Is it just me, or is this year flying by? 2005 ramped up quickly and shows no signs of slowing down, thanks in large part to your continued support and referrals.

The promotional video I mentioned last month is nearing completion. I am excited about it and will put an abbreviated version on the web site as soon as it's ready. The long version will be available on tape or DVD from me.

This month, I'd like to make you aware of another event resource for your files. Tonight's Entertainment, Inc. is a full service event planning and consulting firm based in Atlanta. From site selection to catering and entertainment, Frank and Lori O'Brien are experienced and capable of coordinating your entire event -- and they do it for an amazingly reasonable fee. Lori herself is a talented vocalist for a variety of events. They frequently book me for their clients' events and I appreciate both their professionalism and their friendship. I recommend them to you unreservedly.

Lastly, for those of you in or near Charleston, South Carolina -- I'll be performing an evening show at Kiawah Island Golf Resort on March 22. Hope to see you there!

I was recently invited to speak on the topic of teambuilding to what is likely the fastest growing chapter of the American Business Women's Association in the United States. In the course of my research and planning for that presentation, I encountered a number of online resources that may be of use to you. Before I share that list, however, I thought I'd give you the main points from that talk; perhaps they will help you as you plan your own meetings and teambuilding activities.

First, the fact is that the whole subject of "teambuilding" has earned a pretty spotty reputation. While many organizations use it effectively and do create efficient, productive teams, most of us have probably experienced those teambuilding activities which seem to have no apparent value other than making us feel silly for playing some touchy-feely game that never ties back to the real work on the desk we will eventually have to go back to. There is a place for the fun, but for teambuilding to be effective, it has to go beyond a kickoff activity and a craft project!

When planning activities, check to see whether the activities are contributing to one or more of these, the Four C's of Teambuilding:

Commitment - Not just commitment among team members, but also evidenced by commitment from the organization itself. Are resources being allocated based on team effort and needs, or on individual needs? Does the team need to better communicate its work to the organization? Perhaps that needs to be a focal point of a teambuilding activity.

Competence - People should be put on teams based on skills, not titles. Are teambuilding activities or processes designed to improve job competencies in some way, or to help the team have a shared experience in learning a new skill? The process of learning new skills can "level the playing field" among team members with varying degrees of job experience and uncover aptitudes or leadership qualities that may not have been evident.

Common Goal - If the team doesn't have a defined, measurable, shared objective, it's not a team but just a group. Club, workgroup, clique, cubicle farm... but not a team. And the goal must not simply be the organization's mission statement or the aggregate of the team members' individual responsibilities.

Camaraderie - Yes, teams can improve in productivity by improving interpersonal relationships and by strengthening friendships and trust. But if this component is overplayed, teambuilding activities will be perceived as unnecessary fluff by a lot of people.

By balancing your teambuilding activities to emphasize each of the four C's, you can help to ensure a more effective approach that is likely to meet with less resistance from those jaded by quarterly outings and happy hours with little relevance to the tasks at hand.

As promised, here are some links for icebreakers and teambuilding ideas that you may find useful:

Creative Icebreakers, Introductions and Hellos - A great downloadable resource (in PDF format) of icebreakers and meeting activities from Kate Zabriskie (a fellow Andersen Consulting/Accenture alum!)

Tonight's Entertainment, Inc - Remember these folks? They offer a variety of teambuilding activities and events here in the metro-Atlanta area, but are available throughout the Southeast.

Tek Tips - This link gives you a peek at a discussion among technical workers who describe their experiences with teambuilding activities. Along the way, they share some ideas for teambuilding and running meetings which could be useful for you in your organization.

Teambuilding at About.com - The Management page of About.com offers a couple of articles on team building along with links to other resources.

Email me directly for a short list of books on the subjects of teams, teamwork, and team dynamics. These books can be ordered through the major online booksellers.

I told you earlier this year about my upcoming weeklong engagement at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, California. Well, for those of you on the east coast -- I have good news. I will be appearing for a week in the Houdini Close-Up Theatre at the Tropicana in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

I'll be presenting formal close-up magic shows four times each night from August 15 through August 21. Unlike the Magic Castle, these shows will be open to the general public. Tickets will be available through Houdini's at the Tropicana.

I look forward to seeing some of you there!

Marcia Simon is the corporate events and meeting planner for Jordan Jones & Goulding, a well-respected consulting engineering firm based in Norcross, Georgia. She is also a repeat client whose personality I love because she combines real professionalism with an authentic personal touch.

I first encountered Marcia when she engaged me to perform for a project banquet, and in the planning for that she also put me in touch with some other organizations that needed entertainment. As a result, I also performed fundraising stage shows for her son's high school theatre group in 2004 and 2005. Perhaps her most helpful encouragement to me thusfar has been her suggestion that I begin networking in Meeting Professionals International, which has been a wonderful source of new business and new opportunities.

Marcia is the kind of meeting planner that entertainers adore -- organized, creative, warm, and focused on our common goal: a successful event for the organization. That's why she is in the client spotlight this month!

• March 3-5: attending WCM
• March 5: private party; Travelers Rest, SC
• March 9: Landmark Church, Atlanta
• March 18: Speaking engagement, Agnes Scott College
• March 22: Kiawah Island Resort
• March 30: Cox Communications
• April 27-30: FFFF, Batavia, NY
• May 9-15: Magic Castle, Hollywood, CA
• June 26: Ocean City, New Jersey
• June 28-July 3: IBM Convention, Reno, NV
• July 23-August 7: Hawaii
• August 15-21: Houdini's, Tropicana - Atlantic City, NJ

email: jmt@joemturner.com

phone: 404 644 6791

web: http://www.joemturner.com