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Mick Lindsay, founder of Mocean scooped the ‘Entrepreneur of the year’ award in the services category at The Great British Entrepreneur Awards last month.
Now in its sixth year, the Great British Entrepreneur Awards acknowledges the hard work and inspiring stories of British entrepreneurs and businesses in Great Britain. The Awards have celebrated some outstanding entrepreneurs who have gone on to become household names.
Creator of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, Francesca James, believes that it is vital that British entrepreneurs are championed. She explained: “Entrepreneurs inject competition into markets, create jobs and spur innovation. These awards are different because they celebrate the story behind these people – true entrepreneurs are as much about their story as they are about their balance sheet.”
Mick is delighted with the accolade and hopes that this will help propel the business to the next stage of our journey. It’s certainly justified recognition for all of the long hours and hard work needed to set up and scale a business.
Now in its sixth year, the Great British Entrepreneur Awards acknowledges the hard work and inspiring stories of British entrepreneurs and businesses in Great Britain. The Awards have celebrated some outstanding entrepreneurs who have gone on to become household names.
Creator of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, Francesca James, believes that it is vital that British entrepreneurs are championed. She explained: “Entrepreneurs inject competition into markets, create jobs and spur innovation. These awards are different because they celebrate the story behind these people – true entrepreneurs are as much about their story as they are about their balance sheet.”
Mick is delighted with the accolade and hopes that this will help propel the business to the next stage of our journey. It’s certainly justified recognition for all of the long hours and hard work needed to set up and scale a business.
Mocean is a multi-award winning employee engagement and internal comms agency based in Bristol & London
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Mocean Adventures and The Bristol Pavilion are delighted to announce an exclusive partnership that will bring high quality and innovative event solutions to Bristol and South West based clients.
The Bristol Pavilion is based at The Brightside Ground just off Gloucester Road and is the home of Gloucestershire Cricket Club. It has an enviable reputation for providing high quality events and conferencing facilities to non-match day, business clients. Mocean is one of the UK’s brightest team building and employee engagement companies who provide high quality events services for many blue chip business clients.
“This prestigious venue sits perfectly with our mission to provide extremely high quality events that offer real business value to our customers” Said Mick Lindsay, Founder of Mocean.
“The venue was only built a few years ago and provides the rare combination of modern, fit for purpose facilities and expansive outdoor space, right in the heart of the city. It can cater for business events and conferences to the high standards that we demand from venues” he continued.
For further details and prices, please contact Mocean on either: 0117 2140507 or team@m-ocean.co.uk
The Bristol Pavilion is based at The Brightside Ground just off Gloucester Road and is the home of Gloucestershire Cricket Club. It has an enviable reputation for providing high quality events and conferencing facilities to non-match day, business clients. Mocean is one of the UK’s brightest team building and employee engagement companies who provide high quality events services for many blue chip business clients.
“This prestigious venue sits perfectly with our mission to provide extremely high quality events that offer real business value to our customers” Said Mick Lindsay, Founder of Mocean.
“The venue was only built a few years ago and provides the rare combination of modern, fit for purpose facilities and expansive outdoor space, right in the heart of the city. It can cater for business events and conferences to the high standards that we demand from venues” he continued.
For further details and prices, please contact Mocean on either: 0117 2140507 or team@m-ocean.co.uk
Mocean is a multi-award winning employee engagement and internal comms agency based in Bristol & London
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We are delighted to announce the launch of a brand video series called Mocean Pictures.
Team building and employee engagement doesn't always have to be complicated and costly which is why we want to share some experiences and ideas that business leaders have tried and found successful. We will be releasing a regular series of short videos crammed full of useful advice and tips on how you can better engage and motivate your employees. We will be interviewing many industry leading experts and discussing the many of the issues businesses face daily.
We want the Mocean Pictures series to be as interactive as possible and we would encourage you to get in touch with any comments, feedback or general request for topics.
Team building and employee engagement doesn't always have to be complicated and costly which is why we want to share some experiences and ideas that business leaders have tried and found successful. We will be releasing a regular series of short videos crammed full of useful advice and tips on how you can better engage and motivate your employees. We will be interviewing many industry leading experts and discussing the many of the issues businesses face daily.
