Alfaloc Convention 2021
The Pace of Transformation
“Recovery. Adaptation. Humanization. Action”
This was the motto for the return of the Alfaloc Convention, safely, at the Xarlie Beer Factory, in Leiria, on October 16th, with a new context, new challenges and new opportunities. To travel to the event, all employees took covid tests, which allowed even more tranquility.
As the most important employee contact event of the year, this was a long-awaited return. On the one hand, employees had the opportunity to see their colleagues physically after two years, with the same nostalgia as those who return to dinners with friends. On the other hand, curiosity was great for the 25% of new employees who have joined the Alfaloc team since the beginning of the pandemic. In addition, another element that made this convention special was the possibility of bringing together the teams from Portugal and Spain. “Right next door”, as the collaborators from Spain would say, the difficulties faced during this period were very similar to those of their Portuguese colleagues.
The day began with the approach of the Alfaloc Managing Director, João Pascoal, who reflected on the challenges we faced, how we adapted and what, together, we will achieve in the near future. Then, a team dynamic, in small, more intimate groups, provided the opportunity to address various subjects:
- Firstly, the new Sonyc service, which brings even more benefits to the Alfaloc customer, has emerged as an exciting novelty;
- In addition, the importance of Mental Health gained a special focus, with the presentation of the new Alfaloc program in this area, called “Le.ve”;
- On the other hand, the BoxChallenge, a competition challenge that tested the ability to pack fragile products, such as wine bottles, proved to be an activity that, while providing learning, guaranteed a lot of fun;
- To top it off, the Xarlie moment, dedicated to the beer creation process, included a tasting that pleased everyone.
A very extended lunch period was widely valued, as it allowed colleagues to catch up. This period, in turn, was animated by the music and humor of the artists Leandro and Nenuco. In addition, the “Hélder’s Games” – a set of activities reminiscent of traditional Portuguese games – brought great interaction, fun and almost comical moments, stimulating creativity and the spirit of team building.
In the afternoon, in the “Conversations at the Center”, there was space for employees to individually share the obstacles faced during a sudden confinement that distanced them from colleagues and customers: the difficulties encountered, the strategies used to overcome them and the changes and learnings that emerged after this experience.
Finally, the “Restarter” moment closed the event in an inspiring way, with a motivational talk by Miguel Vieira, the first blind Portuguese judoka. Miguel shared his impressive story: from sudden blindness after a lunch nap, to arriving in Portugal alone and with little familiarity with the use of a cane, to adapting to a life without sight and the arduous learning of Braille.
The difficulty in being blind and working as a carpenter; training and championships, victories and defeats; to the current combination of his professional life, judo, studies at night and personal life. Always with a simple and inspiring message: take advantage of your obstacles and make them strengths; If you think you are inferior to your opponent, exploit his weak point, and beat him there.
Throughout the Convention, there was also the delivery of team and individual trophies as a way of highlighting merit.
If you paid attention to Alfaloc’s instagram on October 16, you could closely follow everything that was happening. But if that wasn’t the case, you can also review the best moments in the instagram highlights of the Alfaloc profile. You will (almost) feel that you were there, that day, with us.
