Golden Oriole team working

Team working Our first session was for the HR leadership team at Tesco. Each year they put on a Christmas party for the HR department and in 2003 the theme was Kilts and Celts. They asked us whether, at very short notice, we could coach them through a performance of a couple of appropriate songs. We agreed and turned up to the first rehearsal. Following a further rehearsal, a change of song, and a few late entrants, they performed as part of the party, supporting Heather Small (who, it has to be said, was the main attraction!). Here is some of the feedback and some pictures
“I must say that I really did enjoy myself and quite honestly would have stayed up there [on stage] much longer if I had been given half a chance.... who wants to listen to Heather Small anyway when we were there! It was a pleasure working with you and Jen - maybe we'll have another chance in the future.” (An HR IT Director) “The team had a great night and the singing was a memorable highlight!!! The feedback has been that this… was the best yet. The whole evening… went so well and everyone gave 110%. I think you make a brilliant team- the HR Leadership Team are not always receptive to making time to do these things and yet on this occasion really entered into the whole spirit of it - so well done and thank you.” (A Corporate Capability Planning Manager) “PHIL: thanks again for all your support it was a great [event]” (an HR Director)

Our most recent event was for a marketing team from Vodafone. In a somewhat unusual location (a lightship in Portsmouth Harbour) we helped to make a two-day global departmental update meeting go down a storm (as did the weather!). On the first evening we ran a competition where the 40 participants were split into 4 groups and asked (with our help) to perform a song to their colleagues, with prizes for the most impressive. There were some imaginative performances, some pictures of which we have had to censor. On the following day, to finish off their meeting, we spent 3 hours making a recording of 2 songs, based loosely around the theme of their update meeting. The group came up with innovative artwork for the CD cover and made perhaps our bst recording to date.
Here is some of their feedback: “I really enjoyed this as it gave me an opportunity to do something that I would probably never otherwise have experienced. Being on a boat just made it a more surreal experience! Looking forward to hearing the results It was good that everyone was involved in some way shape or form and if people didn't want to sing, they didn't have to!” “Thought l'd hate it - loved it - real team build” “Great fun, good team work and something memorable to finish with”



Another Vodafone session involved trekking up to the wilds of north Norfolk, to Holkham park to take part in a management team building event. As essential part of this was giving the team an exercise in the evening which would release stresses and tensions and lead to a great sense of bonding for the event. The highlight for us was leaving very late and not being able to find our way out of the parkland, until we came across an old tumble-down lodge. An old lady with a lantern emerged, and we thought we were being led to our doom… however she opened some locked gates and showed us, very courteously considering the hour, out of the park. The evening’s events involved recording a couple of songs in a different lodge, with a control room set up in the dining room. An amazing time was had by all. Here is some of the feedback: “Many thanks indeed for a truly excellent session on Tuesday this week. What a performance all around. The team were delighted.” ”I’m sure we can do this again, if it was good for you!”