We want the Mocean Pictures series to be as interactive as possible and we would encourage you to get in touch with any comments, feedback or general request for topics.
Mocean is a multi-award winning employee engagement and internal comms agency based in Bristol & London
Yesterday we ran our fourth Netwalking event and the BBC World Service were there to record a 3 minute article for the broadcast on the radio. Wahoo!
Once a month, we run our Netwalking sessions which are a wonderful mix of casual networking and hill walking on the Mendips guided by our very own mountain leaders Mick and Tom.
We started the idea to demonstrate the awesome team building and employee engagement events that we offer our clients but it soon became clear that there was a real appetite for these events and we started to offer them out to the wider business community in and around Bristol.
Yesterday, everyone was in a jolly mood from the start. I guess it must have been the combination of getting out of the office for the afternoon, the fact that the weather had brightened up after a whole day of rain or it may have been something to do with the awesome goodie bags that they were given with their very own Mocean T-shirt and GoBites from Go Faster Food!
We were joined by BBC journalist Claire Forestier who took time to understand the concept of Netwalking and also recorded the thoughts of the walkers representing companies such as Excalibur Communications, Teacher Hub, Skanska, Artemis Clarke, Halcyan, Sales Alliance, Global Vans and Claire Stone Nutrition.
After the beautiful walk in the stunning Mendip Hills we headed to a lovely traditional country pub for some well-earned ‘rehydration’.
What a great way to network!
Thanks to all those who attended. We will look forward to our next event on August 16th. If you would like to book a place please contact us on team@m-ocean.co.uk
Once a month, we run our Netwalking sessions which are a wonderful mix of casual networking and hill walking on the Mendips guided by our very own mountain leaders Mick and Tom.
We started the idea to demonstrate the awesome team building and employee engagement events that we offer our clients but it soon became clear that there was a real appetite for these events and we started to offer them out to the wider business community in and around Bristol.
Yesterday, everyone was in a jolly mood from the start. I guess it must have been the combination of getting out of the office for the afternoon, the fact that the weather had brightened up after a whole day of rain or it may have been something to do with the awesome goodie bags that they were given with their very own Mocean T-shirt and GoBites from Go Faster Food!
We were joined by BBC journalist Claire Forestier who took time to understand the concept of Netwalking and also recorded the thoughts of the walkers representing companies such as Excalibur Communications, Teacher Hub, Skanska, Artemis Clarke, Halcyan, Sales Alliance, Global Vans and Claire Stone Nutrition.
After the beautiful walk in the stunning Mendip Hills we headed to a lovely traditional country pub for some well-earned ‘rehydration’.
What a great way to network!
Thanks to all those who attended. We will look forward to our next event on August 16th. If you would like to book a place please contact us on team@m-ocean.co.uk
Mocean is a multi-award winning employee engagement and internal comms agency based in Bristol & London
How did you find out about Mocean?
I was working as a mountain bike guide on Exmoor and met the creative and very tanned Mick Lindsay, who was planning a day long team building challenge by bike for a group of 35 professionals. I was captivated hearing how Mocean was using outdoor experiences and challenges to promote employee engagement and build stronger teams. I love the outdoors and happy people, so I asked Mick if I could get involved.
What interested you most about Mocean?
I’d recently read the National Trust’s research paper on Nature Deficit Disorder, a term describing how spending less time in nature is the proven cause of the deteriorating state of the British population’s physical and mental health. In my eyes Mocean was offering a solution to the Nature Deficit Disorder problem through challenging outdoor experiences which focus on promoting employee happiness and team building, which in turn affects the bottom line of productivity. Everyone wins.
What experiences have you had so far?
