Mixing It Up in the Merlion City: Where NORDEN slings into Unity and Diversity
This article is for you, if you’re a team leader or an HR leader looking for your next corporate team-building event. We recently hosted NORDEN's managerial team, and we can do the same for your international work teams at Sentosa, one of Singapore's top destinations.
In today's dynamic business landscape, mergers and acquisitions are pretty common as companies strive for growth and market dominance. They bring together talented individuals from different corners of the world, each with their unique strengths and backgrounds. However, integrating teams from different cultures and backgrounds can be a complex challenge, and true magic happens when these diverse talents can come together as one cohesive team.
At NORDEN, a leading player in the maritime industry, the recent merger of two companies brought together employees from across the globe. To foster unity and collaboration among their diverse workforce, NORDEN activated our Beyond Expeditions team to help organize a memorable team bonding session in the vibrant city-state of Singapore.
Specifically, our Fort Serapong tour.
Read on to get a glimpse of what went down during this team-building event with one of Denmark’s oldest internationally operating shipping companies, and a sneak peek at what we have to offer you and your own work teams if you were to come onboard our Fort Serapong tour too!
Here’s a reel that will give you a quick glimpse of what went down for NORDEN’s team-building that day!
Before we continue, here’s what you should know about Fort Serapong.
Fort Serapong is a historical fortress, originally constructed by the British in 1879, which encompasses an elaborate network of military bunkers and underground passages. These facilities once housed formidable naval artillery, guarding Singapore's southern waters against pirates and enemy ships.
Today, Fort Serapong has been reclaimed by nature, with its structures intertwined with tree roots, its once-impregnable walls reduced to ruins, and its subterranean staircases succumbing to rust. The identity of the current occupants, whether human or otherwise, remains shrouded in mystery.
A Worldly Fusion of Cultures
NORDEN's team was truly international, with members hailing from various parts of the globe. They represented different cultures, languages, and work experiences. While this diversity was a tremendous asset, it also posed a big challenge: how do we now create a sense of unity among this eclectic group?
The Essence of Team Bonding
This specific team bonding session was designed to strengthen professional relationships and celebrate the richness of diversity within NORDEN, all while creating a fun and immersive experience of Singapore’s history. NORDEN’s team members engaged in a series of multi-sensory simulations; blindfolded, trekking in nature, piecing puzzles in a dimly lit space, racking their brains for a quiz about our past.
NORDEN’s team members were tasked to assume the role of a British soldier of the past and partake in engaging missions at each historic site. They had to work together, bringing in their problem-solving skills to decipher puzzles, decode intricate ciphers with their team, and even sharpen their observation skills to detect concealed clues along the journey. They also got to learn some wilderness survival skills that soldiers from the past had to rely on to ensure their own survival during the war!
The Power of Shared Experiences
As the team bonding session in Singapore drew to a close, something extraordinary happened. NORDEN's employees, who had previously been part of two distinct entities, were now leaning more towards being a united force. They had laughed together, explored together, and learned from one another. They had forged deeper bonds that transcended geographical boundaries and corporate structures.
And from here on, may this team trudge forth to create great impact together from wherever they are in the world.
When two companies merge, it's not just about aligning strategies and numbers; it's about building a shared culture and fostering strong interpersonal relationships. NORDEN, having recently undergone such a merger, understood the importance of forging a united team from its newly integrated employees.
So, the next time your organization faces a merger or simply wants to strengthen team bonds, consider taking a page from NORDEN's playbook and arrange a team-building session with our trainers. After all, the adventure of unity can begin anywhere in the world, and Singapore is a fantastic place to start.
Oh, and also; here are a couple of past experiences that you may find relevant to read about too!
We’ve hosted a corporate team-building session for 47 Timberland employees,
and if you’re looking to organise an event for your employees and their children, we’ve also hosted a 2D1N Survival Camp for fathers and sons from Victoria School.
ARTICLE WRITTEN BY: VALERIE
Valerie, a freelance writer with a quirky infatuation with steamed buns and slightly bizarre food combinations.
(“Try soft-boiled eggs and hot milo!”)
She wishes to keep writing stories that bypass typical food reviews and appreciation of scenery, stories that inspire readers to pursue curious conversations about the unique cultures and lifestyles of every country.
