I recently found a copy of a documentary I produced almost 20 years ago, and I want to share it. I feel there are timeless messages in this 60-minute film, regarding leadership, work, culture, and team performance. (Ah, yes, I do look a bit younger!)

In 1996, I was asked by a long-time client to design, manage, and serve as the emcee of a three-and-a-half day retreat for his entire company of more than 400 people. The idea was to celebrate their first 10 years of business, so the focus was not on “bottom line” activities, but “top line” — as you will see. My client gave me carte blanche to do whatever I thought would honor their long journey to the pinnacle of industry success. He only asked that I produce an event of such impeccability that he could point to any and every aspect of the retreat and say to his people, “That’s the level of service and care we want to offer our customers from now on.”

I said Yes! before I even knew if it were possible to produce such a retreat in the four-month time frame he had given me. I wondered where I’d find a venue big enough to accommodate 400 people and all the activities I wanted to do. Plus, with people flying in from more than 30 cities around North America, I had to find a location close enough to a major airport for convenient connections and reliable surface transportation. What fun it was! (more…)