SEPTEMBER 23, 2011
On Friday, August 19 2011, ProviNET Solutions was sad to lose a few staff members to the imaginary hot lava that is native to the Camp Manitoqua grounds. Despite imaginary third degree burns and cauterized limbs, our company is relieved to announce there were no actual casualties and everyone survived the Team Building Event to return to work the very next Monday. The imaginary lava was below the staff members as an incentive for team building as they worked in unison to complete a few obstacles that required everyone to put our minds together in order to figure out a solution that would get all our team members from point A to point B in one, uncooked piece.
Whether it is the incentive of hot lava or just making sure our clients are well supported in their IT needs, ProviNET has always had a great team mindset. The company was grateful for an opportunity this summer to expound on those team skills at Camp Manitoqua, a Christian camp ground that offers team building programs for companies and which is also one of our many clients. The office took the afternoon off to allow everyone to participate in this event. Staff members then had the chance to work with people from other departments in a fun setting that required everyone to come together to figure out solutions and engage in critical thinking to achieve common goals.
Due to the recent influx of new employees at ProviNET that joined us in order to meet the growth our company is experiencing, the Team Building Event was much appreciated by the staff to allow everyone to get to know each other better. Joe Velderman, our Director of Managed Services commented, “The team building event was an illustrious opportunity for our team at ProviNET to practice critical problem solving skills in a fun and creative manner. I enjoyed getting to know some of the new staff members that have recently joined our team, as well as strengthening relationships with long-time co-workers. Ultimately, these types of team building experiences make ProviNET stronger as a company and better equipped to serve our clients.”
There were a few obstacles that each team had to tackle. There was a low ropes course that required two climbers to get from one point to another while being in constant contact with their partner as the rest of their team spotted them and helped them along. There was also a course with about 6 wooden islands and only 4 planks that would connect just a few of them at a time. Team members had to then work collectively to develop a strategy for getting the entire team from the first island to the last and then physically help their members stay out of the imaginary lava below and get to safety. Another example was a large balancing plank where the team had to get all of their members on to the surface without tipping the plank to the point where it would touch the ground on one side. One by one, members got on and then had to move around according to weight to keep everything balanced until everyone was on. Then everyone had to arrange themselves by birthdays on the plank which required a lot more communication and team work.
Of course each staff member had their favorites. Brett Keller, one of our Network and Communications Specialists said, “A cool part was the low ropes. The hardest one where you try to make it about 20+ feet across was quite a challenge. The best part was how everyone cheered the others on the whole time and really gave a whole team cheer when someone was able to make it! What team spirit if ever I’ve seen it!”
Additionally, the opportunity for the entire company to have a day out of the office having fun together was probably one of the best parts of the event. Not only did ProviNET have the chance to strengthen team spirit and problem solving skills, but it was also a great time to just have fun and goof off. Erin Raatjes, our Support Services Specialist commented, “It was great to work with people from other teams and get to know them in a different environment than the office. But I also enjoyed watching Carl [our Chief Information Officer] give piggy back rides to other ProviNET employees.”
All in all, the 2011 Team Building Event was a much appreciated opportunity for the ProviNET Solutions staff to work together in a fun environment while strengthening bonds with fellow employees from all departments. ProviNET is proud to provide our clients with the total solutions that are made possible by a collective effort from the entire company and this event was an excellent opportunity to enhance the unity between our departments as well as our individual employees. With even more growth on the horizon for the company, we all look forward to another event like this next year. Although Camp Manitoqua might need a lot more of that imaginary hot lava if we show up with even more employees next time.
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