Last Friday, 25 July 2025, our entire Techlam team came together for our annual team day, this year held at Makahika outdoor pursuit centre. This event plays a vital role in strengthening our “Laminated Teamwork” – one of our core values that drive us to deliver better outcomes for our customers.
We kicked off the day with arrivals at Makahika, where Managing Director Brett Hamilton welcomed the team. An early working lunch gave everyone a chance to catch up and prepare for what lay ahead.
The afternoon brought an adventure race that had us all working together in new ways. Teams of around eight people started by painting their team flags – a creative exercise that got everyone collaborating before we moved into the more physical activities. There’s something about working with paint and brushes that breaks down barriers and gets people talking and collaborating.
Once the flags were complete, teams received their maps and race packs. After some strategic planning (and perhaps a bit of friendly competition emerging), the race began. The organisers had designed activities that worked for all fitness levels and ages, which meant everyone could join in without feeling left out. Watching colleagues step outside their comfort zones and team up with people they don’t usually work with was quite rewarding! The race concluded with adjudicators tallying up the points, with the Fantastic 8 team claiming first place – though by that stage, most of us were more focused on the shared experience than the scores.
One of the day’s standout moments was Sally Duxfield‘s presentation. Her insights struck a chord with many of us, offering practical wisdom we can bring back to our daily work. Sally spoke about staying curious, tackling problems with fresh approaches and ensuring everyone feels recognised for their contributions. She also touched on something we don’t always discuss enough – the importance of kindness and checking in with our teammates. Her reminder that we rarely know what personal challenges others are facing resonated deeply and reinforced something we want to keep at the heart of how we work together.
We wrapped up with prizegiving and refreshments – a relaxed end to an active day! It gave us time to celebrate what we’d achieved together and reflect on the experiences we’d shared. People left feeling energised and reconnected with their colleagues.
Our annual team day represents a meaningful investment in our people. It helps us build stronger relationships across the organisation, refine how we work together, and ultimately enhance the quality and service we provide to our customers. We’ve learned that when our team is connected and engaged, we’re better positioned to deliver the results that matter.
