American companies spend millions of dollars on management consultants, business gurus and motivational speakers, but what does a great British business do on a strategic retreat? Why, put on a panto of course. At a recent divisional meeting of Greene King, staff were "treated" to a production of Cinderella by the senior commercial and HR teams. It took place in December at the Huntingdon Marriot and was all in the aid of, says a company spokesman, "communicating the key strategic thrusts and challenges facing the company over the next three to five years." Translated into panto-speak this means Cinders has every chance of going to the ball as long as she does not get distracted by Buttons, the evil Baron, or one of the Nolan sisters. Amongst the star cast was Greene King MD David Elliot and TV presenter and former athlete Roger Black, who filled pantomime's now traditional role of "minor celebrity". Good-looking Roger is easy enough to spot. How about David? (Clue: look for a firm midriff.)
