The Big Book of Humorous Training Games (Big Book of Business Games Series) [Paperback]

Doni Tamblyn (Author), Sharyn Weiss (Author)

Book Description

Series: Big Book Series | Publication Date: June 27, 2000

To produce changes that last beyond the classroom, training games must engage restless audiences, keep them interested­­and make learning fun!

The Big Book of Humorous Training Games uses witty, engaging games to create memorable lessons in numerous basic training topics, including customer service, teambuilding, creative problem solving, time management, and more. Step-by-step instructions work with dozens of reproducible handouts and worksheets help trainers and speakers minimize preparation time­­and maximized training success.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The latest mind-brain research confirms something every trainer has long suspected: that people think and learn better when the process is fun. The Big Book of Humorous Training Games features 50 unique experiential training activities that create memorable learning on topics ranging from management skills, change, and emotional intelligence to dealing with difficult people.

This easy-to-read manual gives step-by-step directions that will help new and veteran trainers infuse their workshops with humor, fun and creativity. Each chapter in the book offers fie games to teach a popular, business-related topic. You get:

• Theoretical background on the topic
• A suggested amusing introduction for each activity
• Step-by-step directions
• Reproducible handouts
• Recommended debriefing questions

The book is peppered throughout with comic delivery tips to enhance your comfort with the material.

The Big Book of Humorous Training Games will help you to tap into your natural ability to use humor. Find out how to hold your learners' attention, and design training sessions that will drive home the essential skills they need.

About the Author

Doni Tamblyn, is President of the San Francisco based training company, Humor Rules. Over the past 10 years she has delivered hundreds of seminars and presentations to organizations around the world.

Sharyn Weiss, is a performance consultant and trainer with 15 years of experience working with non-profit and corporate groups. she has an MA in Training and Development. This is her second book on experiential training.

Product Details

• Paperback: 279 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (June 27, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071357807
• ISBN-13: 978-0071357807
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,536 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #24 in Books > Business & Investing > Management & Leadership > Training

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

110 of 114 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Humor Opened Doors and Minds, February 21, 2001

By 

"workline" (Winnipeg, Manitoba) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Big Book of Humorous Training Games (Big Book of Business Games Series) (Paperback)

I recently purchased a copy of this book as I was preparing to facilitiate a workshop on respect in the workplace. I had used games in previous training sessions but was pleasantly surprised when I came across this book.

I referred specifically to Chapter 8, dealing with reducing workplace negativity. I found that the games triggered a powerful response from the participants as their concerns became very obvious in a non-threatening way. The real benefit was what happened at the debriefing. Our discussion of issues turned into in-depth problem-solving. One participant said that an issue that had been festering with her for over three years was effectively resolved because the matter was finally discussed openly.

Fifty games set out in a manner that is easy to follow, easy to understand, and clearly focused on the concern being addressed, each game in a group probes deeper into the issues without getting personal. The final game in each group leads workshop participants to make a commitment to change. The structure of the games also permitted enough flexibility to address a group's specific workplace behaviors thereby making the exercise very relevant to the group. Based on the responses from participants in my recent workshop, the point of the games came through clearly and effectively, and will result in real change in their workplace. Very powerful catalysts, your games are.

I must also say that I am thoroughly enjoying this book! As a human resource consultant and trainer, I am always looking for new ways of thinking about change. This book is stimulating my mind to find other ways to present ideas in a fun and creative manner. Doni and Sharyn really helped make my job as a facilitator easier by giving me such powerful tools. I am keeping my eyes open to purchase other books by Doni & Sharyn to add to my library. I can hardly wait for Doni's new book, LAUGH AND LEARN: 95 WAYS PEOPLE WHO TEACH CAN USE HUMOR TO BOOST THE BRAIN.

61 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lots of ideas, March 15, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Big Book of Humorous Training Games (Big Book of Business Games Series) (Paperback)

I got this book with Brian Miller's Quick Teambuilding Activities (also from amazon.com). Both are good. This one has more activities, but not necessarily better ones. I like the way this one often has a "suggested funny intro" for introducing the activity because i usually stumble in setting it up. The only problem is that some of the activites are quite long (up to an hour)...that's where Millers book excels, all activities are 15 min or less. The activities here are organized into nice categories, too.

61 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Big Book of Humorous Training Games, November 18, 2001

By 

K. Tanney-Webber (Concord, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Big Book of Humorous Training Games (Big Book of Business Games Series) (Paperback)

This book is a must for anyone who is involved with training or in giving presentations. I write and design training materials for a large corporation in which there is a constant need for training on many different levels. I have repeatedly used this book to make even the dryest of training materials fun, interesting and interative. The techniques work for all levels of employees from management down to Customer Service Reprensentatives. Now people walk away from training classes retaining far more information than before I found and began using this book. Participation and interest have greatly improved. I highly recommend this book-don't wait another minute longer to buy it!