Author: People Development

Learning

Best and Worst Team Meetings


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Objectives

To help teams clarify team meeting norms.

Time

45 minutes.

Materials Required

  • Two flip charts.
  • Marker pens.

Instructions

  1. The activity leader asks the team to call out examples of best and worst examples of behaviours in team meetings. For each item suggested, ask individual team members to give examples.
  2. Write the bad behaviours on one flip chart and the good behaviours on another.
  3. Then, working together, ask the team to suggest actions that the team can take to avoid the worst and strengthen the best examples. Write these up and keep them available for future reference.

Debrief

  1. Based upon the two lists, what specific actions should the team follow through on their next team meeting?
  2. Prepare a team checklist of ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ based on the discussion.

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Learning

Blank Team


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Objectives

  1. To provide your team with a structured opportunity for self-assessment.
  2. To understand more about how team members perceive the team.

Time

45 minutes.

Materials Required

  • A copy of the “Blank Team” handout.
  • A flip chart with the “Blank Team” copied out and pens.

Instructions

  1. Distribute the handout to individual team members.
  2. After 10 minutes ask for volunteers to read aloud their completed Blank Team handouts.
  3. On a flipchart the activity leader should write the words that each individual member uses (i.e. at the end there will be several words in each blank space).

Debrief

  1. Was there much commonality in the perceptions of team members or were there lots of differences in opinion (as seen in the words used by the team members)
  2. Was this useful to the team?
  3. What does this tell us about our team?
  4. What are our team’s strengths?
  5. What do we need to improve?

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Learning, Peer Shared

#Abzolutely


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What it is

To promote Aberdeen city as a region and place to live, work and visit, the Chamber of Commerce have worked with Inspire Aberdeen to produce this narrative and toolkit. It is full of beautiful contemporary photos of Aberdeen, showing it as a modern transforming city.

www.abzolutely.com is an open source online toolkit to help you do this. The site is presented in three sections.

The home page is accessed by clicking on the Abzolutely logo (top left) and will give you a flavour of the type of information available.

The Narrative section (click through top right) contains the full story broken down into four chapters: Global city, Great place, Investing in our future and Renaissance region with supporting facts. The text can be easily copied and pasted.

And the Toolkit tab is where the main action is containing videos, photography, case studies, artwork, logos, presentation slides and more. To get your hands on the full suite of resources, all we ask is that you provide your name, organisation and email address. The registration form can be found on the toolkit tab. Once your account is created you will have full access to the current materials and we plan to update it regularly to reflect all that’s going on in the region.

Please share it as widely as possible among your networks- we want this to go viral.

Why I found it useful

This toolkit is intended as a resource that can be used by anyone who wants to promote and celebrate the city region. If you’re passionate about the area and want some facts and examples to talk it up, these resources are for you.

Hello world. This is Aberdeen. Aberdeen has a new story to tell. Over the next couple of years Aberdeen and the wider area around it are celebrating a series of events, investments and new openings that show how broad, modern and vibrant our great city region is. Together, we want to take a new and positive look at the area, its future and how people and organisations from all walks of life and all sectors are working as never before to make sure the great city region that we love gets even better and stronger. The narrative section of the hub has the story we want to tell across four chapters with some standout statistics and facts. The toolkit section contains images, videos and documents you can use to spread the word.

Who might find this useful?

People who work in graphics, design, engagement. 

How long does it take?

Quick and easy to navigate

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Danielle McKinlay

Marketing and Communications

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Learning, Peer Shared

Post-it app for smart devices


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What it is

Stop spending hours transcribing notes after a brainstorm; download the free Post-it® App. Now you can instantly capture and save your work so you can share notes with the with the team without recaps or delays.

Why I found it useful

I used to spend ages typing up post-its after facilitating a session. Or scanning in post-its. This app means you can take one photo of a flip-chart of post-its, the app turns it into a powerpoint presentation and every single post-it is an individual JPEG that you can move around independently. 

Who might find this useful?

Anyone who has ever faced dealing with hundreds of post-its after a meeting or workshop! 

How long does it take?

