Bidvest Project 2004

Sunday Times Business Times June 27 2004

By Gaenor Vaida

When diversified services group Bidvest decided on a team-building exercise, it wanted something a bit different.

David Koff, group services manager, had seen a paphlet from events management company Art Jam advertising its painting excercise. Art Jam's Kate Sunley, together with artist Collin Cole, design individual drawings which are then painted by individuals.

Brian Joffe, executive chairman of Bidvest, liked the idea - but he wanted a twist. He wanted all 300 senior managers at Bidvest to paint a single painting together.

So Cole and Sunley designed a painting which incorporated the logo of Bidvest as well as all its devisions. The painting, 16.5m long by 3m high, was cut into 88 square panels of 750cm high by 750cm each.

Participants were split into teams of three to four people, based on their date of birth. They were allowed to use primary colours, and had to use a paint brush no bigger than 1cm wide. The painting took an hour and 17 minutes to complete.

Says Joffe:'We didn't have any idea the painting would turn out so well. The response was 'wow'. The painters were astounded how the colours came together. It turned out like a masterpiece.' The painting is too large for Bidvest's offices, so Joffe wants to find a worthwhile home for it. He is considering donating it to a children's hospital ward, or auctioning it off for charity. 'I believe it is the responsibility of bigger businesses to support underpriviledged institutions and charity.'

Joffe has issued a challenge to other blue-chip companies. 'I would like to see other companies having a bash at doing one of these paintings,' he said.