Sailing
Ocean power
Can companies harness the power of the waves to help improve their
performance? Dena Jeune investigates team development on the high seas
I
t doesn’t take long for the novice a shore-based workshop that lifts the progress on a dedicated website and the
on a racing yacht to realise that lid on business issues and personalities, after-race celebrations are great to help
they are an essential part of a with the chance to crew a racing yacht. generate this.
team, that there’s no place to hide Colleagues used to working together the 2010 Le tournoi, scheduled for
from their fellow crew members, within the hierarchical framework of a the last week of September, will feature
who, no matter what depth of experience formal office find themselves in the same 10 Clipper yachts and a smaller secondary
they have, are relying on you to learn fast boat – literally – but this time it’s not fleet of 41-foot yachts that will sail a course
and act when needed. necessarily the chief executive at the helm. taking in the Isle of Wight, Guernsey, Jersey
Sailing depends on teamwork and team ‘teams gain points by sailing past and a French port. Each Clipper yacht comes
spirit – when the going is good, people navigation marker buoys and headlands on with a skipper and two mates, providing
are easier to get on with, and consequently Jersey’s south coast and we encourage them scope for a mixture of novices and more
objectives are more easily achieved. It’s to rotate roles,’ explained Will, adding that experienced crew.
during the rough weather that the team a professional skipper and facilitator are on Both Andy and Le tournoi Vice-Chairman
truly shows its true colours. People have to board to observe and advise. John Hanley believe that sailing with
give more and work harder, but in spite of your colleagues really is the ultimate
everything, a small gesture, such as a cup of
Adventure on the high seas team-bonding exercise.
tea, can lift spirits and help drive the team on. team development courses might provide a ‘there’s no hierarchy,’ said John. ‘You
According to Will Carnegie, an RYA unique introduction to sailing, but for those are contained in an environment when you
Yachtmaster, around-the-world sailor who get bitten by the nautical bug, they have to perform, and if you don’t it has
and Director of Jersey Sailing, small gestures could take things further and sign up for the a negative impact on those around you.’
like this are just as effective in the business 2010 Le tournoi Sailing Challenge. this With two different sizes of yacht and
world as they are on a boat. established biannual event, combining a a mix of long legs, short legs and both day
‘In the workplace, it can also be someone corporate sporting challenge with fund- and night sailing, there’s a variety of options
asking a colleague if they need help with raising for charity, allows mixed-ability crews for businesses and other groups to join
a project, or time to go and pick up the to sail race legs of different lengths between the fun, which all takes place under the
children,’ he says. the UK, France and the Channel Islands. watchful eye of a professional race director.
Will believes that the parallels between Next year’s event will be particularly Firms can also take advantage of the chance
sailing and business continue, and feels that impressive, as the Le tournoi organisers to entertain clients with races and bay sails
time spent on the sea is an effective training have secured the use of the Clipper 68 fleet while the fleet is in port.
experience for team development. of round-the-world sailing yachts. But it is not only businesses that take
‘Good skippering is more leadership and ‘It will be brilliant,’ said Le tournoi Charity part. Fitting in with the Le tournoi ethos
management than technical ability,’ he says, Sports chairman Andy Le Seelleur, who of benefiting charity and community,
listing good communication, delegation and anticipates a strong demand from Jersey, groups such as the Jersey Deaf Children’s
motivation among the attributes – the same where there remains considerable goodwill Society have competed in previous races.
qualities you would expect to find in an office. for the Clipper concept following the the two men can testify to the
It’s no surprise that companies like Jersey island’s success in the Clipper round-the- challenges of sailing in adverse conditions,
Sailing take advantage of the island’s world races of previous years. Dubbing it a including crossing the busy shipping lanes
greatest natural resource. Jersey’s seas are ‘mini Clipper’, he suggests that Le tournoi of the English Channel, but both they and
a stunning cruising ground, with rugged could offer the same kind of experience. Will, who is offering a subsidised training
coastlines, strong currents and dramatic ‘It’s about the novice getting out on package for the 2010 Le tournoi, agree that
tidal movements, all of which offer plenty the water and being part of something there’s no better way to discover a team’s
to enjoy. Of course there are also the other adventurous.’ hidden depths than getting on the water. l
Uniquely Singapore, a
Channel Islands and the French coast. He is confident of strong interest from
Clipper 68 yacht, placed
Interestingly, Jersey Sailing tries to get Channel Island and UK businesses – and the
www.jerseysailing.com
seventh overall in the
under the skin of businesses by combining build up to the race, the chance to follow
www.letournoi.org
Clipper 07-08 Race
54
businesslife.je August/September 2009 August/September 2009
businesslife.je 55
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