Rowing Together: Hobsons invites author Arshay Cooper to Sales Kick-off

13.01.21

In October 2020, working at home full-time in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, Hobsons hosted their annual sales kick-off virtually. Over 100 staff attended across four days.

Designed to be an encouraging, engaging experience, the team worked to produce an event that would motivate the sales team and reconnect them with their values during difficult circumstances.

The theme was 'Winning Crew,' taking rowing as an example of the ultimate teamwork sport, and defining success through collaboration. To compliment this, Hobsons invited Arshay Cooper, author of 'A Most Beautiful Thing,' to be the keynote speaker. The book tells the true story of America's first all-black high school rowing team and the challenges they faced.

Arshay's book was sent out as part of a crew-themed gift box to every member of Hobsons' sales organisation. During his keynote speech, Arshay emphasised the importance of teamwork as a rower, and encouraged team members to connect with each other through their vision for the schools and communities they were supporting. 'Leave the boat house better than you found it.'

Sales Enablement Manager Maggie Cox wrote: 'Our virtual kick-off experience needed to creatively engage, motivate, and enhance the skills of our sales organisation during these unprecedented times. We chose to anchor around the theme of crew, with us being in a boat together with our clients. If we're rowing better together, we help our clients drive a positive impact on their students.'

One attendee commented: 'at the end of the week I didn't just feel like a better sales rep - I felt like a better person.'

It was the highest-rated sales virtual kick-off Hobsons had hosted during the past four years, and a positive example of galvanising employees despite difficult circumstances.