IMBA Unite 2016!!! The Olympics Come True

The Olympics Come True

A great event to foster the IE spirit

What's the IMBA Unite? An annual event organized for students of the international MBA of IE.

Monday, October 10, the weather isn't going to make things easy for us. We move to Plan B — the storm sweeping across all of Spain leaves us no alternative; it seems unbelievable that, with radiant sunshine today, everything points to the day of the event, October 12, being an absolute washout. So we move to Ifema. Madrid's exhibition centre is a safe bet: great transport links and a 5,000-square-metre hall for us. The IMBA Unite event is one of the highlights of the year — everything has to go perfectly, and we're expecting a turnout of 500 people. Seventy Kaizen staff members will do everything possible to make sure everything goes as planned and participants enjoy a great event full of games, music and dancing.

[caption id="attachment_1241" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Team building at Ifema for IE Business School[/caption]

Warming up

The day is cold and rainy, but hall 2 at Ifema starts to fill with colour — participants begin arriving, in costumes, wigs, painted faces, eager to have a good time and warm up. And there's no better way to warm up than with Sandro leading the way. To Chayanne's song Madre Tierra, the choreography begins, and the 350 attendees follow along with enthusiasm. Smiles and knowing looks already appear among participants, muscles start warming up and hearts start beating faster — there's no better way to start an activity than with music, dancing and our colleague Sandro, who could get the dead dancing in a cemetery.

[caption id="attachment_1242" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Sandro hosting IMBA Unite 2016[/caption]

The games begin

The teams are ready, instructors accompany them to their game fields, they take their lanes and wait for the starting signal. Six rounds with different games await them — they'll need to give it their all, since three prizes await participants: best team, best section, and the team that best embodies the IE spirit.

On field number one, players face off against water. They'll need to carry as much of it as possible in buckets above their heads — will they manage it quickly enough without getting soaked?

[caption id="attachment_1266" align="alignnone" width="1024"] IMBA Unite 2016[/caption]

On field number two, we have a classic: the cooperative sack race. Each team must cover the set distance in the shortest possible time, trying not to fall to avoid wasting time. The key is jumping all at once — sounds easy, but will they manage to sync up?

[caption id="attachment_1243" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Cooperative sack race game IMBA Unite 2016[/caption]

On field number three, Mobile Bridge. They'll need to transport the "package", using only some planks, without it touching the ground, or they'll have to start over. One key is choosing the right "package" — will they go for weight or agility?

[caption id="attachment_1255" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Mobile Bridge IMBA Unite 2016[/caption]

On field number four, knee trembler. They'll need to transport 10 foam balls in the shortest possible time, without using their hands at any point. How will they do it? With their knees, of course.....

[caption id="attachment_1258" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Knee trembler game IMBA Unite 2016[/caption]

On field number five, another classic: cooperative ski race. Just like with the sacks, the key is moving in perfect sync — one wrong step and... down to the ground!!!!! Time to get back up and reach the finish line.

[caption id="attachment_1260" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Skis race at IMBA Unite 2016[/caption]

On field number six, crazy relay. The wildest, most hectic game, full of mini-challenges that will test even the most daring. Diver races, waiter races, running with a ping-pong ball in your mouth....., will they manage everything in time?

[caption id="attachment_1259" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Crazy relay at IMBA Unite 2016[/caption]

And to keep the wait entertaining and delight the bravest attendees, our inflatable attractions were ready for them. Wipe out, demolition, human foosball and the diabolical surfboard, plus a bouncy castle for the little ones.

[caption id="attachment_1261" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Wipe out at IMBA Unite 2016[/caption]

Best Team Winner

The competition was tight and fiercely contested right to the end — the truth is everyone competed with huge enthusiasm, but one team in particular stood out above the rest. LA PERLA NEGRA!!!!!!!!

[caption id="attachment_1256" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Winner best team IMBA Unite 2016[/caption]

Best Section Winner

For the best-section trophy, the combined scores of the teams making up each section were taken into account, also resulting in a tight finish, though the ultimate winner was section number eight, made up of PINK LADIES AND T BIRDS!!!!!!!

[caption id="attachment_1248" align="alignnone" width="1024"] WINNER BEST SECTION IMBA Unite 2016[/caption]

IE SPIRIT Winner

And finally, the team that best represented the IE spirit, through their sportsmanship, results and passion for the event, was team MBD ANALIZE DAT!!!!!!!!!

[caption id="attachment_1247" align="alignnone" width="1024"] BEST IE SPIRIT[/caption]

At Kaizen, we want to thank all participants for their fantastic attitude and enthusiasm for the event — it always helps us enormously, it's what lets us enjoy our work and keep striving to improve every day.

We also want to give a special mention to everyone at IE who worked so closely with us, making sure everything went perfectly. Huge thanks to Marta Ostalska and Marta Garcia, Steven Thompson, Micaela, Giedre, Patricia Morales and Deirdre.

We're already eager to get to work to make IMBA Unite 2017 even better — see you soon!!!!!!