The Hong Kong institution that has helped corporate clients, the general public, schools and the underprivileged develop essential work-life skills since the 1970s, Outward Bound Hong Kong (OBHK) recently established a new corporate department. This department is specifically in charge of designing and executing tailor-made leadership and team development courses for corporate clients.
The team led by Philippa Cook, who previously worked for Outward Bound UK, will deliver bespoke programmes to help staff cultivate transferable skills that can be maximised in the workplace. She said, “Since I joined…we have made some far-reaching changes to the set up of the corporate team…our corporate instructor, Alex Lee, ensures each programme concentrates on achieving the set learning objectives and is of the highest standard .”
Cook said, “Courses are directed towards targeting particular industries and specific types of key employees.” She added, “Management and graduate trainees, especially, are at a crucial stage in their vocation where they need to learn new skills in order to progress and become successful in their careers. Outward Bound’s corporate courses offer them the opportunity to undergo fundamental development processes that help prepare them for positions of greater responsibility.”
Using contemporary theories of established leadership and team development models, and bringing them alive through real-life, challenging situations, these programmes bring about rapid improvements in staff—benefiting the whole organisation. The programmes also provide employers with the invaluable opportunity to see their staff’s true potential, build a stronger teamwork ethic and ultimately develop a highly motivated workforce.
Courses are typically three to five days, which can also be extended, to ensure they have the desired impact and to allow for a range of different adventures to take place. In addition to targeting specific learning objectives, the courses also aim to be exhilarating, unique and challenging—often resulting in a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Taking place at sea or on land, these journeys and expeditions remove the complexities, creature comforts and familiar surroundings of daily life—creating the perfect environment for participants to be immersed in all aspects of the programme. In this way, via total immersion, staff experiences are maximised, allowing them to embrace the opportunity to explore their full potential without distractions. Courses are carried out using the OBHK facilities, including four fully equipped ketches and the 67-foot sail training vessel Spirit of Outward Bound. A number of programmes are also run abroad in destinations including the Philippines and Taiwan.
Paul Arkwright
Publisher
