Pharmaceutical Co. Program Example

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A pharmaceutical company was bringing together their newly formed 18-person sales team for a five day retreat to develop trust, build rapport and strategize for the coming year. The sales manager wanted a retreat in an exclusive lodge where they wouldn't be disturbed by other guests. To start the retreat, he wanted to have an outdoor adventure that would completely wow them. We chose a remote mountain lodge in the Canadian Rockies and took them on a spectacular heli-hiking adventure.

After greeting them at the airport, we drove them to Mt. Engadine Lodge near the continental divide of the Canadian Rockies. We had booked the lodge exclusively for our guests so they would have privacy and minimal disturbance. The drive there goes through spectacular scenery, ever deeper into the mountains.

In the evening, our professional mountain guides arrived and oriented the participants on what to expect the next day on our outdoor adventure. Since we were planning to walk on a glacier, the guides brought along the necessary equipment. Crampons to walk on the ice, harnesses and ropes for safety and appropriate boots for the terrain. The anticipation was mounting.

The next morning we got an early start and made our way to the heli-pad. The helicopter settled in beside the waiting group, blasting them with a downdraft of crisp mountain air. The view from the helicopter is spectacular. A couple of heli-shuttles later and everyone was at our gathering point in the high alpine of the continental divide.

After a short orientation, we began our walk across limestone tablelands  and past picturesque waterfalls towards the "Wizard's Hat" in the distance where one of the guides was waiting with our lunch.

After lunch, we started the main challenge of the day, hiking up the glacier behind our lunch spot. We started by hiking across the glacial rubble at the toe of the glacier. When we reached the glacier, the guides roped everyone together with their harnesses and attached the crampons to everyone's boots. Once on the glacier, it suddenly hit everyone how tiny they were in this vast landscape. The glacial landscape and the obstacles it contained provided a lot of metaphors for the new territory the company was exploring in its business.

At the end of an exhilarating and challenging day, the whole crew made it back down in time to get on the helicopter for the shuttle back to the lodge.

In the evening we debriefed the day and distilled the learning in a "Capture The Learning" session.

Then the true work of the retreat was about to begin. The group spent the next 3 days in closed-door meetings in their exclusive mountain paradise. Sessions on the veranda in the mountain sun, discussions over gourmet meals and relaxation in the hot tub under the stars all contributed to the success of the retreat. The local wildlife even participated when a moose and her calf decided to show up.

The last night included one of our special "Mountain Quest Interactive Dinners" that we planned with the chef. The group dons chef's hats and aprons and helps the chef in creating a delicious appetizer while learning new cooking techniques and recipes. Our hallmark is the use of authentic local produce and cuisine. Air dried buffalo, Alberta corn, locally grown herbs and vegetables in season and Alberta beef all contributed to the authenticity of the meal.

At the end of their retreat they were energized, happy, motivated and ready to work together as a cohesive team.