Behind the scenes of TeamTalk

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Table of contents

• Introduction
• Exploiting product strengths
• Popularizing the levels
• Putting science first
• A rethought and redesigned format
• Comparison table
• Conclusion

Introduction

Since its launch in early 2021, the TeamTalk game has never stopped evolving, always with the aim of bringing more humanity to the teams. We have built and tested, step by step, each new addition with our users. What's more, we've invested in research and development, we've been supported by experts, and we've gone live. In the Eye of the Dragon. All these initiatives have contributed greatly to improving the product.

Today marks a big day for us, the launch of V2 of the physical game. The aim of this article is to share with you, in all humility, TeamTalk's iterative process, and to highlight the main features of this new version.

Exploiting product strengths

Many users of the game have told us: "The strength of TeamTalk lies in its simplicity". We wanted to build on the product's strengths by making it even simpler and clearer. So we brought together a group of experts to simplify the questions on each card. Also, through our experience in the field, we observed which questions were hitting home runs and which needed to be reworked. After much iteration, each question was revised.

Popularizing the levels

In the same spirit, we've decided to remove the word "gift" from each of the levels to make them easier to understand. Here are the new levels:

Level 1: Getting to know yourself Ideal for: Integrate new team members; Get to know your colleagues better; Promoting psychological safety.
Level 2: Showing appreciation Ideal for: Recognize and appreciate colleagues; Celebrate team successes; Encouraging a sense of belonging.
Level 3: Opening up with courage Ideal for: Say what you sincerely think and feel; Highlight areas for improvement within the team; Create more authentic and meaningful links.

Putting science first

As we were questioned, we made links between the impact of our product and science. In this way, we were able to apply theoretical concepts to the impact of each of the game's levels.

Level 1: Getting to know yourself

• Building psychological security
• The result: a safe environment where people feel confident to share.¹

Level 2: Showing appreciation

• Satisfy the three fundamental needs of self-determination theory: autonomy, competence and social affiliation.
• The result: higher levels of individual well-being.²

Level 3: Opening up with courage

• Ask questions directly and enter into your vulnerability
• Result: express your real opinion or feelings, without fear of judgment or reprisal.³

A rethought and redesigned format

Feedback received, feedback heard. The "gift to go" box and game cards have been completely redesigned. An instruction leaflet has been added. Nothing has been left to chance in terms of format. We increased the font size of the cards while reducing their format. We went from 100 to 150 cards to increase the diversity of the questions. Each card was numbered to make it easier to keep track of them throughout the game. The quality of the cards has been reduced from 350 grams to 400 grams, with matte lamination. We have also eliminated the box dividers to reduce the size of the set as much as possible. This more compact format makes the game easier to transport.

Comparison table

A table comparing V1 and V2, the result of 18 months of continuous iteration.

Number of cards	100	150
Card dimensions	80mm x 120mm	64mm x 89mm
Card quality	350g	400g mat premium
Levels	4 levels: -Gift that feels good -Gift that makes you stronger -Gift that makes you grow -Gift that takes courage	3 levels: -Getting to know each other -Showing appreciation -Open up with courage

Conclusion

We have always been inspired by the principle of Lean Startup which advocates a rapid time-to-market for the product, in order to validate its hypotheses through experimentation.⁴ Is the TeamTalk iteration cycle over? The market will tell us. One thing's for sure: we have high aspirations for our product, and we're looking forward to breaking into international markets. Thank you for your support. We are because you are.

Visit the link to purchase TeamTalk. 

References

1. DUHIGG, Charles. What Google learned from its quest to build the perfect team. The New York Times Magazine, 2016, vol. 26, no. 2016, p. 2016.
2. CHEON, Sung Hyeon, REEVE, Johnmarshall, YU, Tae Ho, et al. The teacher benefits from giving autonomy support during physical education instruction. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 2014, vol. 36, no. 4, pp. 331-346.
3. SCOTT, Kim. Radical Candor: Be a kick-ass boss without losing your humanity. New York: St. Martin's Press, 2019.
4. REIS, Eric. The lean startup. New York: Crown Business, 2011, vol. 27, p. 2016-2020.