101 Ways to Improve Customer Service: Training, Tools, Tips, and Techniques

Chapter 85. Candy Land: Group Decision Making

Goal

To facilitate effective decision making within a group. Participants will list candy items in order of the date of their creation.

Time Required

Approximately 40 to 50 minutes

Group Size

Subgroups of five or six persons each

Materials

• One copy of the Candy Land Worksheet and a pencil for each participant

• One copy of the Candy Land Answer Sheet for the facilitator

• Timer or clock

Process

1. Introduce the session by telling the participants that there are thousands of different types of candy that are enjoyed by billions of people around the world. In the United States alone, the average person consumes about twenty-five pounds of candy each year. The participants will be members of companies vying for a position as marketing representative in the candy industry.

2. Form subgroups of five or six persons each.

3. Distribute one copy of the worksheet and a pencil to each participant. Read the directions at the top of the sheet.

4. Set the timer and allow exactly 20 minutes for completion of the task, giving a 2-minute warning before time expires. Call time.

5. Ask the subgroups to enter the appropriate rank numbers in the column marked Actual Ranking as you read aloud the answers found on the answer sheet. You may wish to include some of the background information provided ...