The Case for Chamonix - Cost Effective, Compelling & X-cultural

After only 18 months of operating from our Chamonix base (to November 2001), Corporate Interventions Ltd. has an impressive track record of successfully delivered events: 21 programmes involving 80 delivery days and attended by 400 delegates from 6 major businesses across Europe and the USA. The case for taking your development programmes to Chamonix is unbeatable as the following notes and case studies demonstrate. Kodak, Unilever, Arriva, Altera, Tibbett & Britten and Boots teams and managers will attest to the power of Corporate Interventions' Chamonix Experience!

Cost-effective & Accessible

Chamonix hotels are 2/3's to ½ the price of UK hotels, like for like - and the food is always better. The longer the programme, the greater the savings. The hotel cost savings over a 2 night stay will generally cover low-cost easyjet flights and airport transfers (Geneva is 60 miles, 60 minutes away). EasyJet flies from Luton, Gatwick & Liverpool and the flight time is under 1.5 hours. From the southeast for example, it is easier to fly-drive and takes less time to get to Chamonix than to drive to the Lake District. Even a programme based in Geneva can easily take advantage of Chamonix on a day-trip basis.

Compelling - Innovative, Unique and Special

Chamonix is an awesome venue that can't fail to inspire. It's the birthplace of modern climbing and a Mecca for skiers, boarders, paragliders and mountain bikers of all standards. Chamonix is the place where sports-people, of all abilities, come to develop in their chosen sport. The town throbs with an encouraging and positive atmosphere as people stretch and challenge themselves - just what we want them to do in the corporate world. The mountain environment (and the peaks rise an impressive 2 miles above the town) inspires the two behaviours that we aim for whatever the development objectives of an event: reflection & commitment to action.This also means that we can build these sports into any programme, as appropriate, whatever the development context and however fit our clients are. We can give delegates choice as to what will challenge them and as always our ethos is Challenge By Choice and safety is a prime concern.

X-cultural & European Flavoured


We began working with the Kodak European IS community (Information Services) in March 1999. Although we began this stream of work in the UK, it quickly became apparent that words and deeds didn't match when we tried to deliver a programme themed around "effective pan-European team working" in English to a pan-European, multi-cultural, multi lingual group brought to England! After two successful UK programmes we nonetheless relocated the event to Chamonix and ran three well received programmes here in 2000 and two in 2001.

The European sales team of a leading microprocessor manufacturer followed the UK team to Chamonix to keep the programme in Europe (more below). There is no doubt that it creates a more level playing field when European based staff or teams of UK businesses do not have to travel to the UK for development programmes (even if the programme in Chamonix is conducted in English though we have used a variety of psychometric instruments - MBTI, Firo B for example - in French, Spanish and German. We can always line up translators too.

Kodak - X Factor Programme

To the above notes, I would add that holding the Kodak X Factor in Chamonix has substantially increased the proportion of non-UK participants and the programme overheads have been reduced significantly. The hotel charges - with wine and conference rooms - per delegate average £300 for 3 days. This is unbeatable value.

Leading Microprocessor Manufacturer

The UK and European sales teams wanted something really special outdoors that complimented work with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. We achieved this in two programmes in July and October in 2000. After a day together spent indoors and outside tackling a problem-solving scenario, the team were given a range of adventure choices and then went off in small groups for the last day to mountain bike, rock climb, ice climb or glacier trek.The team were in town for just under 48 hours but their experiences added huge value to a group whose members work from home offices and communicate with each other largely by email. Their intense, shared experiences in Chamonix greatly accelerated the team development process.

HPC Unilever Export

We worked with the Bristol based team of HPC Unilever Export in the UK in 1999. They came out to Chamonix for more development work in 2000 and 2001 to build on the success of our first project together and as thank you to the team for their continued success. In 2000, backed up with seamless logistics, the team spent a night in a 3 star hotel and a night on the town followed by accommodation and a meal of traditional French haute cuisine in a more secluded French Alpine Club house/hostel. A menu of exciting outdoor activities and an excursion up the Aiguilles du Midi cable car two miles above the town capped the programme that closed with revisiting current issues and team practices. The programme was constructed to examine 'stress' within the organisation and the best ways of channelling team effort. The outdoor elements of the programme were designed to take people outside of their 'comfort zones' in a team dependent environment. A highlight of the 2001 event was that the team raised £1000 for a charitable cause of their choice for its success in our stimulating "Chamonix Cash Challenge".

The client said, "the feedback from a thoroughly energised team has been extremely positive and sustainable benefits have been delivered". In 2003 we journeyed with this team on a 3 day canal boat expedition in South Wales!

Andy Lamont MD is a key sponsor of Barry Roberts’ Everest attempt.

Boots Contract Manufacturing (BCM) in association with Apter International


Throughout 1999-2002 Corporate Interventions worked closely with Apter International to bring 20 groups of senior managers from BCM to Chamonix and in neighbouring Courmayeur, Italy for a 5-day radical leadership programme. This initiative received industry acclaim and helped to reshape BCM’s culture.

Barry Callebaut UK

In June 2003 Simon Hardman, FD (and former Walkers Snack Food client) ask us to accelerate the development of a team responsible for “Project Columbus”, a major and crucial business transformation effort. We brought the team to Chamonix for a week the day after they left their “normal” jobs to work on the project full time. The timing couldn’t have been better to align this group to the organisation’s expectations, explore the dynamics of the group and equip them with a number of practical skills – influencing, communicating, negotiating and project management – that have fuelled their progress and success thus far. Simon Hardman and Barry Callebaut are key sponsors of Barry Roberts’ Everest attempt.

A Holiday Destination?

It would be naïve to not expect Chamonix to be classed by some people as a holiday destination and clients would be wise to be sensitive to this point. However, we believe the business benefits of operating out of Chamonix will speak for themselves.

Logistics & Technical Staff

A final note on logistics - don't be daunted by the organisational and administrative challenge of setting up a programme in Chamonix. We have the experience to handle all necessary arrangements for our clients.For adventurous pursuits in the Alps we employ internationally qualified mountain guides (as is the law in France). The guide's badge - and the sensitivity and group management skills that come part and parcel with their job - takes many years of training, experience and assessment to acquire.All the technical equipment required comes from our own stores of kit or is available for hire locally.

Next Steps?

Barry Roberts would be delighted to discuss the Chamonix option with you - please call or email.

A bientot!

Barry Roberts
Principle Consultant & Director
Corporate Interventions Ltd.
www.corporateinterventions.com
office@corporateinterventions.com

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