On April 15, 2016, PINNACLE REAL ESTATE AND CONSULTING SERVICES, INC. conducted a Teambuilding Conference entitled “UNLEASHING THE GIANT WITHIN” held at Hardin ni Tita Private Resort, Purok 1, Barangay Sucol, Calamba, Laguna. Aside from fostering good working relationships between employees across all departments, the objective of this activity was to establish a positive team culture while cultivating shared goals and vision.
Mr. Mark Conrad M. Del Rosario, the Director of Investments & Corporate Sales, opened the event with an inspiring anecdote about a diverse group of ordinary people who did not let their differences dissuade them from achieving an extraordinary goal: to become a dominant player in a field of giants. The participants understood that a synergistic approach to reach a common objective could make impossibilities possible.
Enna C. Cue, the Human Resource Manager, maintained the continuity of the message by revisiting the Company's Mission, Vision and Core Values. The purpose of which was to re-orient the participants of the Company's identity as an organization, highlighting on the impact that each employee makes, regardless of position, in defining who and what Pinnacle truly is. Moreover, Michael R. Mabutol, the Managing Director shared his invaluable insights as newly-implemented policies were discussed and general rules and regulations were established.
The teambuilding exercises ensued. The 52 participants were divided into 4 teams (blue, red, green and yellow bandanas were handed out for identification) who were to compete against each other in 4 major tasks within a set time. Each group was comprised of 13 members. Each accomplished task will earn them "stars" that would be stapled to their flag. Each team was held responsible for the safekeeping of their flag as the other teams could rob them off their stars if they are not careful. The first task was for each group to come up with a design for their "coat of arms" or logo that would distinctly define their identity as a team. Each group was given a flag with a blank canvass on which they would draw their design. To complete the task, their communication and organizing skills were further challenged as they were asked to deliver a unified cheer that featured their team's distinctive qualities. The time allotted for this task was only 15 minutes.
The second task was to have all the teams go around a landmark with one leg tied to the leg of another teammate. The goal was to come up with a strategy involving synchronized movement and timing without breaking ranks or causing injury to a team member. All groups were able to beat the 15-minute time limit.
The third task required for all teams to line up in the swimming pool. All team members were blindfolded except for the person at the end of the queue. The objective was to collect the stars strewn within the pool while following directional orders from the group's "single eye". Only the first person in the queue was allowed to collect the stars. The challenge was that they were only allowed to use nonverbal communication as they relayed "the eye's" orders to the "collector". Consequently, all groups came up with an effective means to communicate using their hands (e.g. single tap on the right shoulder of the person in front would mean "right turn".) Nobody moved until the message was relayed to the sightless collectors who maneuvered their way through the pool. The set time was 30 minutes.
The last task involved 4 intricately designed "spider webs" made out of straw tied securely in place into bamboo poles. The rule was to have all groups figure out a way for each of their team members to pass through their respective "spider webs" without anybody from the group touching the web. They were required to start all over again if they violated this rule. As a result, the teams came up with careful yet creative strategies as they literally carried the weight of each member across the lines. Some groups started all over again more than 5 times. In spite of the physical and mental exhaustion, all were able to beat the 1 hour time limit.
A debriefing session facilitated by Enna C. Cue concluded the whole event. A representative for each group was given an opportunity to share the group's experience and the insights that were formed as they worked together through each task.
Kristoffer N. Ordonez represented the Red Team. He emphasized that for someone who is used to working alone in the field, the opportunity to bond while accomplishing teambuilding tasks with co-workers reminded him that he was an integral part of a whole. He further stressed that this mindset could be translated into the workplace. He ended his speech with a call to action: By doing your job well, you help your team and ultimately contribute to the Company. Edward V. Bangad from the Blue Team shared that his team realized the importance of carefully considering each idea prior to execution. He admitted that they experienced a degree of frustration when a desired output did not materialize during the course of the activities. However, he emphasized on the value of trust within the team. Villamor B. Valencia from the Yellow Team echoed that although at times their team missed the mark, each member's commitment to give their best effort toward the end was very important. Lastly, Ben Andres Lloyd L. Gregorio, the Green Team's representative summed up his group's realizations in one sentence: "Kahit gaano kayo kagaling, kung walang unity at cooperation sa grupo, wala ring mararating." (No matter how clever each person in the group is, if there is no unity and cooperation among the members, success would not be possible.)
The group who collected the most number of stars was the Blue Team, followed closely by the Red Team. The Green Team finished third while the Yellow Team (who finished the spider web challenge with their dignity intact), finished last. The Managing Director closed the event by acknowledging the participants and facilitators of the Teambuilding Conference. Furthermore, he gave emphasis to the relevance of every department within the Company, mentioning their respective functions and how these functions impact Pinnacle's overall performance. He encouraged the people to "go the extra mile" for Pinnacle in order to make its mission and vision a reality.
