Every year, all PAYSTRAX employees come together to celebrate the achievements of the past year, to meet in person those they’ve only seen via webcam, and to catch up with those they don’t work with on a daily basis. Kick Off – it’s not just about work, it’s also an opportunity to connect with each other, share different thoughts and grow personally for even greater results. This time, the theme was inspired by the growth and future plans of the company – ”Mission is Possible”!
Day 1 – Introduction to departments and Blue Ocean Strategy workshop
We opened the event with the CEO’s speech. Our CEO, Jóhannes Ingi Kolbeinsson, gave a memorable reminder about the company’s values, mission and vision, strategy and introduced upcoming opportunities and market trends. Later, each chief of the department introduced their team, shared their achievements and plans for the future, showed the progress in achieving KPIs and shared fun team moments from the past year.
Introducing teams, showcasing their accomplishments, and highlighting progress is crucial for fostering a collaborative and motivated work environment. It ensures that everyone in the company is aware of the contributions made by different teams, promoting a sense of collective ownership and alignment with the company’s goals. Celebrating these successes not only boosts morale but also reinforces the importance of each team’s role in driving the organisation forward.
Blue Ocean Strategy workshop, led by our Head of Strategy Donatas Voveris, teamed up everyone from different departments and allowed their creativity to take over. The exercise was to create a new service improvement idea that PAYSTRAX could implement using Blue Ocean Strategy canva. The workshop was a huge success, sparking a wealth of innovative ideas while providing a fun and engaging experience for everyone involved.
Day 2 – Vilborg Arna and hike in Pavilniai Regional Park
Friday morning started with an inspiring session featuring Vilborg Arna, a professional mountaineer and record-holding real-life hero who has made the impossible possible. Vilborg shared her remarkable personal journey, highlighting her achievements as the only woman to complete a solo expedition to the South Pole and summit an 8,000-meter peak. She is also the youngest person in the world to undertake a solo polar journey and the first Icelander to ski solo from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole. Her story is a testament to resilience, courage, and the power of pushing beyond limits.
After such a motivational story, we gathered our gear and continued the Kick Off with a 10km hike in the Pavilniai Regional Park in Vilnius. Although the hike was not on Everest like Vilborg’s expeditions, she joined us to explore the beauty of Vilnius’ nature. During the walk, the teams played games and completed missions to earn points. The hike ended with an award ceremony and prizes for the winners.
Following a hearty dinner at a Lithuanian cuisine restaurant, the team transitioned to the more relaxed phase of team building, networking with each other, sharing their day’s experiences, and deepening their connections.
Ready to make missions possible!
As our annual company event ended, we look back on the great time we shared and the strong bonds we’ve strengthened. The event has left us energised and ready to take on the upcoming challenges with renewed focus and determination. With the insights and experiences, we’re well-prepared to face the year ahead, united and excited for what’s to come.
