Bigger in Texas

“There’s a vastness here and I believe that the people who are born here breathe that vastness into their soul. They dream big dreams and think big thoughts, because there is nothing to hem them in.”
– Conrad Hilton

Today we’re still basking in the glow of our annual National Sales Meeting, which just concluded in San Antonio, Texas, where about 40 of us –  Advantage partners, team members, and thought leaders – gathered from around the U.S. (and one from as far away as Europe) to strengthen our ties, our organization, and our ability to better serve you.

We learned about a new platform we’re implementing to help our partners tailor our vast and growing library of resources, solutions, and messaging to the needs of their current and future clients.

We caught up with thought leaders to hear about the latest and greatest advances in their best-in-class learning experiences that we can’t wait to share with you.

And we grew as a team while we reflected, played, dined, and celebrated the work we get to do together and the possibilities ahead.

On the final half day, our bags packed and our airline boarding passes ready on our phones, we experienced firsthand a team-building simulation called Pumping the Colors from our friends at Simulation Training Systems. It helps participants learn 7 best practices of high-performing teams as they figure out how to complete on a tight deadline what seems to be a near-impossible task.

In an abbreviated version of just 3 hours, our two teams successfully managed to build a “fluid delivery system” (literally “pumping the colors”) from a box of PVC pipes, tubing, valves, and connectors, and get a fictional customer to operate it by turning just the right valves that would correctly deliver red, yellow, or blue water to one of 12 possible locations without any leaks or mixing of the colors.

It’s one of the classic, early business simulations by the late Garry Shirts, who recognized decades ago the value of learning by experience. It was challenging, a little stressful, and lots of fun.

They say everything’s bigger in Texas. That would include our own big thoughts and big dreams to do work that matters as we continue to help organizations like yours develop great people.

Contact us or talk to your Advantage partner to hear more about what we did in Texas, what’s new with our thought leaders, and what’s in store for the rest of 2024 at Advantage Performance Group.

One great thing for 03.12.24 – NASA’s Eclipse Explorer – On Monday, April 8, a total solar eclipse will make its way across the U.S. from western Texas to northern Maine. NASA has a tool to help you know exactly when and where, including its start time, duration, and the expected weather conditions by zip code.  And here’s a related TED Talk: You owe it to yourself to experience a total solar eclipse