SAN DIEGO — Making a profit is critical to the success of any business, but so is the importance of employee bonding.
In this Zevely Zone, I witnessed the softer side of corporate America in a dog-eat-dog world.
At CBS 8 we are always 'Working for You' and sometimes that means not only covering stories for people but also shelter dogs in need.
From cup stacking to rock, paper, scissors, we watched business team building lead to assembling of dog gift boxes and beds for shelter dogs.
Employees who work in the finance and accounting departments for Maravai Life Sciences told us how good it felt to get off the corporate leash for a few hours.
"We are so excited to donate today," said one accountant.
"I love it, he's so cute," said another employee while hugging a rescue dog.
Accountant Kim Lewis then told us, "It's a great day to take a break from work and relax and help the dogs. It's a win-win."
"We are always looking for ways to bring the team together," said Kevin Herde who is the company's Chief Financial Officer. "I've been a dog lover my whole life, so it is very important to me to make sure that those dogs who do not have a home find one. I think it's something a lot of us connect with."
The person in charge of the event was Darlynne Menkin from Out of the Ordinary Group and Team Adventures.
She organizes a hundred and fifty corporate team-building events a year.
"Fun building is team building. They are having a ton of fun because they get to compete, they get to have fun, they are team bonding that's a big deal with corporate groups and they are giving back and in this case, they are helping a local animal shelter," said Darlynne.
Today's donation recipients are rescue dogs, like Frogger and Solar Saul who are both up for adoption.
"Not only is this event fun but it benefits the animals at the Rancho Coastal Humane Society, also the people participating in this get so much pride out of it," said John Van Zante from Rancho Coastal.
He told us all of the gift boxes and dog beds will go home as an extra incentive with families who adopt a dog.
"They have a got a brand-new bed, they have leashes, they have collars, they have treats, they have toys. That means you don't have to stop at the pet store on the way home, you just go home. So what do we need to do to get you to drive this puppy off of the lot today than take this with you?" said John.
Those lucky new pet owners will save a lot of money, which always makes a room full of accountants smile.
"You can tell they get excited about it," said John as the employees erupted in laughter.
The employees' final task was to write and sing a dog jingle. Who says you can't teach a bunch of math majors a new trick?
For more information about corporate team building that helps the community, click here.