Stenik Teambuilding 2024 in Dobrinishte, Ruskovets: Cohesion, unforgettable emotions and motivation

19.12.2024

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Stenik Teambuilding 2024 in Dobrinishte, Ruskovets: Cohesion, unforgettable emotions and motivation

In mid-December, the Stenik team gathered for an unforgettable team-building event at the "Ruskovets" complex in Dobrinishte. This event, filled with inspiration, energy, and joyful moments, marked a significant year for the company – our 20th anniversary.

A Motivating Start – Sky is the Limit!

Early Friday morning, we departed from Sofia, full of enthusiasm and anticipation for the upcoming gathering. After arriving at the "Ruskovets" complex and taking a short break, we gathered in the conference hall for the first part of our program – a motivational meeting dedicated to team bonding and inspiration.

Games for Unity and Fun

We kicked off with fun icebreaker games designed to energize us and make the atmosphere even more enjoyable.

Icebreaker: “Get to Know Me”

In the first game, “Get to Know Me,” we answered five questions to learn more about each other. It was fascinating to discover that many colleagues’ favorite movie is "Gladiator," a symbol of strength, overcoming challenges, determination, and victory – qualities we demonstrate daily in our work. We also learned that a large part of the team would like to enhance their programming and AI skills in just one day – a testament to the team’s ambition and drive for innovation, optimization, and productivity.

"T-Shirt Relay"

The second game literally got everyone moving. We called it the "T-Shirt Relay." We divided into two teams with equal numbers of participants.
The teams lined up in two columns, with project managers Lyubo and Svetlio acting as referees. They had to put a T-shirt on each team member, passing it down the line from one participant to the next. At first glance, the task seemed easy, but it turned out to be a real test of coordination and speed.

winter-team-building-2024-dobrinishte

The referees’ agility was crucial as they faced additional “challenges” – uncontrollable laughter, dynamic movements, unexpectedly long arms of teammates, and even T-shirts with a mind of their own.
Lyubo’s team demonstrated exceptional speed and coordination, earning a convincing victory. But the most important outcome was the laughter and warm-up we all shared.

A look back and setting new horizons

Panel 1: Stefan Chorbanov - “20 Years of Journeying Together”

The program began with an inspiring presentation by Stenik co-founder Stefan Chorbanov, who took us back in time, sharing the company’s story. He described Stenik's growth as a voyage across open seas, marked by key moments, bold decisions, and overcoming challenges.

Stefan reminded us of the company’s early steps – starting with a small team and big dreams. Over time, we faced difficulties but always adapted and moved forward, guided by a clear vision for the future.

The team, though evolving over the years, has always acted as a united crew steering the ship toward a dream island. He emphasized that our team is our greatest strength – united, motivated, and determined. The oars are in our hands, and the compass is our mission to create and adapt technological and eCommerce solutions that make merchants (our clients) more competitive in the digital economy.
At the end of his speech, Stefan inspired us to continue growing, keep our sails high, and strive for new horizons – together as one crew.

Panel 2: Dimitar Dimitrov - New goals and focus on technological advancement, eCommerce solutions, and AI

Dimitar Dimitrov outlined some of our goals for the upcoming year, focusing on the next cycle of our "infinite game" – the vision and efforts that continually drive us forward. Looking toward 2025, he emphasized that we will work on implementing accumulated knowledge and ambitions related to automation, workflow optimization, technological advancement, and increasingly incorporating AI into our work processes. Of course, there will be new projects and improvements to the solutions we offer.
Cypho 2.0, UX (User Experience) enhancements for better speed and convenience, new projects, mobile apps and their use in loyalty programs, a focus on security – for both clients and internal corporate processes, and more optimized project management.

Dimitar concluded with gratitude and motivation for the upcoming year, noting that it will bring even greater opportunities.

Panel 3: Svetlozar Valchev - 10 Years of loyalty and work at Stenik

“Happiness is not a final goal but a path we walk together.”
– Svetlozar Valchev, on his 10 years at Stenik

One of the most inspiring moments of the team-building event was Svetlozar Valchev’s speech. Having been an integral part of Stenik for 10 years, his personal story and dedication reminded us that loyalty, diligence, and passion for work are the main drivers of success in one’s career.
Svetlio began with a brief reflection on his journey at Stenik, which started in 2014 – a significant period for the company, marked by the transition to eCommerce. He shared how, as a young and ambitious team member, he took his first steps in the company. With a smile, he recalled the challenges he faced along the way and how they shaped him both professionally and personally.

“At Stenik, I found not just colleagues but friends who are always ready to help and fight together for the success of every project,” shared Svetlio.

As a long-standing PM, he highlighted that the most valuable resource for him over the years has been the invaluable support he received from the team. “Here, I found not just colleagues but friends with whom we overcome challenges and celebrate successes. That’s what motivates me for 10 years now,” he added.
His emotional account also touched on what it means to be part of a company where 50% of the team has worked for a decade. “This isn’t just a job – it’s a community that inspires you to be better every day,” he said.
In conclusion, Svetlio delivered an inspiring message to the team:

“We have the strategy, the people, the resources, and the capacity to launch Stenik not just to the top but to space. Because for us, the sky is no longer the limit.”

