Proctor and Gamble’s international marketing guru’s came together to share cutting edge ideas, and build a stronger team in Lyon, one of France’s most historic cities.  This group was truly international.  Sounds of Turkish, German, Polish, Spanish, Erdu and Russian hung in the air as the group participated in the Build-A-Bike Team Building Event.  The common language was English and the common sentiment was philanthropy and beauty.  Lyon is dappled with history, and is rich in culture.  Just a few blocks away, however, many neighborhoods are unfortunately rich in poverty.  Unemployment in some pockets of the city is more than 40%.  Yes, nearly half of its people in many neighborhoods have little to do but worry.

For parents of young children, it is a struggle just to put soup on the table.  So, while building a better team through teamwork exercises, Build-A-Bike^® brought Proctor and Gamble and Venissieux Restos du Coeur (a charitable organization) together.  The goal was to make the lives of some kids a whole lot better.  They need food for the tummy and food for the soul.  With a bike firmly in hand, these kids, and their families, were smiling for the first time in a while.  Parents thanked us profusely.  I even got my hand kissed by a couple of adorable eight-year-old boys.  Oh, the French have such classe.

This team’s director, Pawel Krzysztofik, said, “This event brought his team together and set them on a solid path of doing more for others.”  Connie Timpson/Sr. Instructor & Performance Coach/The Leader’s Institute