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$ 86,400 to spend!

Submitted by ortmann on Tue, 2008-12-02 02:01.
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Editors rating: 
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Group facilitation methods: Openings, Reflection / Dialogue

Identification

Level of process: 
Method
Intent or purpose: 

To have a group come up with ideas on how to spend $86,400 within 24 hours. This exercise helps to acknowledge time and its importance in our day-to-day lives.

Used as component of: 

Any workshop that in some sense deals with efficiency, for instance workshops that deal with project planning.

Types of Participants: 
Any who are willing to volunteer
Optimal amount of time needed: 
15 to 20 minutes

Howto

Usual or Expected Outcomes: 
a table on a whiteboard/flipchart on how to spend 86,400 $. Furthermore, the intangible appreciation of the time we are given each day.
Level of participation: 
high
Ideal Conditions: 
chosen person could feel embarassed if no encouragement takes place. Other members of the group could feel envy as they weren't chosen.
How is success evaluated: 
The group evaluates the process together
Type of Facilitator-Client Relationship: 
close
Level of Difficulty to Facilitate: 
No specific skills required
Facilitator Personality Fit: 
no extraordinary level of fitness required
Setting and Materials: 
Board/flip chart, play money could be useful, whiteboard marker, pens and papers
Pre-Work Required: 
no
Procedures: 

As participants enter the room,
?Congratulations To HARRY (name of any participant)? is being written down on the board.
The group is now given the opportunity to discuss what this sign could mean, including the addressed participant whose name appeared on the board.

After some minutes passed, the following script (guideline) can be used:
?I cannot understand why Harry is not exited. Something really great happened to him today! His millionaire-uncle told him to transfer $86,400 to his bank account. (write number on the board). However, there are some conditions for this present. First of all, the money has to be wisely spent, or otherwise Harry will be written out of his uncle?s will.
Furthermore:
a. The money must be spent in the next 24 hours
b. Stores will be closed most of this time
c. Harry also has to work since his boss won?t have him take the day off
Harry wants all of us to help him with spending this money. Anything you think Harry should have can be bought, but keep it in even Dollars. Harry, you can buy as well, of course, if you?d like.?

Now ask participants to call out purchases and their prices. Ask them to be very specific (If i.e. car is suggested, ask for brand. If house, ask ?what type?? and ?where??) and write their suggestions on the board, including costs.

As soon as the money is spent, ask Harry whether he is fine with the proposals (Sometimes changes are being suggested and a new round will start). If ?Harry? agrees, be prepared to come up with the conclusion.

For concluding the following script is suggested:
?You are probably a bit confused now, wondering what this exercise has to do with time management. Every one of us has 86.400 seconds every day, to fill them with whatever we want to fill them. And how to spend that time or allowing others how to spend that time for you, is the essence of time management.

Follow-Up Required: 
none
How flexible is the process?: 
fairly flexible

Background

Developer: 
Willie Cable, Arizona Health Plan, Pheonix, Arizona
License Model: 
Free (or unattributable)
Website: 
http://www.iaf-methods.org

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