FORTUNE Magazineas the United States’ greatest team adventure for businesses, combines fitness, intelligence, teamwork, communication skills, and the ability to strategize under pressure. The event tests every part of the mind, body, and spirit. The Bechtel team competed against teams representing corporations across the United States.
The Bechtel team was recognized as Best First Year Team and Most Intellectual Team, and for the most innovative fundraising idea. Additionally, the team earned top honors for raising the most money for Memphis-based St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the nonprofit partner associated with the event. The Bechtel team, with support from employees worldwide, collected more than $56,000 in donations.
“Taking part in the U.S. Challenge gave our team and colleagues from around the world the opportunity to help St. Jude continue its work in finding cures for childhood cancer and treating 4900 children annually across the United States,” said Bechtel team member Erin Shaw. “Fundraising for this organization also added the incentive for us to perform well for the children. This was a great event for a truly great cause,” states Shaw.
In preparation for the event, team members sought the help of Andy Nichols; owner of Frederick-based TEAMLink, Inc. “Andy’s extensive knowledge, skills, and experiences with working in the outdoors, cultivating teamwork, and developing strategic problem solvers were instrumental in preparing us for this tough event,” said Scott Tracy-Inglis, Bechtel team captain.
Andy volunteered his time over a five-month period to work with the team members on a regular basis, measuring their fitness, tuning their skills, and helping them build a dynamic team. In the process, the team learned to adapt, and improve during the six stages of the event—moving them from 10th place on the opening stage to 1st place on the final stage.
“The time we spent training together paid off in such a big way,” said Nichols. “At our first meeting I had an opportunity to see their potential, and there was no doubt in my mind that they could accomplish anything they put their minds to.”
Reflecting Bechtel’s commitment to diversity, its U.S. Challenge team members came from a variety of locations, projects, and functions to form a powerful, successful unit. The team has been invited to compete in the 2006 World Team Challenge in Malta this December.
The Bechtel team was recognized as Best First Year Team and Most Intellectual Team, and for the most innovative fundraising idea. Additionally, the team earned top honors for raising the most money for Memphis-based St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the nonprofit partner associated with the event. The Bechtel team, with support from employees worldwide, collected more than $56,000 in donations.
“Taking part in the U.S. Challenge gave our team and colleagues from around the world the opportunity to help St. Jude continue its work in finding cures for childhood cancer and treating 4900 children annually across the United States,” said Bechtel team member Erin Shaw. “Fundraising for this organization also added the incentive for us to perform well for the children. This was a great event for a truly great cause,” states Shaw.
In preparation for the event, team members sought the help of Andy Nichols; owner of Frederick-based TEAMLink, Inc. “Andy’s extensive knowledge, skills, and experiences with working in the outdoors, cultivating teamwork, and developing strategic problem solvers were instrumental in preparing us for this tough event,” said Scott Tracy-Inglis, Bechtel team captain.
Andy volunteered his time over a five-month period to work with the team members on a regular basis, measuring their fitness, tuning their skills, and helping them build a dynamic team. In the process, the team learned to adapt, and improve during the six stages of the event—moving them from 10th place on the opening stage to 1st place on the final stage.
“The time we spent training together paid off in such a big way,” said Nichols. “At our first meeting I had an opportunity to see their potential, and there was no doubt in my mind that they could accomplish anything they put their minds to.”
Reflecting Bechtel’s commitment to diversity, its U.S. Challenge team members came from a variety of locations, projects, and functions to form a powerful, successful unit. The team has been invited to compete in the 2006 World Team Challenge in Malta this December.
