Connection and Collaboration at Schoenen Torfs Purchasing Team
On a sunny day in Dendermonde, the purchasing team of Shoes Torfs a full day at CASA CAVA. A diverse team of 13 people, consisting of introverted buyers, extroverted creative types and a dynamic merchandising team – ranging from young to old.
The retail chain has been voted 'Best Retailer' for the 10th time in a rowGreat place to work'. The best employer in Belgium. Their corporate culture is top notch, with a constant investment of growth in their people. This collaboration is just one of the many pillars that Schoenen Torfs focuses on.
We are very proud that we can help complete the puzzle with mossels from brossels.
In this article
It all starts with preparation
Exploratory conversations
Before we proposed a good program, it was very important to look at the challenges with team manager Luc and HR manager Kim.
In this first phase we gain a better insight into possible difficulties the team is facing, what experience the team already has and how the team dynamics are going.
These short conversations are crucial to create a good program tailored to the group. Then we present the program in a short follow-up moment. In this way, everyone is on board with the methods used.
Goals for the team?
- Connecting the islands more strongly for a closer and more effective team
- Examining collaboration in an accessible way
- Exposing patterns in a safe way
- Lots of exercise and active day
- Have fun and laugh a lot 🙂
Check-in, warm-up, set-up
Warm up quietly with a coffee and check in. This way we ensure that everyone is present both physically and mentally. You don't run a marathon without training, do you?
The program is full of small exercises to relax body and mind. And each time there is a link with creativity and cooperation.
Energizers to loosen the body and mind
When the scope is clear, the body and mind must follow. With a low-threshold exercise, related to the rest of the day, you warm up the brain and put the team to work for the first time.
Here we use the exercise 'Blind Square', where you blindfoldedly create a perfect square by working together. Happy with the result? Take off that blindfold. Hopefully you're not in the bushes 😉
Easily examine collaboration
15 theses
We give the Torfs purchasing team 15 statements about collaboration. The team members get 30 seconds to stand in the room and let each other know how they score on it.
"Wouldn't we score differently if we could do this anonymously?"
Of course, this information reveals a lot about how much trust there is between them. After the game, the team gets a score for their cooperation and we discuss learning points. We create actions and determine steps that need to be taken.
Naming and pronouncing actions
What do we take with us to our own team? What steps are we going to take in the future? Identifying concrete actions is crucial to ensure progress.
Flexible continuation of the day
Depending on the outcome of the discussions, we will work out a flexible follow-up. This is based on Lencioni's model of the 5 frustrations of teamwork: trust, feedback, involvement, responsibility and results.
Together we decide to work on trust and get to know each other even better.
Fun exercises to get to know each other better.
With a variation of energizers by "crawl over the ladder together“, to a Cluedo game in which we guess who the murderer is, with what murder weapon and with what motive.
In this way, team members learn to know each other's strengths and weaknesses in a fun way. What drives you in your job? Without a doubt an important question to increase trust in each other.
Apply the learnings in a fun activity
Hungry stomachs are satisfied with a delicious drink.
Now it is time to apply the learnings in an active activity. Here a highland games fits perfectly in the picture. Which team will be King of Scotland?