My first day with Mocean was at a beautiful country hotel - Mick warned me it wasn't always like this! The event, called the X-Games, was for 250 employees of BNP Paribas. The event consisted of 16 team challenges with activities including blind folded puzzles, harnessed tree climbing, axe throwing, slacklining and riding the impossible bike. The atmosphere was great, Mick ran the event perfectly, the sun was shining and the clients were loving life. In the office I’ve been helping promote the brilliant Netwalking events - a monthly event of guided walking and networking around Bristol’s natural areas, as a way of interacting with our clients and the local business community. Our next monthly Netwalking session is happening on July 26th in the Mendips and is being recorded for the BBC.
What are you looking forward to most about working at Mocean?
I’m looking forward to progressing my outdoor leadership skills as well as my business development role while learning from the guru of creative leadership and team building. The team building challenge in the pipeline I’m most looking forward to is delivering an expedition to either Kilimanjaro or Everest Base Camp, a trip that would be the ultimate test for any team.
I was working as a mountain bike guide on Exmoor and met the creative and very tanned Mick Lindsay, who was planning a day long team building challenge by bike for a group of 35 professionals. I was captivated hearing how Mocean was using outdoor experiences and challenges to promote employee engagement and build stronger teams. I love the outdoors and happy people, so I asked Mick if I could get involved.
What interested you most about Mocean?
I’d recently read the National Trust’s research paper on Nature Deficit Disorder, a term describing how spending less time in nature is the proven cause of the deteriorating state of the British population’s physical and mental health. In my eyes Mocean was offering a solution to the Nature Deficit Disorder problem through challenging outdoor experiences which focus on promoting employee happiness and team building, which in turn affects the bottom line of productivity. Everyone wins.
What experiences have you had so far?
My first day with Mocean was at a beautiful country hotel - Mick warned me it wasn't always like this! The event, called the X-Games, was for 250 employees of BNP Paribas. The event consisted of 16 team challenges with activities including blind folded puzzles, harnessed tree climbing, axe throwing, slacklining and riding the impossible bike. The atmosphere was great, Mick ran the event perfectly, the sun was shining and the clients were loving life. In the office I’ve been helping promote the brilliant Netwalking events - a monthly event of guided walking and networking around Bristol’s natural areas, as a way of interacting with our clients and the local business community. Our next monthly Netwalking session is happening on July 26th in the Mendips and is being recorded for the BBC.
What are you looking forward to most about working at Mocean?
I’m looking forward to progressing my outdoor leadership skills as well as my business development role while learning from the guru of creative leadership and team building. The team building challenge in the pipeline I’m most looking forward to is delivering an expedition to either Kilimanjaro or Everest Base Camp, a trip that would be the ultimate test for any team.
Mocean is a multi-award winning employee engagement and internal comms agency based in Bristol & London
It’s a simple formula isn’t it. Put simply, the more a team works together, the better they perform. When teams work together something incredible happens, you find yourself working faster, smarter, more efficiently and more committed. This approach to team building really does help build better performing teams. Why? Because, employee engagement has clear benefits to your team and the wider business and simple team building activities can really help improve your productivity. A happy and engaged employee is much better for any team. We know that team building is often over-looked by leadership teams but there is clear and proven evidence that teamwork = success. To help inspire you and your team to collaborate and work together, here are ten quotes that celebrate the awesomeness of teamwork and team building.
Top ten quotes on the power of team building, teamwork & collaboration
Visit our TEAM BUILDING page to find out more about how we can help build better performing teams for your business.
Top ten quotes on the power of team building, teamwork & collaboration
- “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller
- “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” – Henry Ford
- “Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organisational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” – Andrew Carnegie
- “Talent wins games, but teamwork wins championships.” – Michael Jordan
- “Teamwork begins by building trust” – Patrick Lencioni
- “There is no such thing as a self-made man. You will reach your goals only with the help of others.” – George Shinn
- “The ratio of We’s to I’s is the best indicator of the development of a team.” – Lewis B. Ergen
- “No matter how brilliant your mind or strategy, if you’re playing a solo game, you’ll always lose out to a team.” – Reid Hoffman
- “Great things in business are never done by one person; they're done by a team of people." – Steve Jobs
- "Cooperation is the thorough conviction that nobody can get there unless everybody gets there." – Virginia Burden
Visit our TEAM BUILDING page to find out more about how we can help build better performing teams for your business.
