Benefits of the Team Building Programme for Companies
The modern work world requires competencies that most professionals are not equipped with. The ability to work together in a team is the need of the hour but this sounds easier than it is. Team members struggle to find their bearing. Most take years to begin thriving and contributing to their teams.
Benefits of the Team Building Programme for Companies
The modern work world requires competencies that most professionals are not equipped with. The ability to work together in a team is the need of the hour but this sounds easier than it is. Team members struggle to find their bearing. Most take years to begin thriving and contributing to their teams.
So what makes working in a team challenging?
The competencies required for teamwork cannot be acquired through traditional methods or by learning on the job. Traditional methods work when it comes to leadership styles like command and control - that focus on the individual and not on the whole team. Learning on the job is also not an answer as it not only takes too long - there is no guarantee the rest of the team is actually working together.
We are increasingly noticing companies looking for programmes that can increase mutual trust between team members, enhance their ability to work well in a team, communicate more effectively, solve problems consultatively, and work cooperatively towards a common goal. For lack of a better term, it is commonly referred to as team building.
Finding programmes that can satisfy these requirements in a real-life setting is not easy.
This is where the Team Building Programme designed by Indiahikes has proven to be highly effective. Let me take you through the programme so you get a glimpse of what we do and what the outcomes are.
It is a carefully designed immersive experience that happens over a 6-day trek in the Himalayas.
Since 2016 we have had several reputed companies from a diverse cross-section come on this program with us. We have seen that in a short span of time they they become a strongly bonded team.
A note of caution: This is not a light-hearted team outing. It is designed for bringing out collaborative leadership skills and behaviours in all participants.
How the Immersive Experience Works
Trek | Setting The Stage
In this specifically designed experiential learning program, participants embark on a trekking expedition, spread over 2 to 4 days. They trek together to reach a high point, usually a summit, and return down to the base camp safely. They do this in teams composed of 8 to 10 members, usually of diverse skills and abilities.
The design and facilitation of the trek experience nudges participants out of their comfort zones. It creates an environment for learning. Each day of the trek has a progressive change in terrain, altitude, temperature, and trekking hours. This keeps participants constantly on the learning edge.
Activities | Coming Together for Collaboration
On the trek, teams face adverse weather conditions, like snow or rain. They sometimes cook their own food, set up and unwind their campsites and navigate their way through mountain trails.
Each day is designed to be a little more challenging in terms of terrain, altitude, and specific team activities.
None of this is easy to do. Overcoming these challenges, day in and day out, as a team, tests and develops their skills of communication, cooperation and collaboration.
To sharpen the learning, the entire expedition is also broken down into carefully designed activities. Every activity has a specific takeaway. It requires every team member to work collaboratively every single hour of the program.
Reflections | Key to an immersive experience
Reflection sessions after each activity and at the end of each day form a crucial element. They enable teams to introspect on their learning each day. Guided by the facilitator they talk about all the activities of the day and discuss what worked and what did not.
During reflections, team members also address conflicts in a way that resolves them. Understanding of themselves and each other deepens. They also learn to seek and offer support. They strategize and plan for the next day, taking into account the learning so far.
Different programs that we have
1. Team Building for Companies | Open to all from the leadership team to the new joinees
We have special team building programs for companies that wish to have an exclusive program with specific outcomes.
Some may want a trek for the leadership team. Some may want to integrate new joinees into the company. Some want those who work remotely to come together and iron out rough edges they face in working as a team.
Depending on the constitution of the team, the number of days and the outcomes we design a program.
2. Collaborative Leadership for Individuals | Open to all working professionals
Most modern workplaces require you to have collaborative leadership skills. Top professionals are expected to collaborate, work across teams, gain trust with mutual respect among team members and collaborate with other stakeholders as well. Emotional intelligence and relationship-building skills have become central to a professional’s growth.
The interesting thing is that the world’s biggest organisations and leaders are veering more and more towards collaborative leadership. It is critical to an individual’s growth, and consequently, the organisation's growth. Earlier, collaborative leadership was expected only of the senior management. In the modern workforce, it is expected even at an entry-level.
