Jeff Zbar | 12/1/2004

Team-building helps boost camaraderie -- especially among fast-growing companies with lots of new faces. Before hiring a trainer, ask yourself these questions:

What's my budget?
Programs often start around $2,500 for a half-day session for a minimum of 12 people. What you're willing to pay will determine the variety of activities you'll be given.

What are my expectations?
Is the company looking to strengthen individual teams, make its entire workforce more comfortable together or just have some fun? Work with the trainer to build a program suited to your specific needs.

Is the trainer right for my company?
Has she asked intuitive questions about your team and goals? Has she played the role of partner in your training effort? asks Jo Spurrier, president of Berkana Corp., a coaching firm in Jacksonville. Clients often don't know what they want to achieve. It's up to the trainer to pull out the details.

Will I do it again?
Long-term change doesn't come from one training session, says Trina Pulliam, president of Trainnovations, a Jupiter-based training firm. If the exercise is successful, plan for more outings. "We can't affect people's behavior and implement change in a half-day event," she says.

Tags: Florida Small Business, Around Florida, Entrepreneur