Staff Commitment

Staff Commitment

We select staff for what motivates them, support their chosen lifestyle, develop their potential and reward hard work.

When we select staff and trainee guides, we focus on what motivates them and what they are passionate about, as well as on current ability. We have a talented team, motivated to excel and go 'above and beyond' as part of our commitment to achieving results. We believe in supporting their chosen lifestyle, in developing their potential and in rewarding hard work.

  • Staff selected for motivation and passion, not just current ability
  • Each staff member is mentored and then trained to mentor others
  • Long-termers gain access to training budgets, trips and cultural outings
  • Alumni move on to leadership, guiding and outdoor retail roles across Europe

A supportive, process-driven team

The work environment is supportive and team-oriented. Staff know their input, drive, creativity and innovation are valued as much as a strong work ethic, commitment to each other and a positive 'can-try' attitude. We continually challenge people to adopt lean working styles, since many daily processes are repetitive and must be carried out consistently for the sake of the animals; everyday tasks are therefore very process-driven, with clearly defined tasks and timelines. We also culture flexibility, since in the client season especially, change is a constant companion.

Mentoring and growth

Through a process of experiential education and open feedback, each staff member is first mentored and then trained to mentor others. New staff have clear learning targets in terms of both hard skills (safari, climate, computer and dog-related) and soft skills (people and project management related) that they are expected to reach within specific timelines. The longer that people are with us, the more responsibility they are expected to shoulder and the longer the list of personal projects and goals they are expected to manage independently. Long-termers also benefit from greater access to training budgets, staff training trips and cultural outings.

When staff move on, they generally do so as rounder, more confident individuals, more aware of their own strengths and weaknesses. Through our strong industry contacts, we have helped staff move on to expeditionary leadership, guiding and outdoor retail roles across Europe.

Our working guidelines

Our working guidelines include: the client defines the job well done; quality is the measure by which you exceed expectations - meet, beat, repeat; nurture integrity, not only professional but personal; communicate, communicate, communicate; get in the lead and stay there; face the storm - a storm always looks worst from inside a tent; be up front, open, tell the truth and never cover up; one step at a time; no-one is too new to the team to contribute a good idea; never lower your goals; believe in yourself; trust your colleagues; and to be out front can be lonely and uncomfortable, but remember - the lead husky gets the best view.