At a recent OS for a client who brought 300+ employees from around the
world together in Helsinki, I had suggested weighted helium balloons
to mark the session locations in a large ballroom. The client agreed.
I arrived expecting regular ovoid balloons in various colors. Instead,
I found that they had purchased 20+ mylar balloons of 20+ various
shapes, each filled with helium and weighted to stand on their own.
So, we had the "guitar" space, the "cow" space, the "snoopy" space,
the "basket of roses" space, etc. etc.
At the end of the time, we gave the balloons to local participants to
take home to their children.
Totally a happy accident that worked really well. Another time, I may
do that deliberately. ;-)
Diana
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Diana Larsen
co-author: "Agile Retrospectives: Making Good Teams Great!"
Ask me about:
* "Secrets of Agile Teamwork: Beyond Technical Skills" *
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On Apr 20, 2008, at 2:37 AM, Martin Boroson wrote:
Harrison
Thanks for the tip about helium. (The only thing I like more than
balloons, is balloons filled with helium!)
Now you’ve given me a way to sell this to clients: By using helium
balloons, groups can gather in one place but move to another, taking
their balloons with them. They can combine with other groups. And
we can see it all happening up above.
Marty
From: OSLIST [mailto:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu] On Behalf Of
Harrison Owen
Sent: 19 April 2008 20:40
To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu
Subject: Re: beyond balloons
I am not sure that there is anything beyond balloons. For me they
are the ultimate! Of course, I might be prejudicially partial, but
then again I was introduced to the whole matter by a master. You
will recall the gathering of 2108 German Psychiatrists which Michael
Pannwitz and I facilitated several years ago. It took place in the
town ofWurzburg (sp?), and because Michael was closer (Berlin) he
took responsibility for logistics.
The town of Wurzburg is a lovely place, and has a most delightful
convention center. Unfortunately the main hall was not of sufficient
size to handle an Open Space of record proportions. The solution was
brilliant! Two circus tents in an open field! So we had the space,
but also a problem. How do you designate break out areas for what
turned out to be 236 groups? Of course you could put signs around
the edges, but tent walls tend to be rather low and all the people
would be mushed on the outside. Michael came up with a winner.
Helium filled balloons tied to a sack of sand, each bearing a
special number. Just imagine a large circus tent with 236 colored
balloons dancing all over the floor. And it got better.
If posting breakout space designations was a problem – how would you
handle the essential signs (Principles and Law) to say nothing of
Butterflies and Bumble Bees? Michael came through gloriously. Each
sign was taped to a thin stick to which were attached half a dozen
balloons. Let loose, they floated elegantly about the tent. And much
more of the same with the Bumble Bees and Butterflies! Lots and lots
– floating free!
It was just beautiful – some might even think odd – or crazy. But we
had no worries. After all we had 2108 Psychiatrists in attendance.
Harrison
Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Drive
Potomac, Maryland 20854
Phone 301-365-2093
Skype hhowen
Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com
Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org
Personal website www.ho-image.com
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-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu] On Behalf Of
Martin Boroson
Sent: Saturday, April 19, 2008 1:46 PM
To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu
Subject: beyond balloons
Hello all
I’d love to know what you use to designate breakout spaces in a
large conference room.
I’ve been using bunches of balloons, taped to the wall (and then
referring to the red, blue, green, yellow areas, etc.).
I am indeed very partial to balloons.
But not every client wants the room to look like a circus – at the
outset, anyway. :)
Marty
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