At Ensto, our team is responsible for Group-wide HR, communications and accountability processes. We have only been working for a few months and some of us know each other better, others not so much.

One team member started six months ago and came into the middle of a remote company in a front office role, and has had to get to know people remotely. The team meets remotely once a month to go over strategic projects. 

Getting to know others is always important at work, and in a family business, staff and well-being are particularly valuable

It is really important that we know each other, whether we work remotely or meet physically. We have had very limited opportunities to get to know each other. As new people come in and the front-line staff change, the team is always re-forming. Especially when working remotely, it is good to get to know each other's working styles better. This way you can see how people perceive what their strengths were and what they like. In a family business, staff and staff well-being are particularly important. 

SmoothTeam immediately put me in a good mood

The SmoothTeam concept sounded really nice and interesting. In the simulation, team development is not done in a serious or traditional way. Even the preparation was fun and we were in a really good mood as soon as the event started. We discussed the work and the team's activities, but at the same time the simulation was a really fun and enjoyable couple of hours. This kind of simulation is perfect for all wellbeing and development projects! The simulation progressed gradually and kept interesting throughout. 

Long after the simulation was over, people were still in a good mood. It's really important what kind of mood you leave when you develop a team. 

The simulation gave the chaperone an understanding of the team's work and helped her in her own work

The simulation also taught me, as a chaperone, to see what things to keep in mind when leading this group. In a simulation, you quickly get to know people's natural styles. The simulation also helps in managing individuals. For example, it gives you an understanding of what kind of tasks you can assign to whom and what people are passionate about. 

I liked the comments during the simulation "I'm good at this, I could be used for something like this". It's great when people say that this would be easy for me and I've done this kind of thing. With this understanding you can also, for example, become aware of things that are not specific to anyone in the team.

A trip keeps you interested and helps you to group together

The story of the simulation is nicely constructed, and it keeps you interested. I don't think you can get a good two-hour flow with traditional yellow bricks, which is what we got here. Even after the simulation, the mood remained positive and I heard, for example, the comment "how nice it would be to go on a trip with this group!" So there was clearly good group bonding.

We get to know each other, our working styles and our strengths. We learn what we each want to contribute and what motivates us, and what is not so intrinsic to each of us.

A motivated and enthusiastic team succeeds and delivers the best value

I believe that when a team is motivated and excited, and team members are allowed to do what they feel they can do and are good at, the team brings the best value to the company. Our team's role is to support the success of the company's strategy. Our strategy is looking for growth, and when this team is on fire, we are best placed to support the delivery of our strategy.

One concrete outcome of the simulation was that we were able to take concrete responsibility for well-being at work and teamwork already during the simulation.

The simulation left a good collective feeling and would fit in anywhere

The simulation was a joyful journey together. Good vibes during and after the trip! Even after the simulation, everyone kept coming back to how much fun it was.

A SmoothTeam simulation can be used for anything, as long as you have a team that works together. I can also recommend it to global organisations. 

Kirsi-Marja Ura
SVP HR, Brand & Communications, Sustainability
Ensto