Challenge:
Maraz Origins, a Senegalese shoe manufacturing company, sought to strengthen team cohesion across a highly diverse group of 30 participants, including artisans without formal education, PhD-level academics, and international corporate professionals. The goal was to foster an inclusive environment where all voices could be heard, and team members could develop a sense of shared purpose and belonging.
Offering & Process:
Aminata provided Strategic Facilitation and Inclusive Team Building to support Maraz Origins in cultivating a stronger team culture. She designed and led a two-day visioning retreat that included a range of participatory methods from embodiment exercises and role play to individual interviews, tailored to accommodate varied educational and socio-cultural backgrounds. Sessions were conducted in both French and Wolof to ensure linguistic inclusivity. Aminata also developed customized retreat materials and a detailed agenda to guide collaborative dialogue and deepen trust across the team.
Results:
The retreat significantly improved communication and cohesion within the team. Participants reported a stronger sense of connection to the organization and a deeper understanding of their individual contributions. The inclusive facilitation approach allowed all team members to express themselves openly, regardless of background. The insights gathered during the retreat were consolidated into a final report that continues to guide Maraz Origins’ team development strategies.