Stevens’ Speedfriending show for groups and departments

a fun and inspiring way to get to know each other a little bit better.

 

 

What is the purpose of this Speedfriending Show?

The purpose is super simple: to get to know each other better in a fun and quick way. No dull and standard questions like “how long have you been in this role.” Yawn. No, with these questions, you’ll stay awake, and the conversation will be interesting right from the start. Do you mind I make it a poem? ‘Right from the start, this show will hit your heart.’ 😇

How does it work?

Have you ever been to a speed dating event? Well, it’s kind of like that. You talk to someone for five minutes, then rotate. After that, you speak with someone else, and in an hour and a half, you might talk to seven or eight people. Maybe nine. Depends. This Speedfriending Show fits perfectly into the hour and a half before a drinks reception. Then, during the drinks, you can chat with even more people—maybe you can use one of the questions you heard earlier.

Do you have experience with companies and organizations?

Yes, I could have made that clearer in the video. I have over ten years of experience as an actor in training sessions and have led many large groups. I’ve worked a lot in the banking sector, as well as with governments, tech companies, and hospitals. I had a comedy show about collaboration.

We have problems in our team, and we want to solve them. Is this Speedfriending Show suitable as a team-building event?

NO. Good question, but I’m very clear about this: no. This is a show for groups of people who are looking for something fun and inspiring. Of course, there’s always some friction in teams, but this is absolutely not for groups where everyone is grumpy and misunderstandings lead to sleepless nights. Are you in war with each other? Book a mediator! This is for when you have a new group with a light mood, and you simply want people to get to know each other with lots of humor and inspiration. For example: people know half of the group well and the other half not.

Are we going to learn how to give feedback?

Are you joking? Absolutely not. This is not a training session. No workshop. Zero percent. I’ll forgive you if you accidentally call it that, but this is an event, a show, a great hour and a half where my goal is to send people to the drinks reception with a smile and a warm heart. This is not a training session.

I’m a manager who likes to give a speech at this kind of event. Is it better to do that before or after?

Good question. It’s nice that you’re so involved. But it’s better if you don’t give a speech at all. Trust me. Some managers want to give a speech after such an event and just explain what everyone has already experienced. That’s very sad. Every body starts to cry then. And then it suddenly gets quiet. You’ll ruin the atmosphere. And that is what you don’t want. Off course, after the event, you can thank me, you can say you felt it was great, but after three sentences, the drinks starts. No speeches. Your inspiration talk is beter the day before. I have a lot of experience with very awkward and boring speeches from your fellow managers. Let me put it this way: I forbid you, so it remains a fun afternoon, and you’re spared that awkward atmosphere too. The event speaks for itself. Just like you wouldn’t say, “Hey, a sunset!!!” during a sunset, it’s not necessary here either.

Before this very light-hearted event I want to announce that the half of the team will get fired. Hope you don’t mind? 

Ok, this is off course a joke, but you know people: this has happened. Not with me, but with a colleague of mine. Before a fun show the manager told people to fuck off. Off course in a very respectfull way. That is what I mean, you know.

I have a group of 8 people. Is that okay?

Preferably not. I’m afraid it will become a discussion group or a “how do we work together and what can be improved” workshop. It’s an event and a show with depth, humor, and inspiration. Nothing more. Certainly nothing less.

The questions are also about work or only about life? 

Every body has the freedom to answer it like they want. Off course. The questions are about being human.

What kind of people is this for?

Generally, I’d say it’s for people who understand that these kinds of questions about life, ambition, fears, dreams, and connection are fun to answer. It’s a lot of fun and pleasure, but also depth. It can off course get personal.

What kind of stories will you tell in between?

I’m now developing that, but one of the themes is that as humans, we’re more alike than we are different. I’ll also talk about those differences, which are often funny… and awkward. Stories that people can relate to. Never preachy—I find that very unattractive. Something that also connects us as people is that we all experience shame. I’ll talk about that too, to help open up the group a bit. In a light hearted way.

Lately, I’ve been fascinated by The School Of Life, and they have eight rules, one of which is: we’re all mad, and as a person, you should be able to answer the question: in what way are you mad? I find that a beautiful and relaxing thought. I have a strong dislike for forced positivity, and it never gets cheesy. On my behalf: the Speedfriending Show will be refreshingly genuine.

What other people say of my former work: 

“Johan has the gift of creating an atmosphere of trust within the group in a short amount of time. This gift, combined with his pleasant personality, ensured that we had a fantastic team afternoon. Thank you, Johan, and see you soon! – Marc Hoeneveld – Wehkamp

“The teams got to know each other in just 2 hours, and not by talking about trivial matters, but by sharing meaningful things about themselves. Johan managed to achieve a great result in this!

Judith Scherrenberg, Managing Partner, Edmond Halley.”

“What I found particularly striking was that there was an immediate, friendly atmosphere. Because of this, during the question rounds, it was less difficult to speak honestly from the heart.
Kirsten, accounting firm from De Lier.”

This sounds great, what is the next step? 

Send me an e-mail and we plan a video call. With coffee. And one of the questions we’ll discuss. Because they are so beautiful.