“These people have the same challenges, same successes, and very similar jobs but in different markets, different countries, with different cultures,” explains event organizer, Lukasz Ploski, Regional Chief of Staff and Head of Strategic Change, Wealth and Personal Banking, EMEA, “Bringing them together effectively requires more than just putting them in a room.”

Why? Traditional corporate team-building exercises can often feel forced and can struggle to overcome cultural, demographic and hierarchical barriers.

“My concern is always about flexibility – and a lot of companies we work with are fixed in their approach. SongDivision are very open and responsive.”

How could HSBC create an engaging, high-energy environment that would help team members build authentic connections and feel truly engaged while staying true to the company’s values and strategic objectives?

Lukasz was crystal clear, “These people needed to be able to share, support and help each other. Their core jobs are the same, so I wanted them to get to know each other, feel comfortable with each other and I needed to find a way to get them working together quickly but in an entertaining, high-energy way.”

A colleague recommended SongDivision’s unique approach to Lukasz after they produced a hugely successful Global Marketing ExCo event in London for 150 people earlier that year.

He chose to partner with them for this crucial frontline team gathering and the decision, though not without hesitation, proved transformative.

“Recommendation is something but it’s NOT everything. I was cautious at first,” Lukasz admits. “I was thinking, ‘senior people, dancing and singing? No, that won’t work.’ But the more uncomfortable I felt about it, the more I realized that’s exactly why we needed to do it.”
Before the event, SongDivision worked closely with HSBC’s team to understand their specific needs and concerns. “When I choose partners, it’s very important to align with someone’s values and energy,” explains Lukasz. “SongDivision stood out because they not only understood our objectives but helped evolve them. Their responsiveness and flexibility were obvious from the first meeting. And that never wavered.”

SongDivision designed an experience that:

1. 1. Pushed comfort zones while maintaining engagement
   2. Allowed for real-time flexibility and adaptation
   3. Created a level playing field regardless of seniority
   4. Aligned with HSBC’s strategic focus on customer experience and service

The results exceeded expectations on multiple fronts:

• Immediately breaking down hierarchical barriers
• Striking the right balance between helping people out of their comfort zones and feeling engaged
• Delivering sustained team engagement beyond the event
• Creating a shared, peak immersive and emotional experience that continues to resonate to this day
• Generating a high level of energy on the day

“I’ve never seen my boss and the global CEO dancing, shouting, screaming, and singing on stage and having so much fun,” Lukasz reflects.

The impact of the frontline managers event continues to ripple through the organization:

• The team’s song is still played at year-end events
• The experience has become a motivational tool for future team gatherings
• The event is referenced as a benchmark for successful global team integration

“ExCo members told me our event was more impactful than others they’d been to because people felt so obviously connected. Our attendees were the center of attention,” Lukasz notes. “We’re still using the song at year-end events, reminding people how amazing it was. And that’s success for me because those relationship managers who didn’t make it this time know the importance of making their targets so they won’t miss out next time.”

The success of these events has led HSBC to explore other ways to incorporate SongDivision’s different services into future team-building initiatives.

As Lukasz summarizes, “This is a universal experience that can be replicated for many different teams regardless of their seniority.  It works on every level. And, even better, it just keeps paying off!”