kristy.ramnarine@cnc3.co.tt
A ‘sowing and reaping’ challenge is being put out to corporate T&T.
It comes from Laughlin and De Gannes, which recently held its Go Green campaign.
Staff members of the company’s San Fernando, Couva, and Port-of- Spain branches where challenged to sow and reap vegetation using only wooden palettes.
“All the nurseries and soil were provided by Laughlin and de Gannes,” said managing director Greig Laughlin.
He added, “We wanted the staff to be creative with their executions. All three locations were required to use recycled pallets and come up with an innovative design to grow short-term crops, such as lettuce, patchoi, chive, cucumbers and pimentos. The activity encouraged greater staff engagement and it was geared towards a team building effort.”
The idea for the in-house competition was conceived in January 2023 and the Ministry of Agriculture Land and Fisheries was contacted to provide guidance to all teams during this project.
All teams started planting in April and the competition ended on June 6.
The teams even adopted names highlighting the flora and fauna of T&T—Port-of-Spain “Team Marigold”, San Fernando Team “D Green Iguanas” and Couva Team “Roots and Shoots”.
According to Laughlin, even though “Team Roots and Shoots” won the competition the true winner is “Team LDG”.
He said, “In order to become a good leader you need to help people to grow,” he said.
“If you don’t reap as you want to then there is something wrong with what you have sown. Competition is a natural way to get the most out of your employees. You provide motivation and in turn increase productivity.
“Staff also felt valued to be able to contribute their ideas and creativity in making this project a success. They were challenged to stay on top of their game and all teams felt a sense of fulfilment by seeing their crops flourishing healthy.”
The produce will be distributed to staff and this will be an ongoing project.
Laughlin and De Gannes supplies tools, equipment and automotive parts and products to the automotive industry of T&T.