A trek in the Himalayas, which is specifically designed for learning collaborative leadership skills, is an ideal setting for this program. In a short intense span of 4 days participants take away lessons of collaborative leadership that they can fall back on throughout their professional lives.
Treks that are most suitable for Company Team Building Programmes
The duration and difficulty of these treks make them conducive for a Team Building Programme. The trek fee will be worked out after considering the duration, arrangements required and the number of participants
6 days
.
Easy-Moderate | Level 1
Dayara Bugyal Trek
6 Days
.
Moderate | Level 3
Hampta Pass
6 Days
.
Easy-Moderate | Level 2
KEDARKANTHA
Dayara Bugyal Trek
The Most Beautifully Landscaped Meadow of our Country
6 days
Easy-Moderate | Level 1
Hampta Pass
One of the Most Dramatic Crossover Treks in the Himalayas
6 Days
Moderate | Level 3
KEDARKANTHA
One of the Finest Summit Climbs for Beginners
6 Days
Easy-Moderate | Level 2
Deoriatal Chandrashi...
The Best Summit Views Out Of All Treks
6 Days
Easy-Moderate | Level 3
BENOG TIBBA
An Ideal Introductory Trek to the Himalayas
2 Days
Easy
How the Immersive Experience Works
Setting The Stage
In this specifically designed experiential learning programme, participants plan and execute their own trekking expedition. The trekking expedition, spread over 2 to 4 days, requires them to reach a high point, usually a summit, and return down to the base camp safely. They do this in teams composed of 8 to 10 members, usually of diverse skills and abilities.
Designing the trek experience nudges participants out of their comfort zones. It creates an environment for learning. Each day of the trek has a progressive change in terrain, altitude, temperature, and trekking hours. This keeps participants constantly on the learning edge.
Coming Together for Collaboration
On the trek, teams face adverse weather conditions, like snow or rain. They cook their own food, set up and unwind their campsites and find their way through mountain trails.
Each day is designed to be a little more challenging in terms of terrain, altitude, and specific team activities.
None of this is easy to do. Overcoming these challenges, day in and day out, as a team, tests and develops their skills of collaborative leadership.
To sharpen the learning, the entire expedition is also broken down into carefully designed activities. Every activity has a specific takeaway. It requires every team member to work collaboratively every single hour of the programme.
Key to an immersive experience
Reflection sessions at the end of each day are crucial. They enable teams to introspect on their learning each day. Guided by the facilitator they talk about all the activities of the day and discuss what worked and what did not.
During reflections, team members also address conflicts in a way that resolves them. They strategize and plan for the next day, taking into account the learning so far.
Some questions you may have
As of now, we have four treks that lend themselves very well to the programme. They are Dayara Bugyal, Kedarkantha, Brahmatal and Ali-Bedni Bugyal treks. All four of them go up to an altitude of about 12,500 feet, cresting in a summit. The treks are spectacular as well as safe for young professionals and students who haven't trekked in the high altitude.
The fee is Rs 3000 more than the usual trek fee. This includes all expenses, per participant, from basecamp to basecamp. All other services, such as transport and stay before and after the programme, will be charged as actuals.
Inclusions
- Accommodation during the trek (camping – 3 per tent)
- All meals – vegetarian
- Trekking permits and forest camping charges
- Trekking equipment (tents, sleeping bags, ice axes, ropes, etc.)
- Safety equipment (first aid, medical kit, oxygen cylinders, stretchers, etc.)
- Services of an expert trek leader (qualified in basic/advanced mountaineering courses)
- Services of a support team (volunteers, guides, cooks, helpers, porters/mules)
- Expert facilitation team from Indiahikes
Exclusions
- Food during transit to and from the base camp.
On the trek there is no electricity and the mobile network is hardly available. The last point for charging your mobiles and cameras is usually at the base camp.
You will be camping in Hillman Expedition tents. These are custom-made all-weather tents that will be your shelter on the days of your trek.
These are spacious expedition dome tents that can accommodate three team members.
At Indiahikes, we have a robust system to prepare all participants before the Team Building Programme begins. We guide you step by step starting a month and a half before your trek. We get you ready in terms of fitness as well as gear.
