MTa MINI

The 9 versatile MTa MINI activities are based on over 300 robust, reusable, mini components and specific facilitator guides.

Each facilitator guide includes comprehensive facilitator notes, encapsulated participants briefs and individual review and learning transfer sheets.
The MTa MINI is very light (5-8 kg) and therefore the ideal travelling 'development tool'.
All activities are table top and most raise issues associated with people working together whilst physically separated.
4 of the activities, MTa MINI Essentials, are introductory whilst the 5 MTa MINI Crossing Boundaries activities are more demanding.

...read more testimonialsTestimonials:

The best and most innovative training materials that I have used and they really do WORK.

Lisa Running - Training & Development Manager, EDF Contracting Services

MTa MINI Essentials: (code: MIN-E)

The 4 one-hour MTa MINI Essentials activities introduce elements of working with others in a business context

Handcuffed

An energizing activity for people who would benefit from an insight into: planning and close cooperation within competing teams (Part 1), co-operating and communicating between teams that have to work together to achieve their goals (Part 2). Part 1 can be used in isolation as an ice-breaker.

Planning and working together under pressure
Awareness of others needs
Helping each other to complete their tasks
Achieving success through teamwork
Inter-team working
Careful and detailed planning.

Helipads

An activity to initiate thinking about achieving business success through effective team working within and between teams.

Understanding and achieving business success
Planning within and between teams
Making the most of market opportunities
Introduction to negotiation
Developing team skills
Taking personal responsibility and trusting others to do their job.

Gantry

A competitive activity to help participants understand the importance of customer orientation, establishing and working to priorities, planning (and revising plans), estimating costs and working within a set time frame.

Customer focus: identifying, understanding and meeting customer priorities
Planning
Working together
Reviewing progress against objectives
Changing plans (with agreement) as necessary.

Within Four Walls

An activity for people who need to set targets and plan, but understand that original decisions may not be appropriate as new information is received: progress needs to be monitored and plans changed if necessary.

Planning in a competitive environment
Setting and achieving realistic (stretching?) targets
Valuing new information and revising targets and plans appropriately
Understanding and focussing on priorities
Influencing decision making.

MTa MINI Crossing Boundaries: (code: MIN-B)

The 5 demanding 1-3 hour MTa MINI Crossing Boundaries activities develop the team working and leadership skills needed when working across functional. hierarchical. geographical and historical boundaries.

Carts and Horses

Level: intermediate, Time 1 - 2 hours, 8 - 15 Participants

Using similar components, groups work independently to assemble a model of their own design. Using face to face, verbal and telephone communications each group replicates another team's model, but to do this they must disassemble their own model.

understanding the overall objective
planning and revising plans
inter-team communications
co-operating, not competing teams
instructing

Promises, Promises

Level: advanced, Time 2 - 3 hours, 9 - 13 Participants

The leader has promised that two teams will each deliver a price and a product within a set time. Each team has different constraints, but the tasks seem achievable. Very quickly the stores become a major bottle neck and the promises become daunting. As pressure mounts focusing on the key issue is critical.

leading different teams at the same time
understanding and working with priorities
managing changing situations
satisfying customers needs
the cost of rash promises

Transport

Level: intermediate, Time 1 - 2 hours, 8 - 12 Participants

Two teams, working in different locations, have to work together to build an articulated truck and two skips. The truck must carry the skips containing unused materials and any scrap produced. The goal posts are always on the move!

understanding the overall objective and constraints
planning
teams working on related tasks in different locations
communicating effectively

Words, Names and Numbers

Level: advanced, Time 1 - 2 hours, 6 - 12 Participants

Initially three teams work independently to produce a product. It's easy. Later they come together as one big team, the brief combining their earlier briefs but additional constraints become the big issue. Teams fail to capitalise on the resources of the new big team. The merging of the 'companies' delivers almost no benefit, Why?

personal attitudes to change
the benefits of diversity
merging teams (and organisations)
recognising and benefiting from others' potential

The Rig

Level: intermediate, Time 1 - 2 hours, 6 - 12 Participants

The aim is to make money by producing a model oil rig. Everyone works together pre-assembling sections in three separate production areas before the final assembly. But will they fit together? Planning is paramount.