Unilever train with My Peak Potential

Unilever’s European Sustainability Training Platform team came together at the Carnegie Alpenrose last month. Arriving from all corners of Europe these senior managers took part in a two day leadership and teambuilding programme with My Peak Potential. They also used the Lodge’s superb facilities to hold their Sustainability Training Platform meeting.

Tony Dunnage, Sustainability Technology Platform Leader for Europe said;

“..an overall thanks for the two and a bit days - the experience surpassed my high expectations. You have a first class set up & team at the Alpenrose, up there with the best I've seen. The food, accommodation, activities and location were nothing short of superb, and perfect for what we wanted to achieve.

… it generated much interest which will see Unilever return to the Alpen Rose with a number of different teams. I myself would hope to bring the STP team back again, maybe next year.

There's a lot we can learn from the seamless teamwork from the My Peak Potential team.
…The leadership scenarios you have experienced could teach us some very important lessons.”

Stephen Fletcher, Engineering and technology Director for Unilever Europe also wrote;

“An incredible experience, in a fantastic environment, with a truly inspirational team. I will certainly come back with my team!”

Himalayan Expedition 09 arrive in Kathmandu

The Himalayan Expedition 09 team has arrived tired but enthusiastic in Kathmandu, Nepal over the weekend. A team of Leeds Metropolitan University staff and students are embarking on a three week expedition which is being led by the University’s Outdoor partners My Peak Potential Ltd. Expedition leader and Director of training for My Peak Potential, Dave Bunting MBE, worked closely with Leeds Met on a Military expedition to Everest’s West Ridge which he led in 2006. He and his deputy Richie Painting, arrived in Kathmandu on Weds last week as the advance party. One of the most important roles has been visiting the Charity which the Expedition team is helping; the Self Help Group for Cerebral Palsy. Here they met Bimal who is heading up the project they are helping with. They viewed the area that the team will be helping to clear and chatted about the project ahead.

Once the team arrives in Kathmandu they will settle into their hotel and then start work the following morning at the Self Help Group Centre. Here they will present the Group with a cheque raised by the team through a variety of fundraising projects over the last year. When given the news about the fundraising the team had done, Bimal said “I can't believe it !!! you made me cry .... I see blank but thankful eyes of our special children.. we will use best of this contribution.”

They will also be helping the Group with various building projects at the centre and meeting some of the children and families that use this valuable resource.
It is then onto the next stage, a trek to Everest Base Camp. Where they will experience the rarified air of this high altitude region and stunning scenery where they will be able to see some of the world’s largest mountains and meet the wonderful people that live in this harsh but beautiful place!
Please keep posted for the next installment!

Qualities of a good leader

One of the key aspects of the recent Graduate Trainee visit to Bavaria was identifying the qualities of a good leader. We were asked to identify the top five leadership qualities that we had observed in others, giving specific examples of when they had seen these in practice. The range of qualities identified was both comprehensive and enlightening, ranging from the ability to remain calm under pressure, to providing vision and direction to a team.









The tasks we were presented with provided ample opportunity to put these 'ideal' leadership skills to work. The protective environment of the Carnegie Alpenrose, alongside the fantastic support of the My Peak Potential team, provided the perfect backdrop for this. A key aim was to allow individuals the opportunity to reflect on how they might take what they had learned and observed back to their working environment. A highlight for me was the personal support shown across the group throughout each task or activity. As our students graduate this week they experience a different but equally poignant sense of community spirit. It was a privilege to be a part of this residential and I hope our graduating students will embrace many opportunities following receipt of their awards.

Paul TyrerHuman Resources

Leadership and Management Programme

In May I visited the beautiful Alpenrose facility in Bavaria. The trip was part of the Leadership and Management programme and proved to be an excellent finale to the group experience of the programme. The surroundings of Bavaria proved uplifting, with the striking Alpine scenes inspirational and each day presenting another aspect of natural beauty to wonder at. We were welcomed warmly by the staff of My Peak Potential, the University partner operating the Alpenrose facility and throughout the whole experience their friendly and gentle support proved invaluable in coaching us through fairly challenging tasks.

Though based in different areas of the University we soon formed a strong and supportive team, reducing the potential anxiety of the challenges of the experience greatly and it is this that must be the most important learning point of the trip for me. We all have tough jobs to do but with the considerate support of colleagues the burden is shared, the outcomes improved and the experience positive. The tasks we undertook all had a physical aspect and this made the excellent cooking of the chef Herbert Muller even more inviting, with his traditional dishes proving supremely wholesome and universally loved by the group!

Lawrence Bellamy - Faculty of Business and Law

Everest Fundraising Ball

My Peak Potential are currently involved in leading a team of students and staff on the journey of a lifetime to Everest Base camp.

Last weekend, the team hosted a fantastic fundraising ball at Leeds Elland Road stadium which was hailed a huge success rasing £15,000. The evening went without a hitch, save for the confusion of the compere's heads or tails game which saw a few bemused party goers standing around with their hands planted on their heads or holding their backsides wondering if they were still in the game.

