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