Mocean is a multi-award winning employee engagement and internal comms agency based in Bristol & London
Happy employees are more productive and much better for your business. There’s a growing mountain of research on the subject but all too often the working environment doesn’t encourage happiness and wellbeing. In fact some leaders’ behaviours actively cause stress and anxiety and this is bad for the efficiency of your team. Here are three simple day-to-day things that you can do to spread a little happiness at work. You’ll soon be reaping the rewards.
- Say thank you - Research shows that feeling appreciated is one of the most important factors to feeling engaged at work. Saying thank you for simple day-to-day tasks doesn’t cost anything but can make a huge difference to the wellbeing of your employees.
- Treats - There are loads of simple things that you can do to offer small ad-hoc rewards for your team. How about: Ice creams on a hot summers day or chocolates at Christmas? Or you bring on the happy doughnuts - Teams love doughnuts, anytime of year. Or how about a monthly pizza reward? These things don’t cost the earth but will help your employees feel valued and have a huge impact on productivity.
- Give them a big ‘virtual’ hug - Things don’t always go to plan. But it’s important to be supportive and understanding so that you don’t make matters worse. It’s probably not appropriate for leaders to go around hugging employees (we’ll let you and your HR department make that decision) but you can give them a virtual hug by being understanding and supportive. If things aren’t going well - Why not make them a cuppa and sit down to chat through the problem. This provides a great opportunity to use some coaching techniques to calm the situation down as well as develop the employee so that the situation is not repeated.
How do you improve the productivity of your team? Why not post some suggestions below.
Mocean is a multi-award winning employee engagement and internal comms agency based in Bristol & London
Earlier this year we published an article about staying cool in the outdoors - We had some great feedback as we were experiencing some lovely hot weather. Those scorching days and balmy nights seem a longtime past but our team building and employee engagement activities don't stop for the winter months. So, we thought we’d have a look at staying warm and dry if you're heading outdoors over the next few months. For more information on team building and employment engagement, particularly if you're in Bristol and London, please go to www.m-ocean.co.uk/
Nutrition
Whenever you head outdoors, whether it’s for one of our team building / employee engagement activities or just for a solo adventure, you need to be prepared. That preparation starts before you leave home because your body will use a lot of energy simply staying warm so getting your nutrition right is vital. We’re big fans of doing things naturally and you won't find advice on energy gels and protein shakes in this blog. Instead start the day with some slow release energy sources - porridge, bananas with nuts and seeds are all really good. Topping up the energy levels along the way is also important so that you don’t reach the stage where your body goes into self-preservation mode known as ‘bonking’ - take plenty of carb-rich snacks that are easy and quick to consume. Sources like seeds, nuts and natural energy balls all all good. Our friends over at Go Faster Food have some amazing recipes and they’ve just released some delicious and natural energy balls that will be great on the hills. When you’ve finished reading this blog head over to www.gofasterfood.com. Here are a few of our favourites:
- Festive Flapjacks - Great to share on your team building event
- Ethiopian-Style Sweet Potato and Peanut Soup with Chilli & Lime
- Smoky Black Bean & Chorizo Chilli
Hydration
Hydration is not just for hot sunny days and is absolutely critical to your survival in the outdoors whatever the weather. Even if it’s cold and wet you’ll be losing valuable water which will hinder your performance. Drink water even if you don’t feel thirsty because being fully-hydrated helps the flow of oxygen around the body which is very good for performance and staying warm.
Stop for a cuppa
There’s nothing better to lift the spirits than a hot drink at the top of the mountain and it’s easy to carry a small flask so that you can enjoy a cuppa of your choice on your adventure. It’s also very handy in an emergency and if you find yourself or others going into a hypothermic state then a few sips of a hot drink will really help. If coffee is your thing then our friends over at TrueStart Coffee manufacture a caffeine controlled coffee which will control the amount of caffeine in each cup - perfect for a day outdoors. Visit www.truestartcoffee.com for more info.
