The Power of Environment in Training & Team Development
Featuring insights from Colin Yeow of Emergenetics and Evon Blomstedt, Founder & Group CEO of HUONE
Beyond the Boardroom: Why Step Out of the Office
Many companies default to holding internal meetings or workshops in their own offices—it’s convenient, familiar, and cost-effective. But is it the best choice?
Colin, Regional Director of Emergenetics Asia Pacific, puts it simply:
“It saves cost—but at what cost?”
Offices come with a fixed mindset: tasks, meetings, to-dos. They’re not designed to spark new or transformative ideas, collaboration- when your goal is creativity, connection, or behavior change, the same space where you ‘do the work’ every day just won’t cut it.
Why HUONE? A Venue That Thinks Like You Do
Emergenetics, an organisation that helps people and teams understand how they think, behave, and work together, has used HUONE as its go-to training venue in Singapore. Why? Because HUONE gets it.
“We’re in the business of understanding how people think and behave
“So our venue needs to support maximum learning and maximum engagement. HUONE ticks most boxes within our budget” says Colin.
From practical thinkers who need good chairs and functional layouts, to those who value ambiance, colour, and feeling—HUONE appeals to all learning preferences. And all without the price tag of a five-star hotel.
Learning Spaces Built for Real People
Evon, the founder of HUONE, explained that every HUONE room is intentionally designed with a purpose. Colour, layout, lighting, and themes are chosen to shift people out of “work mode” and into curiosity, reflection, and collaboration.
“Sometimes the spaces even make people uncomfortable at first. But that’s part of it. The shift in environment opens the door to a shift in thinking,”
The Science Behind Engagement
Emergenetics workshops are based on a psychometric instrument that identifies people’s thinking and behavioural preferences. Some people learn best by listening. Others by doing. Some need structure; others need freedom to explore.
Colin shared that their sessions can’t be only slides or only activities. The environment and format must reflect the diversity of the people in the room. “That’s why venue matters. You need a space that can adapt to different needs,” he says.
Bringing Teams Together is Both Art and Science
When a company books an Emergenetics workshop, they want their people to walk away with more self-awareness and better team dynamics. But that transformation doesn’t happen in a vacuum. The space, the light, the energy of the room—it all matters.
Evon says: “Creating the right environment is like setting a stage. You don’t just want people to show up. You want them to show up differently.” HUONE provides the backdrop. Emergenetics provides the method. Together, they create learning experiences that stick.
Whether you’re hosting a leadership training, a team retreat, or a strategy session—ask yourself: does your venue support your goal? Because in the end, where you meet shapes how you meet.