Arthur D Little
We’ve been linking people, technology and strategy to make a powerful difference for our clients
ADL Paris celebrates the new year with a pair of memorable office events
Where were we at the end of 2023? Where are we now? In retrospect, it seemed like we had all grown tremendously. Our team is larger, the storylines sharper, our expertise broader.
The Casablanca office attached to Paris is now in full motion, with a steady stream of projects and a few memorable team meals – fine dining in renowned restaurants or McDonald’s in the office.
We have now fully adopted our new office space on the garden floor, hosting events and working in the peaceful open space.
Our new organization is anchored and team seminars allowed the Paris office leadership to shine a light on our commitment to the ADL Bigger goals.
Yet one piece was missing: a good old-fashioned Christmas party to celebrate our team and its achievements.
This is why, on December 12th, all members of the Paris team convened at L’Atelier Eiffel to celebrate the year passed. In this homely location, which had been dressed in chalet esthetics, we competed in a friendly contest of Virtual Reality skiing and traded histories of our past projects, then Secret Santa gifts ("A boomerang! my favorite!").
Managing Partner Matteo Ainardi thanked us for our contribution and wished us the best for 2025. He also distributed many gifts. Consultant Vincent Benyamin-Wood received a brand new set of raclette for scoring the highest for his team – despite no skiing experience, because talent cannot be explained.
Was it enough skiing? The question lingered, and enthralled by the sight of ski goggles and pompon hats, we decided to organize a CSE event. But when and how? Wisely avoiding the difficulties of sending 50+ people in Italy in this time of blocked roads and tunnels, a strike-team led by Consultant Morgane Champeaux set their eye on Les Ménuires station in France.
“It really is a great perk for employees to have” said Business Analyst Thibault Ducellier, “seeing how skiing is an expensive sports”.
Weather was poor for the greater part of the January week-end we selected. We proceeded with caution due to low visibility, a skill most of us have come to master in our day-to-day work due to changing client expectations. Left, right, left, right, stop mid-slope, left, right, dodge a tree, dodge a rock, and deliver the project with brio.
The après-ski were shared with a host of proper lads come straight from Dublin, for better or for worse. Personal spending on beverages had some overrun, with one or more credit cards blocked after an abnormal spending at a restaurant aptly named The Dummy Trap (translated). It was a time of celebration of promotions and a toast to the future.
As night comes to day, the most valiant of us were up in time to catch the morning cartoons and reconnect with the kid within before hitting the slopes.
For most, getting up on Saturday was a struggle, but our managers led the charge for another day, bright and early. The fresh air of the ski lifts had a proper cleansing effect on their minds and bodies. Away, away with yesterday!