Think like an onion
Wainwright said “There’s no such thing as bad weather just the wrong clothing”. He’s right, with that correct clothing you’ll enjoy your day outdoors so much better. The secret is layers so that you can adapt your clothing to your situation and it’s a simple formula: When you’re moving - fewer layers. When you’re stopped - more layers. Simples!
Quality counts
You get what you pay for and this is totally true with outdoor clothing. The bigger brands have years of development time behind them and if you splash out on anything this year then make it a really decent Gortex jacket. Whilst nothing can ever claim to be totally waterproof (water has a habit of getting places you don't want it!), the better the jacket, the more chance you have of staying dry.
It’s a cover-up job
This is fairly obvious but you need to cover up all parts of your body at certain times. Hat, gloves and neck scarves are all essential winter kit. Even a balaclava is useful in severe conditions.
Boots are made for walking…
And not wading through wet ground and rivers. As good as modern boots are they are not totally waterproof. Wet feet can be the worse thing when trying to get back to civilisation. Bring some spare socks so that you can change them should your feet get wet.
Arrrgh! It’s all gone wrong!
So what happens when you get overtaken by events and it all goes wrong? The first thing we said in this BLOG was that it’s all about preparation and this is very true when it all goes wrong. Did you pack and emergency shelter (essential kit for any outdoor activity)? Did you pack the first aid kit? Did you put all of your kit into dry bags inside your backpack? Did you pack spare clothes and a change of socks? Did you charge the mobile? Did you tell someone where you were going? Hopefully you won’t ever be in this situation but it really is all about the preparation.
We hope that you don't stop exploring during the winter months. These are some of the best times to get outdoors. So why don't you tell us about your fun times by using our hashtag #ExploreMore. Or if you want to get involved in some of our team building and professional development activities then please visit www.m-ocean.co.uk.
Nutrition
Whenever you head outdoors, whether it’s for one of our team building / employee engagement activities or just for a solo adventure, you need to be prepared. That preparation starts before you leave home because your body will use a lot of energy simply staying warm so getting your nutrition right is vital. We’re big fans of doing things naturally and you won't find advice on energy gels and protein shakes in this blog. Instead start the day with some slow release energy sources - porridge, bananas with nuts and seeds are all really good. Topping up the energy levels along the way is also important so that you don’t reach the stage where your body goes into self-preservation mode known as ‘bonking’ - take plenty of carb-rich snacks that are easy and quick to consume. Sources like seeds, nuts and natural energy balls all all good. Our friends over at Go Faster Food have some amazing recipes and they’ve just released some delicious and natural energy balls that will be great on the hills. When you’ve finished reading this blog head over to www.gofasterfood.com. Here are a few of our favourites:
- Festive Flapjacks - Great to share on your team building event
- Ethiopian-Style Sweet Potato and Peanut Soup with Chilli & Lime
- Smoky Black Bean & Chorizo Chilli
Hydration
Hydration is not just for hot sunny days and is absolutely critical to your survival in the outdoors whatever the weather. Even if it’s cold and wet you’ll be losing valuable water which will hinder your performance. Drink water even if you don’t feel thirsty because being fully-hydrated helps the flow of oxygen around the body which is very good for performance and staying warm.
Stop for a cuppa
There’s nothing better to lift the spirits than a hot drink at the top of the mountain and it’s easy to carry a small flask so that you can enjoy a cuppa of your choice on your adventure. It’s also very handy in an emergency and if you find yourself or others going into a hypothermic state then a few sips of a hot drink will really help. If coffee is your thing then our friends over at TrueStart Coffee manufacture a caffeine controlled coffee which will control the amount of caffeine in each cup - perfect for a day outdoors. Visit www.truestartcoffee.com for more info.
Think like an onion
Wainwright said “There’s no such thing as bad weather just the wrong clothing”. He’s right, with that correct clothing you’ll enjoy your day outdoors so much better. The secret is layers so that you can adapt your clothing to your situation and it’s a simple formula: When you’re moving - fewer layers. When you’re stopped - more layers. Simples!