Around 350 guests, including Leeds United goalkeeper Casper Ankergren, British mountaineer Alan Hinkes, GB Kayak canoe champion Claire O'Hara and Leeds Carnegie's Steve Nance and Andy Key turned up to support the expedition. They were greeted by a champagne reception before sitting down to a delicious four course meal.

Expedition leader Dave Bunting introduced the evening followed by a short film about the community project they are supporting, Self Help Group for Cerebral Palsy (SGCP ). Dave said "As well as improving levels of fitness for their trek to Everest Base Camp in October 2009, the team has to meet an immense challenge on the fundraising front to make this Expedition a success and to support the SGCP. The success of Saturday night brings us another step closer to achieving the team's objectives and we are looking forward to the next events to maintain this momentum."

Following the meal, the compere for the evening, Frank Hanson, came into his own and was auctioneer supreme, getting people to reach deep into their pockets for some great prizes such as a holiday for 6 in a Norwegian Log Cabin, a weekend sailing trip and a day with the GB bobsleigh team culminating in a run down the St Moritz course! However, the prize everyone had their eyes on though was a place on the team to Basecamp. This was snapped up quickly and for a handsome figure. The team is now one person stronger.

Winners in Bavaria

Last week saw a group of 19 students and staff, winners in the Leeds Metropolitan University Festival of Partnerships for Students, arrive at the Carnegie Alpenrose for a week of fun and personal development in the mountains. When they received the news that they were to fly out to Bavaria for a week of snow and sunshine, few of them really knew what to expect.

Many groups arrive here questioning themselves deeply, will I be fit enough; is it going to be scary; am I capable? Well, so far...everyone who has visited us on a teambuilding or leadership programme has accomplished the challenges on offer; some against all expectations of themselves. Our trainers are some of the most highly qualified and experienced outdoor specialists and safety remains their main focus; fun a close second! This is nicely expressed below by one of the students in the group.

From all your Gorge group, we wish we were in the Gorge every day. Not once did we feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Thank you for making our first day at the Alpenrose so great. Becki Griffiths

Although this programme was not essentially about learning new skills or teambuilding (these students came from many different faculties across the University) it was still designed to be a very powerful experience, benefitting the individual both personally and professionally.

Reasonably new to the industry myself, I have been blown away by the effects of outdoor activities on individuals. The achievements in getting yourself and your team mates down through the “Gorge experience” or of learning a new skill such as Nordic skiing are a huge boost to self confidence and self belief which in turn can boost creativity, problem solving and develop talent and potential. You are also bonding with people who are sharing the same experiences as you and in doing so you are learning to place trust and have confidence in others as well as yourself.

Experiencing something outside of your normal routine can also have huge psychological benefits and give you that nudge you need to realise dreams and aspirations that you thought were beyond your boundaries. Please see our “Be your Best“ web page for more benefits of outdoor activities.

“Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered you will never grow.”> Ronald E Osborn

This group arrived in the main as individuals but left as a group of friends who had shared some great experiences. There was a lot of laughter as well as a few tears of anticipation but I think the testimonials they left us sum up the end product......

“Had a brilliant time and would like to thank all the staff involved. I feel I have achieved something I would not have done otherwise, thanks" Karen Smith

“Thanks to everyone involved in making the last few days so amazing. I’ve never been on a trip like this but I definitely will be doing something like this again....” Chris Jones

“The time spent with My Peak Potential has been both exciting and exhilarating. The activities are so rewarding and the team leaders are some of the nicest people I have ever met. Thank you 4 the opportunity” Sam Dixon

My Peak Potential are going live

We have launched our brand new website http://www.my-peakpotential.com/. Same address; totally new informative, innovative and exciting content!

My Peak Potential specialise in Bespoke Leadership and Management Development. We are a team of ex-British Armed Forces experts in leadership and adventurous training, with our own alpine lodge accommodation in the Bavarian Alps. From here we are able to offer exclusive residential development programme’s as well as fantastic adventure holidays. Please see our new “Be your Best” page to find out more about the powerful, professional and personal benefits of outdoor adventure activities.
There are many new exciting features to the website, including video footage, blogs, competitions and plenty of stunning imagery of the lodge, mountains and various expeditions we have led and taken part in. We have also added an innovative new “Be Inspired” button; simply click on the button, fill in the quick and easy form and submit! One of our experts will then get in touch with suggestions for development programmes, academic courses, holidays and motivational presentations.
To celebrate the launch of our new website we are running a competition to find the team most worthy of a free three day training package for 6 people with us in the Bavarian Alps. This prize is worth £4,500. Simply go to competition box on the homepage and let us know in 100 words why your team would benefit from a development programme with My Peak Potential. Competition closes on the 30th May 2009
We hope you like the new look and enjoy spending time on our fabulous new website.
Please let us know how you find it by contacting us via the website.
Best wishes
Jo

Be Inspired, be your best!

Weather the economic storm with effective and transferable leadership training.
Bespoke outdoor leadership and management development programmes are a powerful and effective way to develop teams and managers, providing them with the necessary skills to cope with difficult times.


With the toughest recession for a generation upon us and more and more pressure being put on managers to run their teams more efficiently and effectively; strong leadership and solid teamwork are essential to a company’s survival.














