COLORED Buzz Rings Back in Stock!

The Spokesperson

e-newsletter by Michelle Cummings

June 14, 2023 | Wheel of a Deal Wednesday

Quote: "Unity is strength... when there is teamwork

and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved."

~ Mattie Stepanek

~ Colored Buzz Rings! ~

I feel like this announcement needs a significant, LOUD drum roll.....

I'm excited to announce we have COLORED Buzz Rings back in stock! These have been out of stock for 8 long years... and we are more than ready to catch the Buzz again!

There are several ways to use Buzz Rings. My favorite way is to use it early on in the sequence of your program. To begin this activity, identify what the "buzz" words are that may come up in the program. For example, your group may come up with the words: communication, respect, positive language, trust, and teamwork. Explain to the group that it takes a lot of effort to keep Communication, Respect, Positive Language, Trust, and Teamwork working together synchronously. Like most group work, it takes time and practice to master a new skill. Explain to the group that you are going to start the buzz ring and give them a task that is quite difficult to accomplish. Explain that you are not certain if they will be able to successfully complete the activity but would like to see how they do. Then start up your buzz ring.

The object is to pass the buzz ring around the circle without stopping any of the rings from buzzing. As previously stated, this is a difficult task and the majority of groups will not be successful on their first attempt. While the group is passing the ring around, you can talk about the buzz words and what they will encounter throughout your program.

If someone in the group makes the rings stop process it immediately. This person is feeling some embarrassment, disappointment, stress and may feel that they have let the group down. First, encourage them to get the rings going again. If they are unsuccessful ask the group the following questions: "Has anyone ever done this before? Is it acceptable to the group that we do not have to be perfect the first time we attempt new tasks? How many people hoped that someone else would be the first to stop the rings before it was their turn?"

At this point, you can have the group set goals based on the number of mistakes they want to allow in one pass of the ring. Then help the group get the rings going again. Verbal encouragement from the facilitator helps in the group's success. Encouraging statements like, "It's a simple hand overhand motion. Communicate with the person next to you when you are ready to release the buzz ring into their possession." Encourage the group to celebrate after the ring makes it all the way around the group.

I often get several emails and calls about 'how to start the Buzz Ring', so I put together a quick tutorial video. There's a simple way to get the rings buzzing without hurting your hand by smacking at the rings. I call it the 'zippo lighter' start method. Watch this quick video to check it out!

Click here to read a Blog Post on Debriefing Topics and Questions, as well as several other ways to use the Buzz Ring!

And one more CRAZY, more advanced thing you can do with the colored buzz rings, is that the brass rings fit THROUGH the colored rings. So if you have a group that has mastered the brass rings, then see if they can pass the brass buzz ring THROUGH the colored buzz rings while they are still buzzing. Mind blowing! I'll try to get some video of this up next week.

Here's a great video of a group passing the Buzz Ring around the circle:

Open House Next Week!!

We would love to invite you to our official Open House at the new warehouse. Join us for food, drink, and fun with rubber chickens. Please let me know if you can attend!

When: Wednesday, June 21st

Time: 4:00 - 7:00 pm

Where: Training Wheels & Personify Leadership

8020 Shaffer Pkwy, Unit 400

Littleton, CO 80127

Upcoming Workshops:

Experiential Facilitation101:

July 11-13 ~ Open Enrollment

July 11-14 ~ Certification in EF101

Personify Leadership:

September 12-13 ~ Open Enrollment

September 12-15 ~ Certification in Personify Leadership

Season 4 Podcast: New Episode

Episode 77: Team Building with your own Staff

Have Fun Out There,

Michelle Cummings

Founder / Facilitator / Big Wheel

Training Wheels

www.Training-Wheels.com

Co-Founder, CEO & Chief Creative Officer

Personify Leadership

www.PersonifyLeadership.com

Author of The Reel Sisters

Training Wheels Resources

Experiential Facilitation 101

Course

Upcoming Dates:

July 11-13 in Littleton, CO

Open Enrollment

Certification to Deliver this Course

Online Course

READY AND ACTIVE!

This subscription-based Online Game Database houses over 500 experiential teambuilding games, each designed to equip facilitators with the right game for the right group. Individual and group rates available. Sign up today!

Upcoming Personify Leadership Course

My next Personify Leadership class is September 12-13 for the Open Enrollment, and September 12-15 for the Train the Trainer. Click here to learn more or to register.

Wheel of a Deal: On Sale This Week...

Colored Buzz Ring

Regular: $28.99

On Sale: $20.99

Big Sale! We just got in a new shipment of these so we're passing the savings onto you!

Brass Buzz Ring

Regular: $24.99

On Sale: $19.99

Catch the Buzz! This physics phenomenon will have your participants talking about the ‘Buzz Words’ of teamwork in a unique way.

Sectional Hula Hoops

Regular: $39.99

On Sale: $29.99

NEW! We have a new design of segmented Hula Hoops. they are very sturdy, and have a new snap attachment.

18 segments, enough for 3 Hoops in each set.

Where in the World is Michelle?

Have Bag, Will Travel!

Michelle is usually in 3-4 different locations each month. She often leads Open Enrollment workshops so you can find a training near you to attend! Or you could piggyback onto one of her existing trips and have her come and facilitate a training for your group. View our full Event Calendar.

June 2023 locations:

June 1-3, Anchorage, AK
June 1-2, Personify Leadership, Riverside, CA
June 6-7 ~ Personify Leadership Course, Open Enrollment dates. Denver, CO
June 6-9 ~ Personify Leadership, Train-the-Trainer Certification dates. Denver, CO
June 11-14 ~ SHRM Conference, Las Vegas
June 26-29 ~ Residence Life Conference

July 2023 locations:

July 11-13, Experiential Facilitation 101 Course, Littleton, CO
July 23-26, Writer's Retreat for Michelle. Eugene, OR
July 28, Client Training, Castle Rock, CO

TRAINING WHEELS | www.Training-Wheels.com