Team Building and Giving Back: Salesforce and NTT DATA

Last month a group 20 sales managers from Salesforce.com Germany and NTT DATA got together to partake in a volunteering activity that not only put some life back into the walls and corridors of Aktion Sonnenschein Kindergarten, but also brought both teams closer together.

The activity day was organized by partner managers from both companies so that Salesforce and NTT DATA sales teams could learn more about each other and do something positive as a group.

“Trust and social responsibility are key elements to the culture of both companies,” said Darren Lesniak, Partner Account Manager, Salesforce.com.  “Therefore combining the “teaming event” with a foundation activity at Aktion Sonnenschein, seemed to be the right approach.”

Early in the day the teams got together for an inspiring presentation by Aktion Sonnenschein on their approach for kindergarten and school education for children with and without disabilities. After that the 3 teams went off to work – there were aisles to be painted, a huge cellar to be cleared out and old furniture to be discarded, as well as some paint and refurbishment work in the outside area.

The teams rounded off the day with a joint barbeque together with the staff from Aktion Sonnenschein. The children at the Aktion Sonnenschein Vocational School even prepared the salads and sides for the entire team which was really impressive!

“It was a great feeling working as part of a team with NTT DATA and achieving what we did in one day. The fact that the kids noticed the freshly painted corridors right away and were so happy with their new outdoor bench really made it for us. One of the team members at Aktion Sonnenschein even admitted that she wasn’t aware of the size of the basement – she was really impressed.” Darren Lesniak, Partner Manger, Salesforce.com

Aktion Sonnenschein Kindergarten is a pre-school and school that takes a unique approach to learning. The first of its kind in Germany starting in 1968, Aktion Sonnenshein provides an integrated educational system for children with and also without disabilities.