Outside the Box

SOUTH TYROL, ITALY

Quiet, please.

Thanks.

So, Junior, the strategy part's OK,

but the key issues are mega-fuzzy.

You were briefed to give it traction with a high-end transformational deal.

High-end transformational?

Seriously, Schopner. Joking aside...

Good work. I can score with that.

You can score with it?

Yes, why?

Didn't you say I could keep this one?

Listen...

I said that I'd think about it and it's a possibility.

But it's a huge international project. Tough client, cash cow.

At least the strategy part?

I've really read up on the subject

The strategy part?

Yes. That's a possibility.

I'll think about it.

Yes? I told you the cash flow's gotta be higher.

Higher! What else?

Still, great work on the client presentation.

Top teamwork again. Seriously.

Keep it up.

Tell them five mils at 9.5 percent.

Anything below three: suck my dick!

Not literally. Wait, Meier...

Check this out!

Top Trumps with STDs. Awesome, huh?

How'd it go with Mr. Team Leader?

It was OK. - What did I tell you?

All-nighters always pay off.

Biggy, I'm on a call.

Lizzy's a no-go for Amex. Wait till she's reached puberty.

No!

You really pulled an all-nighter for that?

You don't even get five minutes quality time in this game.

But I think it's great that you put yourself out for the team.

Thanks.

Thanks a lot.

You're a self-confident, ambitious young woman.

Hello?

Fuck!

Sorry. These things barely last a couple of months.

Did you say something? - I just ran through my presentation...

Sweetie?

About that deal...

I'd steer clear of that one.

For sure.

Hi, Dad.

Michel Grandier, team leader at 33.

He rose through the ranks in record time.

Client acquisition is his big talent.

He brought home five large international projects last year alone.

In Sydney?

The Panda Club, for sure.

But they don't let any Average Joe in.

Yvonne von Geseke, 32, Senior Consultant.

She wrote her thesis with us on corporate social responsibility.

She's committed to social entrepreneurship.

Whatever they say, they won't get results if they don't connect with the people.

Human factor, that's it.

But that's just me, sweetie. How was Guatemala?

Marco Kretsch, Expert Consultant, 41.

Advises clients in outsourcing as a lateral entrant.

Anything but a streamliner. Let's call him an individualist.

No, no! I wanted a double sherry, not two.

How's that going to look?

Have we met before?

What?

Irregularities?

And last but not least:

Frederick Schopner, 29, Junior Consultant.

A fully committed team player.

Potential for improvement with regard to leadership skills.

Did you get my present?

Please don't feed the petit fours to the dog again, OK?

Happy birthday, Dad!

But how can Bickstein Consulting offer its clients the best solutions?

How can we optimize global corporations?

The answer is simple:

By assuring them that our consultants are the best.

Anyone know what this team event is about? - Hot stone massages, muesli.

The usual detox crap.

I think it's good timing for some team bonding.

A weekend like this as a team can be a real opportunity.

We'll learn a lot about each other.

The new Bickstein is innovative,

dynamic and oozing potential.

We're doing everything

to make our employees the top-tier people of tomorrow.

"There is no good, there's only better."

Esteemed colleagues from the press, thanks for coming,

I promise you that we haven't promised you too much.

What stunt are they pulling now?

Forget it. They're not allowed to say anything.

I told you: there's zero communication in this company.

What do you think about the new Fink consultancy rating, Mrs. Kramer?

Your competitors have passed you in all important categories.

That's what we're changing today.

Out!

What the hell is this?

Ladies and gentlemen,

welcome to the arena.

Where's the hot sto...? - Shut it! I'm talking here, not you.

I'm Drill Sergeant Mallach.

You will address me as "Sir".

Today, your office asses are mine.

Discipline, order and performance will prevail here.

Listen and show commitment.

Think and survive.

This is all about survival of the fittest.

Any questions?

Are you one of the Village People?

Get changed, asshole.

I'm not wearing that, it's synthetic.

Say that again to your head of human resources, Mr. Kraußmann.

Everything you say will be recorded.

So be careful who you bitch about.

And now wave to the camera.

Ms. Kramer from PR needs some nice photos.

Hurry up, Samy. I don't want to miss a second.

Of course, Mr. Bickstein. Almost got it.

Hey, does your gear fit you?

This is degrading.

What about our privacy? - Well, Yvonne...

You have to show some flexibility. - A t least they're investing in us.

Welcome to the command center.

The participants are observed and analyzed from here.

Are the suit cameras on, Paul?

Yes.

May I introduce our HR manager and psychologist Dr. Peter Kraußmann.

The project was developed and successfully tested under his supervision.

We developed it together.

So...

Your world is a fight for survival.

Brutal, merciless, relentless.

A project can be a minefield.

Clients are decisive in warfare...

Pronto, Meier, I'm looking at a tight timeframe.

Enough of your office jargon, you pen-pushers.

Cell phones in the bag.

I have to go.

I have a tough client right now. I have to be available 24/7.

Legs apart.

It's a cell phone.

He's a Junior.

They only get one.

I honestly only have one.

Let's get moving, you pussies.

"There is no good..."

Come on!

" There's only better."

That's it.

And good athletes make good managers?

This is just the warm-up.

So, prisoners of war.

You have ten minutes to get out of the dungeon before your oxygen runs out.

As any baby can do this, you have to blow into the whistle before speaking.

Here's an opening.

Brilliant. Time is ticking. Let's go, go, go!

It's about pushing their personal limits.

The Garden of Ambition?

Aren't you all high flyers? - And this is our career ladder?

We test their conflict management,

stress tolerance and ability to work in a team.

Let's speed it up, I'm getting claustrophobic.

Stop, stop. It's this way.

Michel, wait. We have to stay together.

We reveal weaknesses as well as unsuspected strengths.

At this rate, it'll take till lunch to reach the top.

We're investigating group dynamics.

Can someone please help me?

This is a team event. We're supposed to work together.

I agree.

Then get a good hold of the ladder, it's wobbling too much.

Ouch, my fatty liver.

Our technicians will edit the stream live. So take a seat in the lounge.

Let's have a look.

The guy from BUIZ is a tough nut.

Come on, Marco.

We'll get him.

Christ!

Twelve minutes.

You agonizingly choked to death in there.

Imagine you're all in a boat

far out at sea.

Watch this, Samy. Doesn't it interest you at all?

There's one problem:

You're too heavy, it could sink.

One of you has to get off.

Decide between yourselves who that is.

OK, nice and quick, I'm hungry.

Expert Consultant.

Team Leader.

Senior Consultant.

Powerpoint Rat.

Not bad.

Well?