Quality counts
You get what you pay for and this is totally true with outdoor clothing. The bigger brands have years of development time behind them and if you splash out on anything this year then make it a really decent Gortex jacket. Whilst nothing can ever claim to be totally waterproof (water has a habit of getting places you don't want it!), the better the jacket, the more chance you have of staying dry.
It’s a cover-up job
This is fairly obvious but you need to cover up all parts of your body at certain times. Hat, gloves and neck scarves are all essential winter kit. Even a balaclava is useful in severe conditions.
Boots are made for walking…
And not wading through wet ground and rivers. As good as modern boots are they are not totally waterproof. Wet feet can be the worse thing when trying to get back to civilisation. Bring some spare socks so that you can change them should your feet get wet.
Arrrgh! It’s all gone wrong!
So what happens when you get overtaken by events and it all goes wrong? The first thing we said in this BLOG was that it’s all about preparation and this is very true when it all goes wrong. Did you pack and emergency shelter (essential kit for any outdoor activity)? Did you pack the first aid kit? Did you put all of your kit into dry bags inside your backpack? Did you pack spare clothes and a change of socks? Did you charge the mobile? Did you tell someone where you were going? Hopefully you won’t ever be in this situation but it really is all about the preparation.
We hope that you don't stop exploring during the winter months. These are some of the best times to get outdoors. So why don't you tell us about your fun times by using our hashtag #ExploreMore. Or if you want to get involved in some of our team building and professional development activities then please visit www.m-ocean.co.uk.
Mocean is a multi-award winning employee engagement and internal comms agency based in Bristol & London
Here's a little video of a team building event that we ran for a long-term client last week. We received some great feedback including comments such as "This is the best team building event we've ever done". Team building has a really beneficial affect on your business including a more productive employee group. Visit out team building page for MORE INFO
Mocean is a multi-award winning employee engagement and internal comms agency based in Bristol & London
RSS Feed Team building and employee engagement are high priorities for most businesses. But they don't have to be as traditional as you think. Helping others a part of your corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitment also has major benefits to employee engagement. Here's a little story about a recent event we managed for Morrisons. The three peaks challenge is a very well worn charity challenge event where you complete all three of the highest mountains in the UK in under 24hrs. That's Ben Nevis (Scotland), Snowdon (Wales) and Scarfell Pike (England) in case you were wondering. Now I'll admit right now that I'm not a big fan of this challenge. It just seems like an unnecessary amount of charging around which puts untold pressure on the mountains and the infrastructure around them. I also believe that participants miss the incredible natural beauty of their surroundings but that's probably just my inner hippy coming out. Success of the three peaks often comes down to the transport and how much traffic there is making it largely a driving challenge more than anything else.
So when Sue Ryder enquired about running the three peaks as part of their charity partnership with Morrisons we were keen to suggest alternatives. We settled on the Three Peaks Sunrise Series. We would climb all three of the mountains on separate weekends (over a 12 month period) and we would aim to get to the top of each of them at sunrise. This meant getting the timings right and climbing mostly in the dark. Climbing mountains is awesome but doing it when no one else is around and experiencing sunrise is just magical.
At this point I would like to introduce Kevin Essex. Kevin is a butcher in the Milton Keynes Morrisons store and had not really done much outdoor activity until he pitched up in Llanberis on the first of the sunrise events, Mount Snowdon. The event went well and all walkers made it to the top despite some struggling a little physically. When we got down I interviewed Kevin for the official video and I could see then that he had a glint in his eye and the event had sparked something within. We met again in Fort William before the Ben Nevis climb and he seemed like a changed man - kitted out with proper mountaineering gear and eager to get on the mountain despite the awful weather conditions. Fast forward to a couple of weekends ago and we're stood on top of Scarfell Pike and Kevin was telling me about all the times he'd been out to the mountains and how he wants to climb Mount Elbrus in Russia. Brilliant! He also couldn't stop thanking me for introducing him to mountaineering and it was great to see him so energised and stoked for his new found sport. The mountains can do that to anyone I guess so what are you waiting for? #exploremore
So when Sue Ryder enquired about running the three peaks as part of their charity partnership with Morrisons we were keen to suggest alternatives. We settled on the Three Peaks Sunrise Series. We would climb all three of the mountains on separate weekends (over a 12 month period) and we would aim to get to the top of each of them at sunrise. This meant getting the timings right and climbing mostly in the dark. Climbing mountains is awesome but doing it when no one else is around and experiencing sunrise is just magical.
