in groups, develop problem-solving skills, and enhance their confidence in speaking and putting forward ideas. That's a win-win for everyone.

I agree with your views. Not only should we conduct training sessions, but we should also organize fun games to minimize work stress in the project environment.

I agree with Mr. John on the views on "games." Often, games do not help in creating the required environment for training. Either they dilute the focus on training or turn into a time-pass activity.

Factors to Consider

It depends on:

1. The age and cadre of the participants.
2. The time constraints with senior positions. This is one of the reasons for micro-learning classes with small content phased evenly for higher impacts in learning.

Exceptions to the Rule

However, there are exceptions too. At times, icebreaker games work well in situations where trainees are from different geographies and are pooled together at the corporate level—true to India with its diverse culture and languages, especially for marketing/sales teams or integrated factories.

Also, some activities like puzzles, narrations of stories or experiences, or games can bring a sense of togetherness to the participants, especially during induction programs conducted for graduates who have joined as trainees or apprentices fresh from college.

Regards, Nalina R.

OD Consultant

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