beyond balloons

[Diana Larsen]

At a recent OS for a client who brought 300+ employees from around the  
world together in Helsinki, I had suggested weighted helium balloons  
to mark the session locations in a large ballroom. The client agreed.

I arrived expecting regular ovoid balloons in various colors. Instead,  
I found that they had purchased 20+ mylar balloons of 20+ various  
shapes, each filled with helium and weighted to stand on their own.  
So, we had the "guitar" space, the "cow" space, the "snoopy" space,  
the "basket of roses" space, etc. etc.

At the end of the time, we gave the balloons to local participants to  
take home to their children.

Totally a happy accident that worked really well. Another time, I may  
do that deliberately. ;-)

Diana

**
Diana Larsen
co-author: "Agile Retrospectives: Making Good Teams Great!"

Ask me about:
* "Secrets of Agile Teamwork: Beyond Technical Skills" *
June 3-5, Portland, Oregon

503 288 3550 www.futureworksconsulting.com/blog



On Apr 20, 2008, at 2:37 AM, Martin Boroson wrote:
> Harrison
>
> Thanks for the tip about helium.  (The only thing I like more than  
> balloons, is balloons filled with helium!)
>
> Now you’ve given me a way to sell this to clients:  By using helium  
> balloons, groups can gather in one place but move to another, taking  
> their balloons with them.  They can combine with other groups.  And  
> we can see it all happening up above.
>
> Marty
>
> From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of  
> Harrison Owen
> Sent: 19 April 2008 20:40
> To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> Subject: Re: beyond balloons
>
> I am not sure that there is anything beyond balloons. For me they  
> are the ultimate! Of course, I might be prejudicially partial, but  
> then again I was introduced to the whole matter by a master. You  
> will recall the gathering of 2108 German Psychiatrists which Michael  
> Pannwitz and I facilitated several years ago. It took place in the  
> town ofWurzburg (sp?), and because Michael was closer (Berlin) he  
> took responsibility for logistics.
>
> The town of Wurzburg is a lovely place, and has a most delightful  
> convention center. Unfortunately the main hall was not of sufficient  
> size to handle an Open Space of record proportions. The solution was  
> brilliant! Two circus tents in an open field! So we had the space,  
> but also a problem. How do you designate break out areas for what  
> turned out to be 236 groups?  Of course you could put signs around  
> the edges, but tent walls tend to be rather low and all the people  
> would be mushed on the outside. Michael came up with a winner.  
> Helium filled balloons tied to a sack of sand, each bearing a  
> special number. Just imagine a large circus tent with 236 colored  
> balloons dancing all over the floor. And it got better.
>
> If posting breakout space designations was a problem – how would you  
> handle the essential signs (Principles and Law) to say nothing of  
> Butterflies and Bumble Bees? Michael came through gloriously. Each  
> sign was taped to a thin stick to which were attached half a dozen  
> balloons. Let loose, they floated elegantly about the tent. And much  
> more of the same with the Bumble Bees and Butterflies! Lots and lots  
> – floating free!
>
> It was just beautiful – some might even think odd – or crazy. But we  
> had no worries. After all we had 2108 Psychiatrists in attendance.
>
> Harrison
>
> Harrison Owen
>
> 7808 River Falls Drive
>
> Potomac, Maryland   20854
>
> Phone 301-365-2093
>
> Skype hhowen
>
> Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com
>
> Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org
>
> Personal website www.ho-image.com
>
> OSLIST: To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the  
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>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of  
> Martin Boroson
> Sent: Saturday, April 19, 2008 1:46 PM
> To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> Subject: beyond balloons
>
> Hello all
>
> I’d love to know what you use to designate breakout spaces in a  
> large conference room.
>
> I’ve been using bunches of balloons, taped to the wall (and then  
> referring to the red, blue, green, yellow areas, etc.).
>
> I am indeed very partial to balloons.
>
> But not every client wants the room to look like a circus – at the  
> outset, anyway.   :)
>
>
> Marty
>
>
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