Summer is here and I know for a fact that most companies conduct their human resources development activities at this time of the year.

I got an email from Anna (a high school friend) asking other friends and me for team building ideas. In short a really good team building activity. I guess this is for their annual corporate team building. She mentioned that it should be one that is aside from anything involving heights and ropes. I replied that I know a team building activity that involves bikinis and beach to which she replied; "That is very interesting to know. Bikini will be what we wear underneath and beaches will be the venue. Ha ha, how much? Free goodies enough?"

I was sweet-talked to it so I had no choice but to ask for more details. I was informed that the said team building activity would be sometime in April. I asked for specific team competencies she wants them to enhance, the goals she would like the team to achieve and who are the participants. Anna replied, "Communication and synergy, I guess. We don’t really have a team yet; we just have a "group" thrown in with each other assigned to the same department. Everybody works on their own and makes rules of their own; it’s the culture of the boss."

There are many team building activities out there that anyone can think of. Watch reality shows (Extra Challenge, The Apprentice, Amazing Race, and yes even the pathetic Pinoy Big Brother) and you could get a lot of ideas. For all we know, the activities of the shows were conceptualized by trainers and consultants using SLEs (structured learning experiences) and training icebreakers. Team building is fun and very effective if the participants are committed. The goals and objectives of the entire exercise should be well set and the facilitator must conduct a good great debriefing session afterwards otherwise the activity will just be a corporate outing disguised as an expensive training program.

And yes, a team more than just a group of people. A team is a group of committed interacting individuals sharing a common goal and the responsibility for achieving it. Team building is not just a buzzword, a catch phrase or a training fad. Team building is an intervention specifically designed to improve a company's organizational effectiveness. Team building is also a skill and any skill must be practiced to be mastered. A team building activity is an excellent way of boosting corporate staff morale and improving group dynamics and communication. Team building is exciting and challenging and has almost unlimited possibilities because human potential is almost unlimited.

Bikini and beach for a team building activity. It would be inexpensive and lots of fun!

You could buy books on team building and other office productivity tools here:

I have never been a fan of bestsellers or blockbusters. I did not bother to watch the movie Titanic or even listen enthusiastically to pop songs (which are usually just one hit wonders). I do not see anything special about the hit TV series, C.S.I. that my wife ardently looks forward to watch every week.

For me, they are mere formulaic entertainment pieces. But what is entertaining about something predictable or pretending to be intellectually stimulating? I’d rather be watching dumb-feel good-farce/bone ticklers, at least they do not give you false hopes or expectations. WYSIWYG.

I’m not an elitist or nicky picky guy. I’m just not the one that joins the bandwagon.

Last year, I borrowed from Jomai the #1 New York Times Bestseller of 2003, The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. It was already a tattered book when I got it so I guess it was well read by the owner. To my knowledge, the book had great reviews despite its being controversial. Being the hard to impress cynic that I am, I put off reading and instead passed it to Wendy, my wife.

“Enthralling and a page turner!” My enthused wife (who loves reading fiction) exclaimed as she kept prodding me (I am more of a non-fiction reader) to skim over the book. Which I did after several months- to put to rest what the fuss is about and before the movie version starring Tom Hanks comes out (for an in-depth comparison and analysis perhaps?).

My verdict? The novel is an erudite read. The twist and turns of the chase and unfolding of the clues is captivating. As the code is slowly, interestingly and brilliantly deciphered, the reader is left in awe. I now understand why the book is polemical. Its being controversial is part of its appeal. Besides, religion is always as a subject, touchy. The interplay of fact and fiction rivets the reader to ponder and be part of the fast paced novel.

Judge the book by its cover? Well, it is as enigmatic as the face that graces the book’s cover: La Gioconda (The Mona Lisa)

Be reminded though that it’s just a novel. Read it with an open mind.

A side note: I came across the website that lets you solve the original Da Vinci Code web quest and the Uncover the Code game. Try it! I tried and finished both (except for the part that you have to call a U.S. number- anggapoy load!). It’s very challenging and mind churning. The movie version will be released this May 2006.