With an aim of enhancing team performance through experiential learning, the Don Bosco Tech Management organized an Outbound Training Program on March 10th -14th for the National office team at Jaladhama a backwater resort in Karnataka.
The objective of the program was to-
1. To focus, renew and upgrade.
2. Discussing the future things that will be planned and where the plan is heading to.
3. To look back at what has been done and what needs to be worked on.
4. The team to take the responsibility to reach the organization’s goal.
5. To iron out the issues between individuals, groups and departments.
The team who were stationed in different locations where the majority is from Delhi met at DBSM, Bangalore in the evening on the 9th of March 2021. The team was briefed about the next day’s plan and was interestingly been made as a surprise. At 7 Am on the 10th of March 2021, the team assembled and was ready to travel to the surprise venue.
37 team members participated in the program under the leadership of Fr. Joseph Elavanal, Director of Don Bosco Tech skill Mission Bangalore and Fr. George Mathew, Executive Director of Don Bosco Tech Society. The bus from DBSM, Bangalore started at 7:00 Am and reached Jaladhama resort at 11:00 Am.
Just 125 Km from Bangalore and 50Km from Mysore, Jaladhama is undoubtedly well equipped with modern amenities and facilities to cater to family, Corporates and Day outing is nothing less than a paradise on the earth literally. Tucked away amidst the backwaters of Cauvery, Jaladhama is surrounded by the unpolluted natural environment on the banks of Kaveri and Kapila River at Talakadu, T.Narsipura, Talakadu, Mysore district.
Starting from welcoming our team by helping in parking our vehicle to bidding us farewell, every little detail is taken care of by the experienced and courteous staff.
The Motorboat is always ready to ferry guests from the parking on the roadside to the resort proper. The 10-minute chugging on the backwater with scenic beauty all-around, skies dotted with bird formations, the chirping of birds and only nature for company, is the beginning of a memorable experience to come for the time we would be staying there.
Pleasure in reaching the resort by motorboat is a memorable experience. Appetizing multi-cuisine, high tea on the cruise, breakfast on the floating restaurant, mind-relaxing natural surroundings, rejuvenating water-sports, crystal-clear swimming pool, rain dance, discotheque, indoor and outdoor games, Trekking in the hills, air-conditioned accommodations, professional set-up for conferences and seminars etc., natural sound of blowing breeze and chirping of birds are the highlights.
On reaching the Resort the team was welcomed by the Staff of the resort and by (Retd) Colonel Amar Nihalani who is the resource person for the outbound training. He is a Corporate Facilitator at Quest Learning Institute. (Unit of Quest Adventures) He has held various positions of increasing responsibility at functional, directional and conceptual levels at Regimental, Command, Instructional, Staff and Foreign Assignments ( erstwhile USSR ). During this period have gained hands-on experience in General Administration, Personnel Management, Facilities and Crisis Management, Inter-Personal Relationship, Training of Personnel, Provision and Management of Material Resources and Services, Career Planning, Protocol, Land Management, Construction Works, Institutional/Personal Safety and Security. Presently doing Free Lance Outbound Training Programmes for Corporates/ Companies and Educational Institutes in Bangalore.
The 2 days of outbound training conducted by (Retd) Col, Amar Nihalani and 2 team members of Quest Adventures, gave an opportunity to the team to work closely with each other in the form of activities like games for enhancing team building, how to complete tasks, leadership and many more. Activities such as Iceberg, Human Knot, Magic bricks, Cross Road, Poachers escape, Mine Field, Contagion, Bridge building, Phoenix were carried out with laughter, fun and learnings. In the evening after the training, the team would go swimming, dancing in the discotheque, engaged in different sports activities like Volleyball, Badminton, Basketball. Activities like trekking, boating, rain dance were also arranged for the team.
The program came to a conclusion and it was time to exit the resort at 12:00 Pm on the12th of March 2021. Positive feedback was shared by the team on the overall experience of the program. The team was indeed very glad to experience the aesthetic greenery, the comfortable rooms, the elaborate buffet, various indoor and outdoor games and most importantly the bond with each other which will be cherished forever. It was a stress relief program that was required for effective and smooth operation.
The program continued at DBSM with a full day meeting which was convened by Fr. George Mathew. The agenda were:
1. Reviewing of the points discussed during the online National meeting during the lockdown.
2. 11 Provinces in India.
3. Don Bosco Networks in South Asia.
4. To clarify and know our roots and originality as there was a gap with the provinces. We need to gain the confidence to work closely.
5. To affiliate and administer all schools and colleges of Don Bosco with NSDC.
6. Pilot project- The implementation planning of the Employment Linked Skilled Development Project.
7. Feedback and suggestions by all the departments.
The day ended with songs and dances by the team and the trainees after dinner. It was a memorable 4 days program that will be engraved in the heart of each team member. This is a great takeaway for the organization and as an individual.
In the afternoon of 14th March, everyone was assembled on the campus to thank Fr. George Mathew and Fr. Joseph Elavanal by handing over to them gifts for the memorable Outbound Training. This was followed by a farewell to the Executive Director, staff and trainees of DBSM. A bus was arranged to drop the team at the airport to depart for their destination.