At this point I would like to introduce Kevin Essex. Kevin is a butcher in the Milton Keynes Morrisons store and had not really done much outdoor activity until he pitched up in Llanberis on the first of the sunrise events, Mount Snowdon. The event went well and all walkers made it to the top despite some struggling a little physically. When we got down I interviewed Kevin for the official video and I could see then that he had a glint in his eye and the event had sparked something within. We met again in Fort William before the Ben Nevis climb and he seemed like a changed man - kitted out with proper mountaineering gear and eager to get on the mountain despite the awful weather conditions. Fast forward to a couple of weekends ago and we're stood on top of Scarfell Pike and Kevin was telling me about all the times he'd been out to the mountains and how he wants to climb Mount Elbrus in Russia. Brilliant! He also couldn't stop thanking me for introducing him to mountaineering and it was great to see him so energised and stoked for his new found sport. The mountains can do that to anyone I guess so what are you waiting for? #exploremore
Mocean is a multi-award winning employee engagement and internal comms agency based in Bristol & London
Team building doesn't have to be structured and run through business channels. In fact employee wellbeing comes in all kinds of guises so here's some advice on helping your employees enjoy the hot weather we're experiencing.
With temperatures almost hitting a staggering 35 degree here in Bristol we started thinking about being outdoors and the dangers that being too hot can bring. In the UK we're often more concerned with keeping dry and warm so we thought it would help if we compiled some top tips and best advice for surviving if you're heading into the mountains this week.
1. Start Early
Early mornings in the outdoors are wondrous. Whether you're trekking or mountain biking it can be the best time of day to enjoy these special environments. If you start early enough it can also mean that you'll miss the hottest part of the day - around midday. You should be able to climb most mountains before lunch leaving the afternoon for the mad dogs and Englishmen.
2. Cover Up
This may seem a little counterintuitive, but long sleeves and a hat are actually your friend it the hot weather. The more of your body you can shield from the sun, the better. Loose-fitting long sleeves and trousers with a wide-brimmed hat will do wonders on a summer hike. Remember to shield your eyes with some UV-blocking sunglasses and slather that sunscreen on every exposed part of your body – especially if you’re hiking at altitude. The sun is stronger up there and you’ll get burned faster – even more so if you’re constantly sweating it all off.
3. Hydrate
Pretty obvious but remember that your body can be losing between 1 and 2 lire an hour so it's vitally important. Be sure to bring more water than you think you’d need – and remember to sip often. BONUS PRO-TIP: When you’re done sipping from a hydration bladder, blow back into the mouth piece so the water doesn’t stay in the drinking tube. Beats getting a drink of hot, sun-soaked water on your next sip. It's also worth pre-hydrating - make sure you drink enough water the day before and in the morning before you leave.
4. Stay Salty
It’s not enough to replace the water your body’s losing – you also have to rebalance those electrolytes while you’re at it. Sodium and potassium are the two big ones you’ll need to make sure you don’t run out of energy - pack some electrolyte drink mixes or tabs with your drinking water.
5. Remember to Rest
While you’re eating those snacks and sipping that water, why not also find some time to sit down in the shade? Chilling out for a bit will give your muscles a chance to recover and also give your sweat some time to evaporate and cool down your body temperature.
6. Bring extra socks
When hiking in hot weather, take an extra pair of of socks. Even if you don’t usually have a problem with blisters, if it's hot your feet are going to seat more than usual. When you feel hot spots in your boots - take a break in the shade and swap socks.
