by Mary McLoughlin.
May is the perfect month to launch your summer team challenge. Getting people excited before the lazy days of summer arrive is the secret to a strong business all summer long. One of the favorite summer themes revolves around baseball. Everyone on the team works toward a ‘Grand Slam’ summer. Pick a few of these ideas and create your own ‘Grand Slam Summer’!
The goal is to make the theme BIG and FUN so that it carries through the summer. You will want to by holding your monthly meeting at the ballpark. (This lets you demonstrate how to host a tailgate party or sales demo from the back of your van.) Serve Popcorn and Cokes. Have everyone wear his or her favorite baseball caps and jerseys. Get excited and so will your team!
Create a ‘tracker’ for the contest that looks like a baseball diamond. The goal is to make your way around the diamond and end your summer with a ‘Grand Slam Homer’. Set up challenges to get to each base (adapt these to meet the goals of your team):
First Base: Schedule eight parties on the Team Booking Calendar by June 1st
Second Base: Attend three or more meetings or trainings
Third Base: Turn in four parties each month, June, July & August
Home Plate: Recruit one new team member in each month, June, July & August
You will want to find some fun ways to celebrate. Here are a few I’ve used in the past:
- Award Cracker Jacks for monthly recognition
- Have Dime a Dog night during your meeting
- Play and/or sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” on every call and meeting
- Send baseball themed party favors in the mail (from the dollar store)
- Divide your team into Pro Baseball Teams and set up a competition
- Write the team names, goals and achievements on pennants
- Attend your local ball park together
If you create a fun summer business, your team will clamor to join in! Please share your ideas for fun summer Team Challenges in the comments.