Pre Trek Approximate Preparation Guide
Fitness: By the time participants leave for the trek they must be able to jog 5 km in 42 minutes.
Those with a BMI of 30 and above need to get it below 30 before the trek starts. Blood pressure readings need to be in the normal range as well.
Trek Gear: Participants will have to get all the gear they require well in advance. They can opt for renting gears to avoid spending too much on their first trek experience. However, renting gears must be done 30 days in advance as stocks don’t last.
Yes. We regularly announce Team Building Programmes on our website. If you would like to be contacted regarding this please fill in the inquiry form or send us an email to prathima@indiahikes.com and we will inform you about the same as well.
We usually run a Team Building Programmes when we have 20-30 participants interested in doing it. So do drop us a line and we will loop you in!
At Indiahikes, it is our firm conviction that trekking has the potential to bring about a transformative change in an individual's life. As a result, we devote significant resources towards curating exceptional experiences for our trekkers.
In line with our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our trekkers, we have a strict policy against smoking and alcohol consumption during the treks. It is imperative to note that smoking and alcohol can prove to be hazardous at high altitudes. Therefore, we expect all trekkers, including those who smoke, to abstain from these activities during the trek.
It is important to reiterate that any individual found smoking, drinking, or in possession of alcohol during the trek will be escorted back to the basecamp. This policy is non-negotiable, and we request all trekkers
This is an intensive multi-day programme with sharp objectives. It aims to bring in life-long transformations.
So consequences that you may face for not working cohesively as a team are tangible and not just simulated. It is important to note that this is markedly different from usual offsite experiences that may occur in a controlled environment. In this case, all participants will find themselves operating outside of their comfort zone, in an unfamiliar environment, without the safety net of a "bubble" that exists in typical offsites.
Due to its design and setting, the learning that working professionals gain from this experience stays with them for a lifetime. These bring out changes that bring about a lasting impact on personal and professional growth.
How We Keep All Participants Safe
Indiahikes Safety Mechanism
Outside the facilitators, their fellow members, our Trek Leaders play a pivotal role in keeping all participants safe on the trek. It is not easy to be a Trek Leader with Indiahikes. There is a long, stringent, and difficult selection process.
After this they undergo a rigorous 8 month induction and training programme before they are certified as Trek Leaders at Indiahikes. Only those Trek Leaders who are the best of our team are selected to lead the Himalayan Mountain Challenge.
All our Trek Leaders are certified mountaineers with a Basic Mountaineering Course or Advanced Mountaineering Course. Among them, the ones who are Wilderness First Responders (NOLS-certified) are assigned to lead all participants.
Apart from the Trek Leaders we have technical guides, trek guides, programme facilitators and assistants who accompany all team members of the Team Building Programme. All of them are given specialised training in handling emergency mountain situations. If a situation arises, anyone of our team members will be able to evacuate the team members to safety, even in the middle of the night.
Ultimately, even an expert team such as ours cannot keep all participants safe unless they follow stringent safety processes. These are processes that have been developed by us for over ten years. They have been put in place after considering every scenario and evaluating every risk of a trek.
Our risk assessment and management systems are extensive and deep, as you will discover when you sign up with us. There is a process for preparing team members, a process to monitor their health 3 times a day, a process for management of accidents, a process for managing altitude sickness, a process for evacuation. There are processes for even trekking and a separate process for difficult sections. Any potential risk is nipped in the bud.
Our extensive trek experience matters here. The trekking trails are not new to us. These trekking trails have been nurtured and developed by us for many years. We have our own base camps on these trails.
From the time the programme starts till it ends, safety of all team members is our responsibility.
On the trek, we have a staff-to-team member ratio of 1:10. This means for every 5 team members there is an Indiahikes staff monitoring them closely.
Most of the modern safety equipment used in the Indian trekking community has been introduced by us. This has fundamentally changed how trekking is done in our country.
In all of our treks, we carry a high-altitude medical kit, an evacuation kit, a technical kit, radio equipment, and oxygen cylinders (pulse oximeters and BP monitors are standard equipment carried by our Trek Leaders, including ropes and carabiners).
Team Building Programme in Pictures
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