What happens when you pause a full day of business operations, bring the entire company together, and reimagine your office as a game of strategy, deception, and teamwork?
You get one of the most memorable State of the Union events we’ve ever hosted!
Setting the Scene
We kicked off the day by bringing everyone together for an open and honest business review. Our CEO, Mike Dalloz, and COO, Alex Breingan, presented a reflection on our performance, celebrated key successes, and shared an exciting look ahead at what’s next for the business.
It was a valuable moment to align, recognise progress, and reinforce where we’re heading together.
Then, after a well-earned lunch, it was time for a very different kind of thinking…
Welcome to The Traitors
For the afternoon, our office was transformed completely. Five teams. Five hosts. Five versions of Claudia Winkleman guiding the action (dark eye shadow and wigs included!).
Each team entered their own game of The Traitors, navigating strategy, suspicion, and shifting alliances. Across the afternoon, players took part in three immersive missions:
- Echoes of the Unknown – Teams recreated mystery audio clips using only their voices, while the opposing group tried to match them to the originals, balancing accuracy with strategy and the temptation of hidden shields.
- Masterpiece Match – One team brought famous artworks to life through live recreations, while the other guessed the correct piece, with points, performance, and sneaky shield decisions all in play.
- Codecracker Relay – The whole group tackled a fast-paced series of puzzles under time pressure, requiring majority decisions on every answer to unlock points, and potentially a powerful double vote advantage.
Alongside the missions, the real game unfolded.
Traitors plotted in secret.
Faithfuls questioned everything.
Murders took place.
Banishments were fiercely debated.
The End Game
As the final rounds played out, tension built across all five teams. Every decision mattered. Every vote carried weight.
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for.
All teams gathered back in the atrium for the results of The End Game. One by one, the final standing players revealed their true identities - Traitor or Faithful - to the rest of the business.
Celebrating the Winners
Every final-standing player walked away with a prize - well earned after an afternoon of strategy, teamwork, and nerve. To top it off, a raffle added an extra layer of excitement with 1 x £100 voucher and 2 x £50 vouchers to be won!
And in true State of the Union style, we also recognised the winning team of the day, who finished with the highest overall points. As part of their reward, they were given the opportunity to choose a charity to receive a £200 donation. They selected Daisy Ring Bus, a brilliant local transport initiative – run by volunteers helping Isle of Wight Cancer patients reach Southampton & Portsmouth Hospitals safely and with kindness. A fitting way to end the day, celebrating performance, teamwork, and making a positive impact beyond the office.
We’re already looking forward to the next one… though we might think twice before trusting anyone who says they’re definitely a Faithful!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by our team to ensure accuracy, relevance, and alignment with Performance in People’s customer experience expertise.
Written by Abi McIntyre, Head of Creative Connect on LinkedIn
Abi leads brand, marketing, and creative communications, turning customer experience insight into clear, engaging content and campaigns.
