There exists an overwhelming range of ice breaker activities that are used in many workplaces.
From a lightening fast ‘introduce each other’ to a long winded, fastidiously facilitated session in group harmonics. It is possible however to identify a few distinct types of popular ice breaker ideas, each serving a function that of course, may not necessarily be unique to it.

In this article we will discuss what you need to consider when choosing your next icebreaker be it for a team meeting, a sales rev up, or a training session.

The perfect Icebreaker

Deciding which Icebreaker is right for a situation is not anybody's guess.

Pull a page at random out of some activity book and you are quite likely to wish you were invisible the instant you announce what you have in store for your audience.The good news is that there are countless ways in which your icebreaker can work for you.

The bad news is that there are even more ways in which it can leave you and your audience with a bitter taste in the mouth. And not because you didn't use the chocolate. Here's a quick look at what you should keep in mind while Choosing The Right Icebreaker.

Nature of the group

Older, easily exhaustible audiences may not appreciate an icebreaker that require vigorous physical activity.If you are handling a cross section of the hierarchy, keep things comfortably impersonal.

Time available

Icebreakers that are embedded in a day long meeting should generally not exceed 15 minutes.Beyond that, the real purpose of the 'do' might start becoming less obvious to your group than it should.If you are dealing with a very large group, choose something that facilitates total participation without eating into what would conventionally be called productive time.

Effort/skill required

While an icebreaker can do a lot to foster creativity, it shouldn't place too much impetus on particular skills required to attempt it comfortably.Like say, a 'salsa dancing session'. Did I just hear someone wince?

Keep it at general skills and easily played roles.
An icebreaker is no arena for evaluation. It is simply a way to get things and people moving.

Been there before?

If you come across an icebreaker you've heard about or been subject to before, ignore it.For the simple reason that half your audience might have heard about it as well. You'll hear knowing chuckles from every end of the room and God forbid if you made some unnecessary changes!

Innovation is the name of the game. And that is where a little customization serves its purpose.Besides, care in preparation convinces your audience you are involved in the process and triggers off appreciation and a greater sense of involvement.

Get set go

The real key to a perfect icebreaker is the actual execution. Making sure props are handy, all materials required are in supply et al. Any icebreaker that happens via borrowing of pens and sharing of desk space is negligible and perhaps, best avoided. Clear instructions and adequate encouragement are important.
The group needs to ensure that it is really a group and not just a few hyperactive souls representing the rest.

Keep these pointers in mind while you look for great icebreaker ideas as well as when you're actually out there orchestrating things.

Now for an icebreaker that can be used at the sales meeting or rev session, before a team meeting and in the training environment.

It requires little preparation apart from some photocopying and pens or markers for each participant.This was a favourite of mine when training for long periods of time, as participants could use the sheet again to communicate if the training was on target, if they were tired, over it or simply that they were happy.