50 Training Activities for Administrative, Secretarial, and Support Staff

Activity 3 11

Activity 3

Treasure Trail

Description

This activity is designed for individuals to undertake personal research on a variety

of aspects of their new organization. It involves the completion of a questionnaire/

quiz sheet over a one- to two-week period. Feedback can be given on an individual

basis or during a group meeting or training session.

Target Group

Newly hired support staff

Objectives

• To build autonomy in the individual’s working role

• To develop an individual’s ability to become self-sufficient in the search for

assistance, information, and resources throughout their organization

Number of Participants

Any number—individuals to large groups

Materials

Worksheets 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3

Time

• 10 to 15 minutes to introduce the questionnaire and give clues about sources of

information

• 1 to 2 weeks for research

• 30 to 60 minutes for feedback

Preparation

1. Choose the topic for your questionnaire, either general in subject matter or topic

specific. For example:

• Company history

• Products and services

• Departmental structure

• Competitors

• Who’s who in the company

• New developments

12 50 Training Activities for Administrative, Secretarial, and Support Staff

Activity 3 (concluded)

• Who does what in the company

• Working conditions

• Health and safety

• Customer service mission statement

2. Decide the objective for your questionnaire. For example:

• To meet a variety of people in different departments

• To find out about health and safety procedures

• To familiarize new employees with work flow

3. Prepare your questionnaire to meet your specific objectives. Use one of the

worksheets (3-1, 3-2, or 3-3) or create your own.

4. Make copies of the questionnaire for each participant.

5. Prepare model answers to the questionnaires.

Important Note for the Trainer

Whenever you run this type of activity in an organization, as a matter of courtesy,

you must inform those people who are likely to be approached by new members of

staff and ask for their cooperation and assistance.

Method

1. Give each participant a copy of your chosen questionnaire.

2. Explain the purpose of the activity:

• To help participants orient themselves around the building/site by requiring

them to make personal visits

• To help participants build a personal network of contacts by requiring them

to introduce themselves to others and discuss their work

• To help participants become self-sufficient in their search for information/

resources within the organization

3. Set a time limit for the participants’ research.

4. Give feedback in a variety of ways:

• Run group sessions so that an exchange of information can take place.

• Hold one-on-one meetings so that you can give individualized feedback.

• Allow the participants to check their findings against model answers that

you have prepared in advance.

5. Deal appropriately with any gaps in their knowledge.

Reproduced from 50 Training Activities for Administrative, Secretarial

and Support Staff by Elizabeth Sansom and Christine Newton, HRD Press

Worksheet 3-1

(1 of 2)

Orientation Questionnaire

1. Who is the chairperson of the company? __________________________________

2. Who is the managing director? __________________________________________

3. What is/are the company’s:

• Vision? _________________________________________________________

• Mission? ________________________________________________________

• Objectives? ______________________________________________________

4. List the departments in the division/company, the department head, and each

department’s main functions:

Department Name Department Head Main Functions

Worksheet 3-1

(2 of 2)

Reproduced from 50 Training Activities for Administrative, Secretarial

and Support Staff by Elizabeth Sansom and Christine Newton, HRD Press

Worksheet 3-1 (concluded)

5. Who is your immediate line manager? ____________________________________

6. What are your main responsibilities? _____________________________________

7. Name the other members of your immediate team (your new colleagues) and list

their main responsibilities.

Colleague Main Responsibilities

8. Make a list of questions that you would like to ask about the company or your new

job.

Reproduced from 50 Training Activities for Administrative, Secretarial

and Support Staff by Elizabeth Sansom and Christine Newton, HRD Press

Worksheet 3-2

(1 of 2)

Health and Safety Questionnaire

1. What are the company’s responsibilities for health and safety at work?

2. What are each employee’s responsibilities for health and safety at work?

3. What are the possible consequences of the company and employees not taking

these responsibilities seriously?

4. Who is your Health and Safety Manager? _________________________________

5. What is meant by the term hazard in the workplace?

6. What should you do if you see a hazard in the workplace?