It’s been said that team building is the most important investment a company will make. When done correctly, it does more than build a stronger team – it builds trust, communication, collaboration and engagement levels – all of which are crucial for a company’s culture. Thus, with our core values centered on improving our culture and Team Member engagement – it is an investment we make happily.
And it is with that spirit that our Phoenix Ops Team scheduled a day at the Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course, bringing together both legacy Access and ASI acquired Team Members for a day of bonding outside of work. Members of the Transportation and Records Center Teams, along with General Manager Rich Alstedt and Supervisor Chris Nolan, tackled their fear of heights and other trepidations throughout an obstacle course divided into three sections by extreme zip lines.
Team Members (L to R): Sergio Breseño, Jamie Cruz, Daniel Ortiz, Chris Nolan, Archie Abad, Rich Alstedt, Mauricio Behena-Lopez, Laura Galvez, Rafael Mendez (background), Christian Borquez (foreground), Jose Ballesteros, Gilbert Gomez and David Perez (not pictured).
Usually dispersed among three buildings with high workloads, the Team Members had been unable to interact regularly. The obstacle course (and much-needed lunch break) gave the participants a chance to discover what the different Teams do and how they fit together to provide a seamless customer service experience. The outing also provided the opportunity for them to get to know each other better as individuals.
As the obstacles got progressively harder, the Team stuck together, uncovering the best approaches to each bridge, rope, rock wall and swing, and encouraging each other amid hesitations and doubts. And, at the risk of sounding “cheesy,” it is with that encouragement that the Phoenix Ops Team was able to conquer the biggest obstacle of all: strengthening as a team and forming a cohesive unit.
Team building events that take team members out of their normal routines, and slightly out of their comfort zones, are often the most successful. They encourage participants to bond more organically and to embrace each other’s abilities. Plus, they are often just more fun!
At Access, we couldn’t be more proud of our Phoenix branch, and what they accomplished while flying through the trees!