Morale Building in Companies

The only difference between an overworked employee who is an unproductive and disruptive influence in your business and an overworked employee who is hyper productive is ... MORALE.
Lets be honest. Everyone is overworked in todays business environment. Those who feel good about their work situation significantly add to the bottom line. Those who don't aren't simply unproductive, they infect coworkers around them.
Companies seeking to maximize profits engage in morale building exercises regularly.

Will the 2010 Winter Olympics mean more business for adventure tour operators?

I'm repeatedly asked how the upcoming Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler will impact our business. While the perception is that companies like ours will be the ones to strike gold during the Games, we're not so sure this will be the case.

Fans of the Olympics who come to the region will be kept busy with attending events, and even more time-sapping, getting to and from their chosen events. Add to that the time taken getting into local restaurants and the myriad of cultural events and ceremonies ... I don't know what time will be left to interact with SuperNatural British Columbia.

At least they'll be able to see the odd bald eagle soaring high above the Sea to Sky Highway on their way to Whistler.

Five Steps to a Corporate Culture Shift

The definition of Corporate Culture is “the collective values, attitudes, and behaviors of the organization’s staff”. Common sense will tell you (and it is borne out by countless studies on the issue) that if your company suffers from low morale, profitability is significantly lower than it could be. Trust me, it’s costing you.

Quantifiable consequences include:

1. Absenteeism
2. Lack of productivity
3. Turnover
4. Poor customer service
5. Sabotage

Have you ever sat beside a coworker who is unhappy in their job? Like a contagious disease, poor morale will spread from individual to individual unless steps are taken to inoculate against it.

In order to eliminate negativity in a corporate culture it is necessary to improve the values attitudes and behaviors of the individuals within the organization. This can be done in five simple steps:

1. Assess the extent and major causes of the problem through a formal cultural assessment survey as well as through an informal interview process.
2. Management must set the tone and lead by example. Progressive managers treat all employees with honesty, respect and dignity. Employees will follow the example.
3. Improve communication. Verbal, written, email, body language communication etc. must be respectful in tone. It is never appropriate to yell, use sarcasm, to condescend, to discipline in front of others.
4. Review employee performance honestly and fairly. Praise whenever warranted. Reward superior performance.
5. Hold regular staff social activities and employee development in order to build trust, camaraderie and as a demonstration that the company values their contributions.

A culture shift requires time, resources, and commitment. The return on investment, however, is substantial.

The Medium Imprints the Message

Recently, the Vice President of Sales for a large paper company came to Canadian Outback with a problem.

A recent merger with another large company had doubled the size of the sales department as the two sales forces were amalgamated into one space. The staff from each organization were unfamiliar with each other, came from different corporate cultures, were trained in different systems, served overlapping sales territories, and required integration of job seniorities. The potential for problems were obvious. The issues ahead would require effective leadership, communication and facilitation to manage the change without undue disruption to the organization, and the VP knew he needed to provide an inspirational message.

The first step in the solution was to provide a trust building and bonding experience so that the sales staff could get to know one another. They chose a whitewater rafting trip on the Elaho River near Whistler, BC. About half way down, after a turbulent stretch of river, 60 account representatives in wetsuits and helmets clambered from the rafts, paddles in hand, and assembled on the sandy beach of an island. Eagles soared overhead and a misty waterfall tumbled from a distant glacier. Downstream the river calmed.

On the banks of the Elaho River the Vice President, dressed in his wetsuit like everyone else, delivered a powerful speech about working together in an exciting new department, using the turbulent waters already navigated and the calm waters ahead as a workplace analogy. The staff was permanently impacted. Euphoric at the end of the day, they returned to work ready to accept change.

Afterwards the VP told me that he could have gathered the group in the boardroom for the speech, but he didn’t think it would have been quite as memorable. It’s hard to disagree. It was then that I realized just how important the medium for the message can be.

James Corbett

Canadian Outback

Live stories worth telling...

Our unique suite of innovative corporate team building programs and group activities are available throughout Canada, the USA, and worldwide. Our series of outdoor adventures are available in Vancouver and Whistler. They are all designed and implemented with extraordinary attention to detail.

Are you looking for an economical solution to boost employee morale?

Do you need a great replacement for a more expensive incentive trip you had planned on doing this year, but now can't due to economic realities? Have you had to cancel an off-site meeting or drastically reduce travel costs, and now need a local event? Have you recently had to layoff some employees and need a morale booster for your remaining team? If you do, we are a great solution because we specialize in custom designing events anywhere you need that are a great match for your group, your needs, and your budget.

See our menu of innovative corporate team building events guaranteed to boost the morale of your team.

Effective, Memorable and Fun Education and Training for Business!

Have you found it challenging to find the right fit for your company’s educational and training needs? That is completely understandable as there is SO MUCH information out there to sift through. So congrats, you've discovered a great resource here at Corporate Explorer Training.

The best outdoor adventures in British Columbia!

Whether you’re a novice or an expert, at Canadian Outback Adventures we pride ourselves in being able to offer outdoor adventures to everyone. In fact, we enjoy introducing first time adventurers to new experiences. Our guides and hosts have the experience and background to offer instruction at all skill levels. Many discover Canadian Outback's adventures to be a safe, comfortable and an ideal way to learn a new activity.

Canadian Outback also provides adventures for corporations, youth groups, and social clubs. The possibilities are virtually endless. Clearly, adventure travel is no longer an exclusive undertaking, but an alternative accessible to all. Most of our participants discover a simple feeling of achievement: The exhilarating confidence gained from a new experience in the outback that remains long after the adventure ends. If this is the year for a new adventure experience, then a lifetime of adventure opportunities awaits you.

See our selection of exciting BC outdoor adventures in Whistler and Vancouver.