Posted: Thursday 28 May 2009
Team Development with Emerson Process Management
A small group from Emerson Process Management were taking part in Team Development away-days at the magnificent Cringletie House, which was concluded with an afternoon of intensive Team Building activities with Team Challenge Company.
The international team had travelled from all over Europe to take part in the Team Development away-days, and the final Team Building afternoon focused on leadership, teamwork, communication skills and working together efficiently and effectively - all whilst having plenty of fun in the process. The Team Development afternoon began with the group discussing their own personal objectives for the day, before heading outside for the first challenge - the ever difficult Helium Stick.
It all seemed so easy in practice, particularly for Team John Berra, who seemed like they were going to walk it, but when the pressure of the real thing mounted the team cracked and failed miserably! Not that the other teams could laugh, as each and every one of them found it embarrassingly difficult! Despite the challenging start, the teams had undoubtedly learned some valuable lessons in communication and leadership to take forward throughout the rest of the Team Development afternoon.
The four teams, namely The Mean Green Team, Team David Farr, The Magnificents and Team John Berra, then rotated around a set of Team Building activities in glorious sunshine, aiming to score as many points as possible and lift the coveted Team Challenge Company Winners Trophy. The Team Building tasks included Blind Intent, Rollerball, String Test and the mighty Bridge Build.
It was a tight run contest, with all of the teams showing excellence in at least one of the Team Building challenges, with Team David Farr working together to build a tent whilst blindfolded in record quick time, and The Mean Green Team showing tremendous team awareness and communication to spot a teammate missing from action in the String Test.
It was the challenging String Test that provided much of the laughs throughout the Team Development afternoon, with one particular roar of encouragment coming from Team John Berra's mentor, Fiona. She motivated her team around the course by shouting 'You guys look like a bunch of blind old ladies bundling through the forest on way to the shops!' Inspiration indeed, which saw her team fire around the course in double-quick time!
As the Team Development session came to an end, it was time for the big finale on the Bridge Build. All the scores were tight at the top, and everybody was still in with a chance to win the trophy. Unfortunately for Donald's Mean Green Team, their bridge was not up to the challenge, and were the only unsuccessful team in the task - must have been all that masking tape the stole earlier on in the day!
And so, with the scores checked and verified, the presentations time had arrived, and picking up the Wooden Spoon for their efforts were the Mean Green Team, scoring a highly respectable 2200. They were closely beaten into third spot by The Magnificents on 2600, and Team David Farr snuck into second with 2800. However, run-away winners of the Team Development day were the unstoppable Team John Berra, who scored an enormous 3600 points and walked away champs, holding the Team Challenge Company Winners Trophy aloft.
All in all, the Team Development afternoon had been a great success, with all who attended enjoying the fun and laughter whilst also taking some valuable learning outcomes from the Team Building tasks. The enthuiasm ond energy of the group and their mentors was a great credit to Emerson Process Management, and we at Team Challenge Company look forward to working with Natalie, Fiona and the rest of the group come Friday.