You can download the Post it app in a couple of minutes then start using to cut down the time it takes to type up notes. 

https://www.post-it.com/3M/en_US/post-it/ideas/app/

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Sandie Scott

People & Organisation Adviser

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Featured, Learning

Concise Aberdeen Local Outcome Improvement Plan


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What it is

An aspirational report which reaffirms Aberdeen City Council’s commitment to its citizens is now available in a summarised format to encourage people of all ages to find out more.

Why I found it useful

In a concise, easy-read format – it identifies how Community Planning Aberdeen – a multi-agency partnership – will work together to ensure Aberdeen is a place where all people can prosper, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Who might find this useful?

Anyone with an interest in helping to make Aberdeen a place for all to prosper

How long does it take?

5 minute read

6 pages

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Community Planning Aberdeen

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Featured, Learning

Workforce Plan


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What it is

The Workforce Plan is Aberdeen City Council’s strategy for developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours of our workforce so that we are all working within and around the Guiding Principles.  

Why I found it useful

It shows the vision and direction of workforce development to deliver the Target Operating Model. 

Who might find this useful?

Leaders, managers and anyone with an interest in the development of people

How long does it take?

30 minute read.

20 pages long. 

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People & Organisation

People & Organisation is the new name for HR & Organisational Development. 

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Featured, Learning

Aberdeen City Council: our purpose


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OUR SHARED PURPOSE IS TO ENSURE THE PEOPLE AND PLACE OF ABERDEEN PROSPER

Aberdeen City Council's purpose

Together with our Community Planning Partners – our promise is to make things better for the people and place of Aberdeen.  

Whether you are a catering assistant, an accountant, a housing officer or a senior leader, we are all working towards the same purpose.  

Understanding our shared purpose connects us to the bigger picture – and to each other – and frees us to be more innovative and creative in the way we work. 

Your Function's purpose

As part of the re-design of Aberdeen City Council, six Functions have replaced the previous Directorate structure. The purpose of this ‘functional’ structure is to reduce silo-working and shape our services around our customers. 

How clear are you and your team on WHY your Function has been created? What is the purpose of your Function?  If you’re not clear visit the Interim Structure pages to find out more.

Your Cluster's purpose

Within each Function there are Clusters of services.  Clusters co-locate people who deliver similar outcomes so that they can more efficiently and effectively  collaborate.  In the same way as a cluster of bars, restaurants and shops adds a buzz to a city, grouping people together in this way improves productivity and adds value.  You’ll find more information on the purpose of your cluster on the Interim Structure page.  

So why does your team exist?

For ideas on how to get the Team Purpose conversations started, take a look at the Team Toolkit homepage.

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Learning, Peer Shared

Start with Why


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What it is

You’d probably find it quite easy would to describe what your team does.  But if you were asked the question ‘why you do what you do’ …  would it be as easy?

Yet why is by far the most important question

5-minute video by motivational speaker and organisational consultant, Simon Sinek, explains more. 

Why I found it useful

Really helps you understand why some teams – and organisations – succeed whilst others fail. Reinforces the importance of having a really clear purpose and rationale for the work that you do. 

Who might find this useful?

Managers or leaders who are needing to create clarity, direction and joined-upness for their teams. 

Find it here

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Elaine Buchan

People & Organisation Adviser

Blurb to go here

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Learning, Peer Shared

Google re:Work


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What it is

re:Work is a collection of practices, research, and ideas from Google and others to help you put people first.

Why I found it useful

Gave me ideas so that I could run some sessions with my team

Who might find this useful?

Anyone who wants a better experience at work! 

rework.withgoogle.com

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Elaine Buchan

People & Organisation Adviser

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Featured, Learning

The Transformation Zone


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ABERDEEN IS TRANSFORMING – BE PART OF THE JOURNEY

The Transformation Zone is an internal website for Aberdeen City Council employees that provides regular updates on the transformation programme at Aberdeen City Council. Find out everything you need to know about the Target Operating Model, the structure and different departments of Aberdeen City Council, the Organisational Capabilities and the projects that form part of the transformation programme. You can also find out how to be involved and have your say. 

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