What’s the situation like in your team?
Mercedes: Our office in Butzbach brings together colleagues from across the region – the catchment area even extends as far as Stuttgart. Due to the large distances and the fact that we often travel to clients, we rarely see each other in the office and have little opportunity to get to know each other better. That’s why we decided to organize regular team activities.
Jens: We have already gone bowling, visited the Christmas market with our partners, and organize special lunches in the office, where we cook things like burgers or crêpes. Thanks to the diversity of our team members and their hobbies, we discovered that one of our colleagues lives on an alpaca farm and volunteers there in his free time. He told us about the calming animals and the possibility of hiking with them. It quickly became clear: we want to experience that! A trip to the alpacas and llamas was now on our list.
A walk with alpacas and llamas. What do animals have to do with slowing down?
Mercedes: Alpacas and llamas are not only adorable – they’re also true masters of empathy. They strive for harmony and are highly sensitive to people’s moods. Their behavior reflects our inner calm and helps us to think more consciously, reduce stress, and promote mindfulness. Their friendly and calm nature creates a relaxed atmosphere that encourages conversation and strengthens connection. You have to engage with the animals while still leading them. It’s all about focusing and letting go – in balance.
How did the day go?
Jens: After a busy morning at work, we all made our way to the alpaca farm near Worms. Even before we arrived, we caught a glimpse of the peaceful, expansive landscape and felt our first sense of calm. As soon as we got there, we were warmly welcomed by our colleague Felix Wustrack and began by getting to know the farm’s honey bees. We learned a lot of new things and placed our first orders for the next honey harvest.
Mercedes: And then we went to the alpacas and llamas. Each animal was introduced to us by name and character, and we got to choose which of the charming companions we wanted to walk with. There was definitely a sense of nervousness: which animal should I choose? Will it start running or just stand still? How will it react to me? What will my colleagues say about my “leadership skills”? These questions were running through our heads – just like when teams are newly formed for customer projects.
Jens: As the hike began, it quickly became clear that some animal-human combinations clicked immediately, while others needed time to adjust. During the “walk and talk,” there was overtaking, jostling, and sometimes pushing while eating – primarily by the animals. The animals pulled at the leash and we humans stumbled along behind them. Hiking partners changed constantly, and there were plenty of laughs. The animals decided who we talked to, and their calming presence – along with the alpaca farm’s peaceful surroundings – helped us clear our heads and recharge our batteries.
Mercedes: After the hike, we returned the animals with heavy hearts. The day ended with a tour of the farm and a cozy evening meal, where we had lively and humorous conversations in various groups. We left the farm feeling relaxed and with a great experience under our belts.
What will you take from the hike into your daily work?
Mercedes: Alpacas and llamas are more than just cute animals – they’re true team builders and stress relievers. Our joint outing to the alpaca farm strengthened our team spirit, improved our communication, and gave us a welcome break from the daily grind. We still talk with excitement about that day and the unforgettable experience. One thing is certain: this wasn’t our last visit to the farm.
Mercedes Klemme and Jens Lauer
Unser dynamisches Duo in Butzbach, spezialisiert auf Projektmanagement sowie Strategy & Business Consulting, ist stets mit unermüdlichem Engagement und einem klaren Fokus auf die Bedürfnisse unserer Kunden unterwegs. Mit Leidenschaft und Expertise setzen sie sich dafür ein, maßgeschneiderte Lösungen zu entwickeln, die den Erfolg unserer Kunden nachhaltig fördern. 🚀
Mercedes Klemme und Jens Lauer
Unser dynamisches Duo in Butzbach, spezialisiert auf Projektmanagement sowie Strategy & Business Consulting, ist stets mit unermüdlichem Engagement und einem klaren Fokus auf die Bedürfnisse unserer Kunden unterwegs. Mit Leidenschaft und Expertise setzen sie sich dafür ein, maßgeschneiderte Lösungen zu entwickeln, die den Erfolg unserer Kunden nachhaltig fördern. 🚀
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