Shop Direct board salutes military‐style training : Mountain‐based activities break down barriers and establish common purpose

Purpose – This paper aims to describe how military‐style activities in the mountains of Snowdonia helped to break down barriers and establish a common purpose among the 16 operating‐board members of UK home‐shopping company Shop Direct. Design/methodology/approach – The paper explains the reasons for the training, how it was conducted and the benefits it has brought. Findings – The paper details the exercises the board members undertook, including: blindfolded exercises where group members had to develop their own non‐verbal communication system and navigate through a densely populated wooded area while maintaining a magnetic bearing and while being led by a sighted leader; common‐goal tasks, where each group member had to reach an allocated location in the Welsh hills at a set time, navigating the terrain and battling the elements, to successfully complete the task and avoid forfeits for the whole group; and a series of rapid‐fire exercises, constantly changing with an interchange of leaders’ roles and positions. Practical implications – The paper outlines how these exercises helped to develop communication skills, group cohesion and mutual understanding of strengths and weaknesses within the team. Social implications – The paper highlights the benefits of outdoor training over more conventional approaches. Originality/value – The paper explains how, drawing on aspects of military training – discipline, timing, structure, teamwork and communication – team members can be aligned to the vision and values of their organization.