During the spring of 2009, SMP Partners, the Island's largest trust and corporate service provider, and long standing supporter of The Children's Centre, embarked on a company wide team building programme designed, organised and led by CPD. With 140 employees in a multi-disciplined, professional services company, communication and team work are essential to create a positive working environment and deliver top class client service.
We wanted a team building exercise that would take all our employees out of the office into an enjoyable but challenging environment. As a multi-faceted group with a number of specialist teams, the quality of our client service is dependent on excellent communication and co-ordination within and between these teams. We also employ a number of European nationals serving our international client base and the programme was an opportunity for groups of mixed discipline, culture and seniority to work together on challenging projects in a non-work environment.
The course consisted of six groups each taking part in a team building day at Silverdale Glen. Built around a series of challenging, practical outdoor activities it called upon each participant's team working, communication and decision- making skills. The practical exercises created a relaxed, non-threatening environment for the participants to get to know each other and explore each other's working styles and motivational drivers.
The outdoor activities were interspersed with short indoor sessions where group members were encouraged to discuss their individual experiences of the exercises and, through the introduction of some theoretical aspects of team behaviour, gain insight into how the teams could work more effectively.
The course was professionally organised and delivered by the CPD team. Feedback from all participants has been extremely positive. Without exception, they enjoyed the day and found it an extremely worthwhile experience. From the company's perspective, we are delighted that it fully achieved our objectives, not least of which was that everyone should have fun.
Mark Denton, Managing Director, SMP Partners
