BBC - Around the World - Upfront around the world

Upfront was one of the first Making it Happen successes. In June 2004, the team took the programme on the road outside the UK for the first time in a BBC regional team-building event.

Through Just Imagine and the One BBC consultation process, people around the world asked for more opportunities to meet with other BBC people working in their region.

You asked how we could extend training and support to people around the world and you wanted to find out more about what your colleagues are doing.

In response, the first international pilot of Upfront around the world, for BBC's South Asia staff, took place in Delhi from 15 to 18 June 2004.

Upfront around the world is not an induction programme. It's a One BBC regional event for everyone, whether you've worked for the organisation for twenty days or twenty years.

Upfront was originally designed as a programme for new starters in the UK. Like Upfront around the world, the Upfront team also offer refresher courses for existing UK staff too.

Upfront around the world has been developed as team-building activity. It's a unique opportunity to bring together BBC's international people from across our different divisions for a regional get together and learning experience rolled into one.

During the pilot, participants were shown more about the BBC's role, past, present and future, and shared stories and experiences with each other in a highly interactive way.

There was an introduction to the organisation's structure and all the different services we provide in the UK and around the world. The course also gave delegates the chance to explore more about our aim, vision and purpose.

Each division or operation in the region funds their own staff time, travel and accommodation for the Upfront around the world pilot programme, as part of their training budget. And although Upfront in the UK is residential, this was not necessary for local participants in Delhi. Appropriate arrangements were made for regional delegates from further afield.

The South Asia pilot was a pan-BBC trial and has been based around the Upfront course for existing staff. In Delhi we ran two one and a half day courses, back to back, to allow for operational needs.

As this was a pilot, we asked delegates and contributors for their feedback. Their response was positive and the team are now looking into running similar sessions in other regions around the world.

At the beginning of the Delhi course, delegates were asked to bring objects which represented our organisation to them. One of these was a shawl made from a single continuous thread. The delegate told colleagues that it represented the "global continuity" of the BBC.

Another brought a knife, explaining that to him, the BBC is at the "cutting-edge".

The Upfront team were thrilled by the enthusiasm of the delegates. Their vibrant imagination, articulate contributions and deep thoughts were eye-opening, according to Lindsey Suter, in India for Upfront. She added that they were particularly grateful to BBC staff in Delhi, who helped co-ordinate the event.

Zarpari Khushvakhtova, BBC News, offered some encouraging feedback: "It would be great if it could be done on a regular basis globally."

Delegates in Delhi took part in question and answer sessions with London-based members of ExCo, (now the BBC's Executive Board, or ExBo), via a videoconferencing link. These interactive sessions were warmly welcomed by all. For the first session it was Mark Byford, BBC's deputy director-general, who fielded the questions. Afterwards, one of the BBC team in Delhi told us he was candid, open and challenging.

People at the second Q&A session talked to Stephen Dando, Director of BBC People.

"We tend to forget how exciting it actually is to work for an organisation like the BBC," Jumoke Fashola, Upfront Manager and presenter, said as the course closed. "The fantastic people who attended this South Asia Upfront reminded me what a privilege it is to be part of this organisation. I cannot thank them enough for participating so enthusiastically."

The Upfront team said they had learned an important lesson about how vital it is to have continuous conversation with BBC staff around the world and how much it is appreciated by everyone.

At the beginning of this pilot, the hope was for everyone to get involved, share their own experiences of working for our global organisation, and have fun! They did. And after evaluating this South Asia pilot, it's good news that Upfront will be rolling out in other parts of the world.

Upfront is a BBC course provided by BBC Training & Development