Frequently Asked Questions

Space Rescue | MiniTreasure

Space Rescue FAQs

How can I be sure it will work on my computer?
Will we just be sat at the computer the whole time?
How many people can be in a single team?
Can this cope with virtual teams?
How long do we need to set aside?
We're not based in the UK. Can we still use this?
What happens after I buy one or more sessions?
Can multiple teams share a networked printer?
After buying, how long do I have before I must run my session(s)?
What if we need technical assistance "on the day"?
Can we have a real person turn up to facilitate this for us?
Can I chat through my requirement with you?

How can I be sure it will work on my computer?

We have set up a test page that loads everything the application uses for you to test.  Click here to try it now.

No, no, no, no no!  This is no Playstation game!  The computer is there to facilitate the activity and provide a communications link to the spacecraft.   Teams have to tackle many challenges along the way and they are the heart of the action.  They include cerebral challenges, some that require construction skills, memory tests, knowledge tests – even a lightly physical task.  Real teams in real work situations need to harness the strengths within their members and work around their weaknesses in tackling a variety of tasks to achieve common goals.  The same is true in Space Rescue.

How many people can be in a single team?

We have no lower or upper limits, however realistically the range is probably from 3 people to 10.  There is nothing stopping you from running a session with, say, 35 people in a single team, but with any number greater than 10 priority setting will probably be unnecessary, yet in real life it is.  Similarly, less than 5 people and the team will find communicating with one another very easy and in real life it probably isn't.  So while 3 people can readily tackle the challenge, 5 people would be a more productive lower limit.  The best sized team, however, is really whatever is a natural work group size for you.  That way, the parallels will be strongest come debriefing time - assuming that you are not just doing the activity for challenge and some fun, that is.

Can this cope with virtual teams?

Absolutely. We pride ourselves on creating activities with plenty of parallels back to the workplace and if your workplace is a virtual one, here's an activity that can work as you do.  Wherever your team members are in the world, they simply need to login to the same page from as many computers as there are locations (or more if you want!).  Use your normal means for team communication (instant messaging, telephone, webcam, teleconferencing - whatever!) or our integrated team chat facility and set about the challenge.  You'll find the learning direct and relevant as the scenario allows you the same flexibility and presents the same difficulties that you face in real life. Team Building Rescue is a brilliant resource for virtual teams everywhere!

How long do we need to set aside?

The activity itself lasts exactly 2 hours.  We recommend 20 to 30 minutes for team preparation, so the minimum time to set aside is around 2½ hours.  The activity is packed with parallels back to the workplace and for those who want to maximise what they get back in return for the time they spend, we recommend using our full structured debriefing process, which takes about 1½ hours tops.  You can, of course, choose not to debrief or hold a shorter one as you prefer.  So between 2½ and 4 hours is the amount of time to set aside, depending on how much learning focus you want to have.

We're not based in the UK.  Can we still use this?

Yes.  Space Rescue can be used anywhere there is a reliable internet connection.  Although we intend to add additional languages in the future, it is only available in English at the moment.  If that is not a problem for you, we'll be delighted to have you as a customer!

What happens after I buy one or more sessions?

After your payment has been accepted, you will be emailed your login details, a link to a facilitator guide to the session(s), a link to the participant briefing pack to be printed at your leisure and a link to the participant debriefing guide in case you want to pre-print these also.

Can multiple teams share a networked printer?

Yes.  All printouts prominently display the team name on them.  If you have more than one team running at the same time and they are using a shared network printer, they will be able to tell which printouts belong to which team very easily.  If you have many teams sharing the same printer, please try to use a fairly fast printer so teams are not kept waiting for their printouts for long!

As long as you like.  When you purchase one or more sessions, you will be emailed your login details immediately and you can run it straight away, if you like.  Your login credentials can be used at any time though - 24/7, 365 days a year, 366 days in leap years.  Your session details will not expire - ever - until after you have completed your session.  And even then, you will always be able to use them to return to your team's performance analysis page at any time in the future.

What if we need technical assistance "on the day"?

Simply let us know in advance when you are planning to hold your session and we will try to keep somebody free to assist by telephone and/or using the integrated team chat facility if required.  If you want to guarantee that someone will be available, contact us and we will provide a reasonable quote depending on the timing.  That said, you really shouldn't need it if you check your system for compatibility and it passes!  Our system is very robust.

Can we have a real person turn up to facilitate this for us?

