By Cultivate | November 16, 2021
In the last episode, we learn that Cash, VP of Sales, has doubts about how well Revenue Operations will work for Sirius Bond. Will Sam change his mind?
In this episode, the team is embarking on a team-building exercise which will reveal the true dynamics of the group to Sam.
We’re standing in the secret lair of the James Bond villain Dr. No, listening to a guide explain the escape room rules to our Revenue Operations team. Everyone looks intrigued except Cash, who seems more interested in picking invisible lint off his crisp button-down shirt.
The guide leans in and whispers, “You’ve been kidnapped by henchmen and taken to Dr. No’s dungeon, where he conducts his secret research. Your mission is to break free before he performs one of his dangerous experiments on you,” intones the guide.
“You have 60 minutes to escape. And by the way, everyone, please drop your phone in the basket by the door. They will be right there if there is an emergency.”
Every one does so one by one as they enter the room. Cash starts to, then notices a new text from one of his reps.
We’re all jolted when the guide slams the heavy oak door behind us.
“I doubt it’ll take us an hour to escape,” scoffs Cash. “Who wants to bet I can get us out of here in under 20 minutes?”
“Does that 20 minutes include your 10-minute monologue about how clever you are?”
quips Brandy.
Cash and Brandy exchange a quick sarcastic grin at each other and walk in opposite directions. They’ve worked together for many years, and have come to a place of mutual respect, despite the snarkiness between them.
I see the interaction, and redirect attention to the challenge at hand:
“All right then, secret agents, where should we start?”
“Let’s split up and see what we can find,” suggests Kay. Ken gives her the thumbs up and starts investigating the lab, while Sharon scrutinizes a framed oil painting on the wall, and I look for clues in the ceiling-high bookshelves. Justin methodically inspects every item, from the empty beaker on the lab table to the half-melted candles on a desk smothered with papers.
Meanwhile, Cash is leaning against the door, typing a text message. It is rather dark in the room, so I notice the glow of his phone. Kay sees this too and looks my way and frowns. I debate whether I should call him out on it. And decide to break his concentration and say, “Cash, I’d appreciate it, if you would put your phone away…in the basket please.”
“Oh great!” exclaims Brandy, her voice thick with sarcasm. “Cash is texting James Bond to get us out of here.”
Cash ignores Brandy’s snarky comment and drops his phone in the basket reluctantly. “Of course,” he says with a smile, which he turns off quickly and heads over to see what Justin is looking at on the wall. So does Kay.
I join Kay and Cash and try to get a look at the wall where Justin is tapping on the wall with his index finger. They are all significantly taller than me, so I nudge Kay’s arm lightly to signal that I would like to get in closer to see.
Suddenly, I hear Sean Connery’s voice in my head, “I’m Bond, James Bond. Have you found yourselves in a sticky situation? Allow me to help.”
I think to myself, I am going to start a jar of shame. Every time I think or say a pun related to adhesives; I will put $10 in the jar.
No doubt, I will have enough to take the team out for dinner before this escape room exercise is complete.
"What's more fun than a team bonding activity with a crew from an adhesives company?"
"There's no doubt that this escape room activity will make us a more cohesive team. We'll stick together like glue."