7. Know the Signs of Heat Stroke
When your core body temperature gets too high, you run the risk of suffering from heat stroke – a potentially lethal condition. The most common early signs are:
– Throbbing headache
– Dizziness
– Muscle cramps
– Nausea
– Disorientation or confusion
– Lack of sweating, despite hot temperatures
If you or someone in your group thinks you’re getting heat stroke – stop, find shade, and cool down ASAP. Immediately start planning on getting off the hill and to medical attention - don’t hesitate to call emergency services..
8. Check the Weather
Although skies may be clear in the city, the mountains can make their own weather. Often when it’s very hot – the mountains can trigger surprise downpours - as ever - be prepared for all weathers when you head out.
9. Choose wisely
Pick a route that is achievable before 12. Also, one that offers shade and water sources. It's importantant to keep out of direct sunlight and also to be able to cool yourself down - Soaking your t-shirt in cold mountain water and then putting it back on or over your head can work winders.
With temperatures almost hitting a staggering 35 degree here in Bristol we started thinking about being outdoors and the dangers that being too hot can bring. In the UK we're often more concerned with keeping dry and warm so we thought it would help if we compiled some top tips and best advice for surviving if you're heading into the mountains this week.
1. Start Early
Early mornings in the outdoors are wondrous. Whether you're trekking or mountain biking it can be the best time of day to enjoy these special environments. If you start early enough it can also mean that you'll miss the hottest part of the day - around midday. You should be able to climb most mountains before lunch leaving the afternoon for the mad dogs and Englishmen.
2. Cover Up
This may seem a little counterintuitive, but long sleeves and a hat are actually your friend it the hot weather. The more of your body you can shield from the sun, the better. Loose-fitting long sleeves and trousers with a wide-brimmed hat will do wonders on a summer hike. Remember to shield your eyes with some UV-blocking sunglasses and slather that sunscreen on every exposed part of your body – especially if you’re hiking at altitude. The sun is stronger up there and you’ll get burned faster – even more so if you’re constantly sweating it all off.
3. Hydrate
Pretty obvious but remember that your body can be losing between 1 and 2 lire an hour so it's vitally important. Be sure to bring more water than you think you’d need – and remember to sip often. BONUS PRO-TIP: When you’re done sipping from a hydration bladder, blow back into the mouth piece so the water doesn’t stay in the drinking tube. Beats getting a drink of hot, sun-soaked water on your next sip. It's also worth pre-hydrating - make sure you drink enough water the day before and in the morning before you leave.
4. Stay Salty
It’s not enough to replace the water your body’s losing – you also have to rebalance those electrolytes while you’re at it. Sodium and potassium are the two big ones you’ll need to make sure you don’t run out of energy - pack some electrolyte drink mixes or tabs with your drinking water.
5. Remember to Rest
While you’re eating those snacks and sipping that water, why not also find some time to sit down in the shade? Chilling out for a bit will give your muscles a chance to recover and also give your sweat some time to evaporate and cool down your body temperature.
6. Bring extra socks
When hiking in hot weather, take an extra pair of of socks. Even if you don’t usually have a problem with blisters, if it's hot your feet are going to seat more than usual. When you feel hot spots in your boots - take a break in the shade and swap socks.
7. Know the Signs of Heat Stroke
When your core body temperature gets too high, you run the risk of suffering from heat stroke – a potentially lethal condition. The most common early signs are:
– Throbbing headache
– Dizziness
– Muscle cramps
– Nausea
– Disorientation or confusion
– Lack of sweating, despite hot temperatures
If you or someone in your group thinks you’re getting heat stroke – stop, find shade, and cool down ASAP. Immediately start planning on getting off the hill and to medical attention - don’t hesitate to call emergency services..
8. Check the Weather
Although skies may be clear in the city, the mountains can make their own weather. Often when it’s very hot – the mountains can trigger surprise downpours - as ever - be prepared for all weathers when you head out.
9. Choose wisely
Pick a route that is achievable before 12. Also, one that offers shade and water sources. It's importantant to keep out of direct sunlight and also to be able to cool yourself down - Soaking your t-shirt in cold mountain water and then putting it back on or over your head can work winders.
Thanks to Mountain Hiker.