These words were met with thunderous applause, and many colleagues later shared that they felt energized and motivated by his speech. He reminded everyone that Stenik’s success is fundamentally built on its people – their dedication, hard work, and passion for what they do.

The Surprise: A Gift from Stenik’s Clients for the 20th Anniversary

The emotions of the team-building event peaked when Dobi Parvova presented a special surprise – a heartfelt video with congratulations and wishes from our clients on Stenik’s 20th anniversary. This valuable gift demonstrated the strong connection built with our clients over the years and made us proud of our achievements.

Our clients expressed their gratitude for the professionalism and dedication of the team, emphasizing the quality of our services and our ability to understand their needs. Each message was a recognition of our efforts and proof that we work not only for results but also to build lasting relationships based on trust and respect.

This moment inspired us to continue growing so we can support our clients in their development and digital journey.

The day ended with a festive dinner at the "Babuch" tavern, where we also celebrated Stefan Chorbanov's birthday. There was dancing, toasts, smiles, and plenty of emotions. Stefan surprised us with a sweet treat – a cupcake cake made by our clients, Take a Cake. And thus, the cherry on top was set.

Day Two: harmony with nature and awards

Saturday began with a walk to the chapel "St. Cosmas and Damian." Surrounded by nature, we recharged with energy, breathed fresh mountain air, and enjoyed the peace and tranquility.
The afternoon was spent relaxing, playing games, and having pleasant conversations. SPA treatments and board games created a cozy and friendly atmosphere.

Gifts for Stenik’s little heroes

The Christmas spirit took over everyone as our colleague Maggie distributed gifts for the children of our team members on behalf of Stenik. It was a special moment that brought warmth and smiles to everyone.

After that, the team returned the gesture by surprising the management with Christmas gifts and presenting a special birthday gift to Stefan.

Stenik Awards 2024 #WeKnowWhyWeDoIt

The highlight of the event was the announcement of the winners of the "Stenik Awards 2024." This year, we decided to change the format and involved the team in the process through voting. Based on the collected votes, the winners were determined and received their certificates amid loud applause. The categories in which colleagues were recognized were interesting and determined by the management:

The Cashflow Guru, Problem Solver, Team Spirit Champion & Above and Beyond, The Creative Spirit, Mentor of the Year, Multitasker of the Year, The Rock of Stenik, The P1 Fixer, Master of Estimation, Rookie of the Year, PM of the Year, FE Dev of the Year, BE Dev of the Year, The Shadow Fighter, Inspirational Performance, Master of Patience, Best Collaboration

With these awards, the entire Stenik team expresses recognition and gratitude for the dedication, hard work, and commitment of the awardees. Thank you for the inspiration you bring and for being part of the Stenik family!

From Stenik's Memories

At the end of this emotional gathering, we explored an archive of photos spanning various periods from Stenik's founding to the present. This journey through time allowed us to see the chronology of events – from the beginning, through developmental stages, to the present. It was very interesting and fun to look through these memories.
For some of us, it was an opportunity to relive funny and exciting moments, while for new team members, it was a chance to get acquainted with the past and amusing moments of the team, such as previous team-building events. The archive reminded us that every success and challenge is part of the journey that has brought us to where we are today.
The day concluded with more fun – board games, card games, and backgammon, conversations over drinks, and lots of laughter. One of the board games that charged us with good mood was "Activity." It began with dividing participants into four teams of three people each. Each team engaged in the game, using skills in explaining, drawing, and acting out in pantomime.

The tension and excitement were palpable, but the team of Lara, Nikolay Nedyalkov, and Maggie managed to dominate, despite the closely contested finale. Lara impressed everyone with her ability to draw complex concepts, Nikolay showed talent in pantomime, effortlessly and humorously conveying even the most complex associations. Maggie demonstrated skills in explaining words and deciphering associations for her team.
In the evening, we enjoyed a delicious dinner at the hotel, raised toasts, and had great conversations.

Summary and thanks

Sunday was a day for reflection and gratitude. Before heading back to Sofia, we all expressed our appreciation for the entire organization and for being part of such an inspiring and united team. The team-building event in Ruskovets was yet another proof that we can have a great time together.
We thank all colleagues for the shared moments, emotions, and smiles, as well as the team of the "Ruskovets" complex for the excellent conditions, service, and hospitality. The friendly staff created a cozy atmosphere and made our stay even more enjoyable and memorable.
As Stefan, Nikolay, and Dimitar said, over the last 20 years, we have built not just a company but a real family. With this strong foundation, our future looks even more promising, filled with new opportunities and potential successes! We look forward to our next gathering to create unforgettable memories.

About the author:

dobi-author-photo Dobi Parvova

Dobi Parvova works as a Marketing Manager at Stenik. She joined the team in 2015, having completed her degrees in "Public Relations" and "Advertising and Public Communications" at Sofia University. She channels her entire creative potential into areas such as PR, content & creative, corporate communications, social media, partner relations, and client.

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