One and a half hours drive from Colombo, on the Kurunegala Road in Thulhiriya, you come across the MAS Fabric Park which is where the MAS Institute of Management & Technology is situated.
The place is a massive area with a lot to offer. But on the last weekend of August, designated areas, within this huge land, were transformed in to areas where 12 teams had to go up against each other to be awarded as the winner of the Yes FM Corporate Challenge 2008.
Around 40 companies having registered for the challenge - an on-air component took place where a series of elementary questions were asked. It finally came down to 12 teams with four participants in a team with a mandatory female in the group.
The challenge started on Saturday August 30 with a 123km car rally to the MIMT base camp. It was a timed race, where the contestants were given a series of coded instructions which was supposed to eventually bring them to the camp through some remote areas.
Speaking to Shaq, the Channel Head for Yes FM, he said this was "similar to the Urban Challenge but with a different outcome." The Urban Challenge was held in various locations where certain tasks had to be performed whereas the Corporate Challenge had tasks held within one area, as Shaq puts it, "with the MIMT premises, we can do what we did in different areas, in one area." He went on to say that it's turned out to be a huge success," adding that they are planning to do this next year as well.
The tasks, handled by Borderlands, included canoeing, fire building, boat building, rock climbing, climbing an 85 foot giant ladder, abseiling and boat racing. The teams were marked on their performances on these tasks and even on punctuality.
The teams included CH Sharks, Hela 1 and Evolve from Christy Holding, Hela Clothing and HSBC, respectively. And from Dialog Broadband, Commercial Leasing and Commercial Factor the teams were Sharks, Untouchables and The B Team, respectively. While there were two teams from Unilever – Illuminati and ACID, from Millennium IT – Dare Devils and Warriors and SARS from MAS Intimates and Cheeky Monkeys from MAS Holdings.
Observing what was taking place, it was clear that as much as the teams were tiring out they also seemed to have a great time. Mihira Kulatunga and Pramodh Kahandaliyanege from Unilever's said "we decided to participate because we thought it would be something different, and it's lived up to that," Mihira added, "it has been a great experience to be part of full-fledged corporate activity where we were able to bond with other companies and meet some fantastic people." With their being two teams from this company, what Mihira and Pramodh said was that it was a good experience to bond with another department in their company, adding, "we were interacting with them for the first time."
Ayin Shah Jahan, Head of Youth Education and Corporate Training at MIMT said, that the corporate sector did not know about MIMT which is a corporate training centre, providing programmes including outbound training, for executives and workers from any company.
"This is our first marketing campaign toward the corporate crowd," Ayin said with regard to her coming up with the idea of the corporate challenge. Adding to this Mr. Chandan de Silva, CEO MIMT and CEO MAS Investments, said, "we feel we are ready to let people know that there is such a place."
The Yes FM Corporate Challenge at MIMIT was powered by Borderlands the adventure based partner for the programme. At the end of the weekend was the amazing prize which awaiting the winners – a week's adventure filled stay in Nepal where they will stay at an adventure resort at the Nepal – Tibet border!
Wade Campbell, Managing Director Borderlands Sri Lanka, said, "we wanted to make sure we are taking the right team on a trip of a lifetime." He went on to say that the teams have been great and that "they came looking squeaky clean," but after all the activities they have really worn themselves out.
Wade stressed on how they have seen fear, excitement, teamwork, a lot of support, having to face fear and overcoming that fear. "Your fear can be transferred to deal with a challenge," he said, going to add that an important lesson learnt "is the fear going to rule you, or are you going to manage the fear."
With regard to the grounds, he said, "The MIMT grounds is ideal," adding, "it's got the pond, the river, the rock – all making it an excellent infrastructure."
After a tiring weekend of activities which were not just physically, but mentally challenging too, the teams that came on top were, Warriors who won bronze along with a weekends stay at Amaya Reef and Acid who won silver, with a weekend at Amaya Hills along with MAS Active gift vouchers.
Hela 1won the gold along with a weekend at Amaya Lake and MAS Active gift vouchers and of course the adventure filled grand prize to Nepal, and they won with just over 10 points from the Silver.
Speaking to the leader of Hela 1, Dinesh Jayamanne, he said, "we never really dreamt about it so it was such an exciting moment!" His team members included, Dilshan Hossen who he considers the brain of the team, Ashanthi Gunawardene the heart of the team while he along with Suresh de Silva make up the eyes, arms and legs. And he says that having all these helped them work as a unit to win.
About the adventure to Nepal, "we are looking forward to the tough challenge," he said, adding that the bungee jump will be a great experience.
Having such programmes Dinesh feels, "helps you to be more disciplined, and helps you to concentrate and makes you understand the importance of prioritising," he says. He also said that unlike in an office environment, when you are on site having to deal with such challenges, it helps you work as a team. |
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