Northgate activities and business simulations are designed to be user-friendly, easy to run and all come complete with full Trainer’s Notes. Here are three easy steps on how to run a typical Northgate activity:
1. Brief the group
In all Northgate activities participants are first divided into teams. The Trainer then introduces the session – sometimes with a PowerPoint presentation. Teams are issued with a Brief summarising the particular task and telling teams their role and who they represent.
2. Observe the action
Once teams begin to work on the task Trainers can observe them and note behaviours, attitudes, how objectives are set, whether a leader emerges, how teams handle conflict, decision-making etc. All good ammunition for the Debrief!
3. Discuss the learning
The Debrief is an opportunity to listen to teams' experiences on the task, bring out the learning points and consolidate plans for improvement back at work. The Trainer's Notes that accompany each pack explain how to handle the debrief process and often the activities contain handouts that structure the Team Review or list the Key Points that should be drawn out and emphasised. The experience of the activity must be related to what happens in the workplace to ensure real improvement.