Providing leadership and management training will enable your managers to respond to and withstand the changeable and competitive climate they are working in. The right development programme will make them more effective, help them deal with stress and enable them to increase productivity, allowing the company to reap the benefits in both the short and long term.
One of the most effective methods for ensuring that skills learnt on Management Development courses are transferable back into the workplace is to allow people to practise these skills first hand. The results are more powerful, longer lasting and deeper rooted than those learnt in a classroom. The Outdoors is a unique leaning environment providing more impact and credibility than the classroom with participants experiencing and reacting to the real thing.

Dave Bunting from My Peak Potential, formerly an adventurous training specialist with the British Army says “Adventurous training has long been used in the Military to develop leadership and enhance the performance of soldiers. Activities involving controlled exposure to risk are used to develop leadership & teamwork, build self confidence and enhance decision making; skills vital to operational performance."














My Peak Potential who specialise in outdoor leadership and management training recognise the need for value for money and so provide bespoke programmes that get straight to the heart of the problem, offering real solutions that produce powerful results.
The innovative and unique “Be Inspired” button on their new website can quickly and easily provide you with effective ideas for tailor-made training programmes. You just fill in the simple form with all the information necessary and one of their specialists will get in touch with you to offer suggestions and ideas about building a unique and powerful development programme for your company.

Businesses need strong leaders to inspire productive performance and communicate effectively - taking you through these uncertain times.

Effective management training in this climate is not a luxury, it is a necessity.

How long has training in the outdoors been in use?

Outdoor Development, by whatever name it has been known, has been used for many years to meet the training needs of organizations. In 1907 Baden-Powell founded the Scout Movement with the aim of getting young people out of the towns and into the fresh air in order to “Stiffen the slouching slum-dweller and sharpen the lazy schoolboy”. In 1940 Kurt Hahn founded Outward Bound after noting that older sailors more likely to survive sinking during WWII. He produced a programme that gave young sailors new experiences which helped them to realise and understand their own potential and limitations and improve survivability. At about the same time the War Office Selection Board used simple exercises in the outdoors to test, develop and appoint leaders in the Army which focused on leadership, team work and problem solving. From about the 1960’s onwards it gathered momentum and began to take shape and training using the outdoors is now commonplace throughout many organisations.

From http://www.my-peakpotential.com/

Teambuilding with self confidence

The last couple of weeks in October saw the Carnegie Alpenrose fully booked with three teams of guests arriving back to back. All three teams arrived with similar objectives to acheive. These included improved teamwork, better communication skills as well as building self confidence and belief as individuals.

Below is an extract of an e-mail sent to us from a member of one of these teams. This team were the winners of a UK outdoor challenge that was organised for the staff of Leeds Metropolitan University. Their prize was a three day course at My Peak Potential's Alpine training centre, the Carnegie Alpenrose. Here they took part in one of our teambuilding courses, consisting of mountain biking, hill walking and a ropes course in the stunning Ostertal gorge behind the lodge. Here is Joan Sheehan's account of her visit by way of a thank you letter to My Peak Potential and it's staff.

"The trip was truly amazing! I have never been a fan of going away with work colleagues, preferring to get on with my life outside work seperately. Malham I think was the first time I had been away voluntarily and was certainly an excellent experience only marred by the fact I was so tired and couldn't stay awake long enough to socialise in the evening.

I don't think I will ever understand my inclusion in the list of "winners", considering my physical problems I thought a few days in the Alps may be the death of me! I am so glad I was included though.

Of course, the weather helped to make the trip but I know we would have had a good time regardless. The "support crew" are fabulous people, so friendly and always with a smile even though they must have been shattered at times. The instructors, all so keen and yet patient when we had our "problems". I honestly didn't think you could possibly pitch the weekend to such a diverse bunch of people successfully but you did it and did it brilliantly. Everyone was included in all aspects of the weekend and I think it helped to bring us together socially in the evenings. Trust me, sitting around singing Bohemain Rhapsody with a group of people I didn't really know is something I never thought would happen!

The activities were amazing and yes, I enjoyed the gorge walking - well, I look back and know I enjoyed it, I'm not sure I felt it at the time. Being terrified of heights I never dreamt I would be doing these things and yet when faced with the task, yourself and your team just seem to instill a confidence that I didn't know I had. I don't think there was a point where I thought I couldn't do something (except the coaching at the edge of the cliff - you'll have to forgive me that one!). The cycling was brilliant and I so wanted to turn around and cycle back again. The walking was the one thing I was dreading and yet once again it was perfect!

Something strange happened this weekend. On Monday I went to the Rodelbahn, I didn't feel nervous even though others around me did, I climbed onto a chair lift and even took photos back down the hill. I came down with no brakes, laughing all the way. I'm sure I laughed so much I made myself sick! I then got on a plane and for the first time in my life I sat and read a paper through take-off rather than panicking and again during landing. I feel a confidence I haven't felt before... so thank you.

I know that if I ever get the chance to return I will be first in the queue ready to push myself even further."
Joan Sheehan - Principal Learning Officer - Leeds Metropolitan University