Race for the Prize: Green Incentive
August 19, 2008
National Grid's event gives a green tint to its
teambuilding
By Nathan Adkisson
You wouldn't expect to find human resources people, who tend to have more experience with personnel and promotions than physics, at a car-building competition.
But on June 24, 70 HR professionals from British power company National Grid gathered at the W Union Square Hotel in New York to construct and race miniature solar-powered and recycled vehicles.
The excursion was organized by New Jersey–based team-building firm Impact4Good. The company plans teambuilding that incorporates social responsibility through giving back to the community and the environment. "Each program attempts to achieve three additional goals," says Ira Almeas, president of Impact4Good. "We want to get across the content of the meeting, but also teach better communication, do a give-back and have fun."
The competition, named "Go Green Racing," called for teams of 10 to build two cars, one using solar power, and another using recycled materials.
"Tonight you are going to learn about the environment," said Jeff Flowers, a facilitator for Impact4Good. "We will talk about the environment you live in and the environment you work in, because environment is the number-one factor in job satisfaction."
The give-back part of the program is organized through Junior Achievement, an international, New York–based company that uses corporate donations to create workforce readiness in schools.
"The beneficiary this time is PS/MS 206 in Brooklyn, which is a great school we've been working with for a long time," said Doug Schallau, president of Junior Achievement. "It just worked out tonight that National Grid is an energy company and the program for the school is about alternative fuel."
The school will receive funds and training for a science curriculum based on the event. Brian Varga, director of US learning and corporate events for National Grid, says that when he had to decide what type of team-building event to do, the Impact4Good/Junior Achievement partnership made it the clear choice.
"We're committed to the environment," Varga says. "We've made a commitment to reducing our carbon emission by 80 percent by 2050. There is a real alignment with what they have to offer and our themes and corporate direction."
As with all Impact4Good events, the participant doesn't find out about the donation until the end of the night.
"We keep it a secret, and then do a reveal that money is going to the school," Almeas says. "It's this warm fuzzy at the end."
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