The Roche team was enjoying appetizers, Christmas music, and beer tastings when we arrived at Black Circle Brewing Company in Indianapolis, IN, for a holiday Rescue Buddies™ workshop.
Spreading Cheer in Indianapolis, IN
We were in a private room that fostered seasonal cheer for the group’s Christmas party. Everyone had donned their holiday sweaters, and every place setting had a festive Christmas stocking. After a delicious Cuban lunch, talk turned to helping others in need this season, and how a Rescue Buddies™ workshop could do just that.
By assembling stuffed animals, our Rescue Buddies™ workshop participants enjoy a team building exercise while also developing their collaborative skills. Rescue Buddies™ are given to children in emergency situations to comfort them, often by first responders like police officers or emergency room staff; in this case, the stuffed animals were to be donated to the Ruth Lilly Women and Children’s Center.
Roche Diagnostics Gets a Custom Workshop
We gave a brief introduction to DiSC® personality profiles and the StrengthsFinders diagnostic tool that everyone recently completed. We wanted to help folks better understand common behavior styles. Our conversation included ways to utilize each other’s strengths in service to a common goal. Whether someone’s personality type is Dominant, Influence, Steadiness or Conscientiousness, each person has valuable talents that contribute to a team’s success. The 25 participants eagerly divided into five groups. They were motivated both by the chance to try out what they learned about themselves and others, and help local children.
Rescue Buddies™ for Ruth Lilly Women and Children’s Center
As teams played games and completed the challenges we issued, they earned Rescue Buddies™ supplies. One of the teams even pulled off a record-breaking 100 catches during the popular Flip Cup game! Everyone had a great time stuffing the animals. We were ready by the time Stephanie from the Ruth Lilly Women and Children’s Center arrived. She shared with the group how she used the Salvation Army shelter when she was young, and now she serves as a case manager there. She was so excited to bless the kids at the Ruth Lilly Women and Children’s Center with these toys! A few of the Roche team members were a little teary once it was time to hand over the Rescue Buddies™. They had a much better understanding that these comfort items were far more than just stuffed animals.
We ended the workshop on a happy note, taking lots of photos of the group and the visible proof of all their hard work. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive; Roche employees gained new insight into their work and working together, and also enjoyed the opportunity to help local children.