Abzorb

Abzorb’s M.D. Steve Beeby, Sales Director, Faruk Amin and four Managers, Liz Watson Finance Manager, Ben Sugden IT Manager, Paul Goodrick Customer Services Manager and Jonathon Southgate Provisioning Manager, set off for Skipton on a freezing and extremely frosty Sunday in December to take part in a challenging Management Training Course.  Heading from various parts of Yorkshire, they arrived at The Bardon Bunkhouse armed with sleeping bags and plenty of warm clothing, which was just as well as the outside temperature was - 4.5˚c!  The accommodation was basic and unheated.  After deciding who would have the top bunks the activities got into full swing.

The first day was a series of mini challenges carried out as a team to test physical and mental abilities.  The team had a different leader and observer for each task.  After each task was completed, there was a discussion with the observer as to how the leader had performed, including the reasons why each idea he/she had selected from their team members and how they could have improved the performance of the task.  This allowed each member to improve their leadership qualities and display selection and implementation skills.

These tasks included trying to put a bucket of water on the top of a pole without spilling any of the water!  A 12’ pole with a small platform on top was inside a square that couldn’t be stepped in.  The equipment supplied to carry out challenge were planks, poles, pieces of rope and carabinas.  Everyone had to work as a team and suggest ideas how to get the bucket up.  Although team members liaise regularly with one another in an office environment using their work skills, this allowed people to be on a level playing field with each other trying to solve a certain problem from the same standing point.  The task was successfully completed just as it was getting dark!  This shows that the team can come together, bounce ideas off each other and no matter how awkward or impossible something may seem, we can find a way round it together and achieve the result.  The feeling of achievement from the team was huge and a general feeling of camaraderie followed the group that evening to the local pub to celebrate a day of genuine team work.

After a tiring first day and a late night, day two consisted of rock climbing, abseiling and orienteering.  All members of the team attempted rock climbing and abseiling.  It didn’t matter what capabilities people had they were cheered on and encouraged by their colleagues which pushed them on further than they thought they’d be able to go.  It didn’t matter if they were standing at the bottom of the rock looking up or stepping over the edge abseiling down there was a huge sense of achievement on a personal and team level. 

Other activities on the last day included filling a large tube full of water to force a ping pong ball out.  However the tube was full of holes and our team needed all available fingers and thumbs after having made a plan of where everybody had to stand to cover the holes to force the ball out.  Team work at it’s best!

So what did we achieve from this course?  We set off as a group of colleagues wondering what we’d actually gain from the weekend, some more excited about the physical activities than the others, but everyone keen to pitch in and give it a go.
The adverse weather conditions, basic cold accommodation and the tiring physical and mental activities pushed our group further than they’d imagined it would do However, the comments from everyone have been extremely positive and the overall feeling is that people, no matter what their role back at the office, shared and discussed ideas, worked as a committed team and encouraged each other to go the extra mile and to try the individual activities no matter what their personal abilities may have been.  It was clear everyone’s achievements were shared by the group and that the weekend got better and better for everyone.

The skills and encouragement learnt on the course have had a very positive effect back at the office.  Our Directors and Managers have a more open supportive outlook and are more relaxed discussing ideas and asking for help with any issues that may arise within the company.  This is turn has been passed on to the various departments and we have a renewed positive open committed attitude within Abzorb.