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Wine is an integral part of the Fluidity approach.  We think of it as a 'Learning Lubricant'. It's core to delivering memorable, enduring learning which goes beyond acquiring competencies.  Here are just a few of the reasons: It’s effective It has been proved that there is no better way to reinforce learning than through experience and linking it with a different area of interest to the learner It’s interesting There is a huge breadth of potential linkages between wine and management It’s useful Becoming a bit more knowledgeable about wine is a useful skill for managers as people (and networkers).  Less staring blankly at the wine list; more confidence in ordering wine. It fits Using wine responsibly in training fits with how we see the kind of manager we’re trying to develop – confident, grown-up, thinking across boundaries and well rounded – looking for and using insights from anywhere to deliver in a changing world It’s not unenjoyable Our approach is that wine can be serious rather than that management is fun – but equally, there’s no harm in enjoying the serious stuff		© 2007 Fluidity		Using wine to lubricate learning can raise eyebrows and questions.  Here are some of the answers. Is this just a drinking session? Definitely not.  Some of the sessions do involve tasting – and the experiential learning is very powerful.  But we use wine in all kinds of ways beyond taste (see below).  We are also careful to ensure that where we are using taste, participants do taste rather than swig.  At the client’s discretion, most of our programmes can involve a dinner or reception – either before or after the programme – at which the participants can enjoy the wines used on the course. We are supporters of the Movement for Responsible Drinking. Do I need to know anything about wine? No.  Our activities require no prior knowledge of wine. And nor will being an expert make much of a difference.  Wine lubricates management development on our programmes; what you learn about wine is a happy by-product. In fact, a broad mix of wine knowledge within a group is often the best situation.  Exactly how do you use wine? In any way we think of that will be effective in lubricating learning. Experientially through tasting; as a metaphor; as a basis for role play.  We use the artefacts of the industry and we use case studies.  Our programmes fluidly adapt to specific client needs, so we're always inventing new ways to use wine. We’ve not found a reason to use treading grapes within a programme; but it’s only a matter of time... I don't drink alcohol.  Am I excluded? This is a hard one.  We fully respect anyone who chooses not to drink.  It is feasible to participate in a Fluidity programme without drinking – all of the tasting activities have a non-drinkers’ option. However, you’d probably find the learning experience less powerful and the incidental wine learning less interesting.