We Love to See You Smile
That’s
exactly what 75 people from the McDonald’s Corporation
did when they participated in a CRD Beach Retreat last
May. The two-day event was designed to give staff
members time to network with each other and build lasting
alliances between and within departments.
“The
retreat gave us the atmosphere to be creative and really
get to know one another,” said Brett Wyatt, coordinator
of the session. “The Beach Retreat was a very
positive experience that enabled our staff to work together
more effectively.”
For
several attendees, this was their first chance to meet
other staff members.
“We
had a restructuring last year, and as a result, we have
10 to 12 new people at all levels of the organization,”
said Wyatt. “Some of them hadn’t yet
met individuals in other locations, let alone established
effective working relationships with them.
“Now,
they have faces, and personal experiences to put with
those names, and that goes a long way in creating strong
working relationships,” he added.
On
the first day of the McDonald’s Beach Retreat, participants
focused on corporate leadership and management principals
applicable to the whole group. On day two, participants
split into individual work teams for 10 different departments.
In between, the retreat permitted time for golfing, boating,
bicycling, shopping and a host of other activities.
“During
the unstructured time is when most of the real interaction
took place,” said Wyatt. “Out on the
golf course or walking down the beach, people let their
hair down and enjolyed each others company. By the
time the second day rolled around, many had already established
improved relationships.”
The
result, he noted, set the stage for a more effective second
day.
“Each
department was able to work through its strengths and
help individuals see how what they do ties to the global
picture,” said Wyatt. “You could really
see people working together to accomplish common goals,
and that’s exactly what we had hoped would come
out of this experience.”
According
to Wyatt, “When you’re dealing with a group
this size, effective facilitation is vital. Diane
did an excellent job of facilitating the group and creating
an environment where people felt comfortable enough to
speak freely with their ideas.”
Contact Diane for information about
Beach Retreats
