| Vercingetorix, perhaps the model for Asterix the | | | | thankfully less bloody! A company whose staff is |
| Gaul, was the last of the Gauls to succumb to | | | | motivated to defend their patch of the market |
| Caesar. Based in the Auvergne, he and his army | | | | will usually succeed but how can you motivate |
| kept the mighty Roman Empire at bay even after | | | | them best. Remember, one of the key |
| the rest of Gaul had fallen. At Gergovie he fought | | | | motivational features of the army of the Gauls |
| and beat Caesar's army but the battle was not | | | | was motivated by adventure and adrenaline so it |
| decisive. Caesar pulled back and Vercingetorix and | | | | follows that the same methods will work today. |
| his men headed off to their stronghold at Alesie. | | | | Choose motivational events that involve one or |
| Eventually Caesar followed after having called for | | | | both of these motivators. Send them into battle |
| reinforcements. But this time Caesar did not play | | | | on a medieval themed day. Pit teams against each |
| Vercingetorix's game, they simply waited until the | | | | other on a city-wide treasure hunt or with a giant |
| troops inside the stronghold ran out of food. | | | | slot racing car track. Or perhaps re-create the era |
| So what has a tussle that took place 2000 years | | | | of the cold war with a spy themed event. |
| ago got to do with Management in the 21st | | | | Basically, there is plenty of choice out there, but |
| century? Astute managers can learn valuable | | | | you need to be as astute as Caesar or |
| lessons from both leaders. | | | | Vercingetorix if you are to choose the right one. |
| The First Lesson - the Success of Vercingetorix | | | | Just make sure that your choice is something |
| How was this provincial chief able to hold at bay | | | | inclusive... a wet weekend navigating around a cold |
| the then mighty forces of the Roman Empire? | | | | wet moor in the dark, reaching pennants in trees |
| The answer was motivation. Vercingetorix's men | | | | and crossing rivers with only a tyre, cane and |
| were motivated by adrenaline and adventure. | | | | piece of string to help will de-motivate most |
| They were also well trained in the art of warfare; | | | | effectively! |
| perhaps not as well trained or disciplined as the | | | | Learn also from Caesar's success, watch the |
| Roman Army but they were able to more than | | | | competition, adapt and develop your business |
| hold their own given the situation of the battle. | | | | strategies. Motivate and train to surround yourself |
| Each man had his role and the army of | | | | with the best people. Use corporate events with |
| Vercingetorix worked as a team. | | | | an element of challenge and problem solving for |
| The second Lesson - the Failure of Vercingetorix | | | | motivation; make sure your staff is well trained |
| He and his men became complacent and thought | | | | on the telephone, your products, your computer |
| they had succeeded in shaking off Caesar, they | | | | systems. Run training and team building events |
| went back to where they felt comfortable and | | | | regularly, the world's most successful corporations |
| safe and that lead to their downfall. | | | | do and not just to spend money, it all has a |
| The Third Lesson - the Success of Caesar | | | | purpose. Make sure that you vary the themes. |
| After tasting defeat, Caesar reflected on why | | | | Your staff will then become so used to creative |
| they had been defeated and developed an | | | | thinking, communication and interacting in different |
| alternative strategy which ultimately led to | | | | situations that it becomes habit. |
| success. He used creative thinking to solve the | | | | So learn from these two great historical leaders, |
| problem. | | | | motivate, train and adapt for business success. |
| The world of business is like a battle, but | | | | |