While they may not work in a profession associated with tough team-building exercises, a group of Essex hairdressers proved everyone can benefit from improving the ways in which they work together.

This year, when the entire staff from the Headlines hair salons in Billericay and Wickford gathered together for their annual strategy meeting, they kicked off with a specially devised team-building programme organised by Response Development Training Ltd (RTD).

Salon owner, Simon Harris, decided that Brentwood-based RTD would be the ideal organisation to reinforce this year's aim - to improve general communication and teamwork among his 50 staff.

John Smith, a co-director of RTD, devised a programme of activities that presented both mental and physical challenges to the group, and mixed staff from both salons together in each exercise.

The hectic schedule of events, held at Ashwells Country Club in Brentwood, culminated in the making of a short video based on an item of news, with team members working in small groups.

John explained: ''The video exercise, like all the activities we set, was designed to make staff think as a team and addressed issues of leadership, delegation, control and other key areas that are presented every day in the workplace.''

Both Simon and the RTD staff were impressed with the way the group approached the exercises and the results that followed.

Simon said: ''The day was a huge success in terms of improving how we work as a team. The staff were really positive about the challenges presented, and it has created a solid foundation upon which we can continue to build throughout the rest of the year.''

Working with hairdressers was a first for RTD, but having achieved such a positive result, John admits he would like to work with more salons. He said: ''The benefits that can be derived from our programmes are not limited to any particular industry. Almost everyone can get something out of the programmes we offer.''

For more information call Clair Orton PR on 01394 380494.

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