Awana Genting Highlands, 9 & 10 April 2010.

40 management and staff team from SEGI Education Group came together for a Leadership & Team Building Programme with the theme, "The Power of Teamwork" at Awana Genting Highlands.

The event started in the morning from SEGI Subang to Awana Genting Highlands where they spent a night in the traditional-styled Sarawak Longhouse. It facilities were were clean, comfortable and functional. Food and service were excellent. It's 5-star luxury living close to nature!

Immediately after checking into the Longhouse, they started off with realising the most basic but yet a vital component for company's growth guided by its Vision & Mission to be the leading educational institution with global emphasis by empowering learners relevant to industry needs. Driven by a set of core values required by each individual employee, a "Giraffe" drawing exercise proofed that Team Synergy is necessary to pave the way.

After lunch they proceed for the 1.8 km Jungle Trekking. A short relaxing trial to warm up for the outdoor programme ended at the golf course for the first internal friendly competition. After a short 10 mins basic coaching session, the teams got more than 80 balls crossed 50 yards! Not bad at all for first timers. The exercise shows Individual Contribution is important when embarking into an unfamiliar territory.

BBQ dinner by the campfire set the stage in the evening for the second team game challenge - Entrapment, a series of different challenges, the Chain Gang, Poison River and Time Bomb where the teams compete to reach to finish line by tackling one obstacle at a time. This exercise requires Forward Planning, Time Management, Adaptability and Efficient Communication Skills. 8 Crap Traps shows how communication breakdown can easily happen. Another important element in building an effective team is Trust. The teams show their support and trust by putting themselves into the Circle of Trust.

On the second day, Ms Helena inspired everyone with her Motivation Talk after a sumptuous breakfast. She stressed that joy begins at home and a happy person produce better quality work performance. After the talk, the teams proceed to the third team challenge. In the Explorace, teams were allocated RM22.20 to shop for 5 items in Gohtong Jaya Town. One of the compulsory item that they must purchase with their Budget is to find and hand-pick the biggest strawberry. None of the teams bought "Hope" that we specifically looking for.

Continuing their mission, the teams proceed to the final destination at Tanah Aina Fareena orchard in Lentang. Lunch was served before the teams attempt the final challenge. Exploraquest - to solve given set of quizzes based on knowledge of fruit plants. A lesson to remind us not to take things for granted. Get to the Source! Teams are required to produce the evidence to substantiate their claims. For the benefits of our readers, no fruit trees were harm in the process...

Well done Team Yellow for achieving the Overall Team Winner title. Nevertheless, for the rest of the team members, participating in this Leadership Programme already made them a winner!