If you like the look of Team Building Rescue but prefer an old-fashioned session, we'll oblige - at an extra cost of course.  The price for a facilitated session depends on the number of participants and the location.  Please contact us and we will be pleased to offer a fixed price quotation.

Can I chat through my requirement with you?

Please do.  Call us in the UK on +44 (0) 1158 715690.  We'll be pleased to help you decide if Team Building Rescue is for you and advise you on how to get the most out of it.

MiniTreasure FAQs

How can I be sure it will work on my computer?
How many people can be in a single team?
Can this cope with virtual teams?
How long do we need to set aside?
We're not based in the UK. Can we still use this?
What happens after I buy one or more sessions?
After buying, how long do I have before I must run my session(s)?
What if we need technical assistance "on the day"?
Can we have a real person turn up to facilitate this for us?
Can I chat through my requirement with you?

How can I be sure it will work on my computer?

We have set up a test page that loads everything the application uses for you to test.  Click here to try it now.

How many people can be in a single team?

Mostly, that depends on how long you want to allocate to the activity.  For example, let's say that you have 12 people in your team and fancy promoting some good tempered competition.  One option is to organize them into 4 teams of 3 and allocate 50 minutes to the action.  If you have a little less time, say around 40 minutes, you could put them into 3 teams of 4.  If you are looking for something to fill just 30 minutes, you could go with 2 teams of 6.

And if you only have 15 minutes, you could keep them as one team or accept the fact that the teams will not be able to complete all of the questions.  However you want your session structured, MiniTreasure can handle it.  Naturally, our software includes a "Session Calculator" to help you smoothly work out the options.We have no lower or upper limits,

Can this cope with virtual teams?

Absolutely. We pride ourselves on creating activities with plenty of parallels back to the workplace and if your workplace is a virtual one, here's an activity that can work as you do.  Wherever your team members are in the world, they simply need to login to the same page from as many computers as there are locations (or more if you want!).  Use your normal means for team communication (instant messaging, telephone, webcam, teleconferencing - whatever!) or our integrated team chat facility and set about the treasure hunt.  MiniTreasure is a fantastic, fun option for virtual teams everywhere!

How long do we need to set aside?

Mostly, that depends on how how many people you want in each team.  For example, let's say that you have 12 people in your team and fancy promoting some good tempered competition.  One option is to organize them into 4 teams of 3 and allocate 50 minutes to the action.  If you have a little less time, say around 40 minutes, you could put them into 3 teams of 4.  If you are looking for something to fill just 30 minutes, you could go with 2 teams of 6.

And if you only have 15 minutes, you could keep them as one team or accept the fact that the teams will not be able to complete all of the questions.  However you want your session structured, MiniTreasure can handle it.  Naturally, our software includes a "Session Calculator" to help you smoothly work out the options.We have no lower or upper limits,

We're not based in the UK.  Can we still use this?

Yes.  Space Rescue can be used anywhere there is a reliable internet connection.  Although we intend to add additional languages in the future, it is only available in English at the moment.  If that is not a problem for you, we'll be delighted to have you as a customer!

What happens after I buy one or more sessions?

After your payment has been accepted, you will be emailed a link and access details to enable you to configure your team session(s) exactly as you want them.

As long as you like.  When you purchase one or more sessions, you will be emailed your login details immediately and you can run it straight away, if you like.  Your login credentials can be used at any time though - 24/7, 365 days a year, 366 days in leap years.  Your session details will not expire - ever - until after you have completed your session.  And even then, you will always be able to use them to return to your team's performance analysis page at any time in the future.

What if we need technical assistance "on the day"?

Simply let us know in advance when you are planning to hold your session and we will try to keep somebody free to assist by telephone and/or using the integrated team chat facility if required.  If you want to guarantee that someone will be available, contact us and we will provide a reasonable quote depending on the timing.  That said, you really shouldn't need it if you check your system for compatibility and it passes!  Our system is very robust.

Can we have a real person turn up to facilitate this for us?

If you like the look of Team Building Rescue but prefer an old-fashioned session, we'll oblige - at an extra cost of course.  The price for a facilitated session depends on the number of participants and the location.  Please contact us and we will be pleased to offer a fixed price quotation.

Can I chat through my requirement with you?

Please do.  Call us in the UK on +44 (0) 1158 715690.  We'll be pleased to help you decide if Team Building Rescue is for you and advise you on how to get the most out of it.