The beautiful grounds of Meldrum House Hotel provided the perfect venue for a morning of Team Building with a fun and enthusiastic group from Exxon Mobil, as they took on our hugely popular Trade to Win Challenge.

Though it seemed like the morning start was a little too early for some (with sunglasses being donned by many an attendee), the cobwebs were soon shaken off as the Team Building Trade to Win Event got under way. The three teams, who quickly became known as Button Moon, Kilemol and Up Yours, would compete in a number of varied Team Building Challenges throughout the morning in a bid to earn as much money as possible so as they could design, build and fly a rocket. The nervous atmosphere turned to eager anticipation as the Team Challenge Company Winners Trophy was put on display! Who would win it...it was anyone's guess...! Let the Games Begin!

Though the teams struggled slightly to overcome the might of the Helium Stick Ice Breaker, Bridge Build would surely produce something special...and special it was! Button Moon's monstrosity was put to shame by the incredible construction that was on display from Team Up Yours, the newly acclaimed Bridge Build Legends! Kilemol's Bridge was a sight for sore eyes, but it seems they forgot all about practicality and focussed on looks! With some early money in the bag it was time to head outdoors for the next session of Team Building Challenges.

As the morning passed quickly, the three teams bid for big scores across a number of Team Building Challenges, with Blind Intent proving very popular with the blindfold lovers among the teams! Some great communication skills were on show throughout this challenge, whilst other teams were getting a little too friendly on the Stepping Stones (the boys for Button Moon, you know who you are!) The Axe Throwing proved tough, but not for Linda, who looped a phenomenal shot right into the heart of the target!

The Rollerball Team Building Challenge saw some outrageous designs thought up and produced, but none were more sensational than that of Team Up Yours! This piece of engineering genius could have kept their golf ball in motion for days on end...basically the exact opposite of what Button Moon put together! They were great at one thing though...shooting! The Laser Clay Pigeon Shooting gave their team a big chance to get back in the race, it was just a shame that they found their stride so late in the day.

With money earned and a savage amount of embarrassing pleas for discount undertaken at the Rocket Shop, the morning of Team Building neared its big finale, as the Trade to Win Challenge raced into the countdown to launch! After fabulous presentations from Button Moon and Team Kilemol (and a frankly terrible effort from Team Up Yours), we headed outside into the Autumn sun for what was to be something spectacular! The teams had come together to agree that the rocket produced by Up Yours was most likely to win them the contract, but unfortunately some poor craftsmanship lead to the rocket flying towards the Banff direction without a parachute in site!

At least it flew though, right Team Kilemol? Some say it was a dodgy fuse, others say it was dodgy quality assurance, all we know is there was no spark to cheer about! And would you believe it...Team Button Moon...! What a launch, what a parachute, what a flight, what a landing! The crowds stared in stunned silence as their magnificent creation drifted back to earth...amazing! However, it wasn't enough to stave off defeat, and they proudly stepped forward to collect their Wooden Spoon! And so, despite their failure to launch, the much-coveted Team Challenge Company Winners Trophy went to the mighty Team Kilemol!

The Team Building Trade to Win Event had been a massive success, and was thoroughly enjoyed by all in attendance! A big thank-you goes out to Linda and Nita, whose effort and enthusiasm in organising the Team Building event really shone through on the day. The group from Exxon Mobil were an absolute pleasure to work with, and we at Team Challenge Company look forward to seeing you all again soon.