Important Dates FAQs
Q:When does the GCC start and end?
A:Kicks off Thursday May 20, 2010 and concludes on September 7, 2010.
Q:How long is this?
Q:When do registrations close?
A:Registrations close on May 12, 2010. This is so your Team Captains receive your team's starter packs (your load of free goodies) in time to begin the event. GCC has sold out in previous years and many companies have unfortunately missed out, so we recommend getting your teams in as early as you can. If we still have availability we will accept registrations after this date and even after the GCC begins, but we can't guarantee you a spot and you might be left waving goodbye at the airport. Please also note that if you register after May 12 we cannot guarantee starter pack delivery will occur by May 20.
Q:When do I receive my GCC Starter Pack?
A:If your organisation had confirmed your teams prior to May 12, your GCC Starter Pack will be delivered to your Team Captain prior to May 20. If your organisation's team(s) were registered and confirmed after May 12, the GCC will do everything short of buying its own fleet of courier motorcycles and trained delivery owls to have the packs delivered prior to May 20, however it cannot be guaranteed.
Registration FAQs
Q:How much does it cost to register?
A:For the GCC registration cost for each region, please refer to the Registration & Fees section. Please note that invoices are raised and payments are received by team total(s) only and not for or by individual participants.
Q:Can people in different offices, states and countries take part in the GCC?
A:Absolutely – anyone in the world can take part in the GCC. They just need internet access. In fact, that's one of the great GCC benefits – you don't need to even work in the same hemisphere as teammates and Roy from your Arctic Circle Accounts Outpost doesn't need to miss out either. But please keep in mind that invoices cannot be split and they will be issued in the currency of the country that the Team Captain is located in, even if the team consists of participants from around the world. .
Q:If I am the Team Manager for my organisation, what happens if I have an uneven number of people to register?
A:The GCC can only accept teams of seven. If someone pulls out it is required that the person be replaced via the Team Manager Site so the team is not disadvantaged. The replacement will 'inherit' the previous participant's entered steps prior to the change (but thankfully not their shoes).
Q:Can we make changes to the team members once I register them?
Q:When is payment due?
A:To confirm your teams that have been registered, you need to confirm them online via your access to the Team Manager Site. Teams can be confirmed through online credit card payment, or by generating an invoice that will be due within 14 days of the invoice date. All payment instructions can be found on the invoice. Your teams' places in the GCC are not locked away until you confirm your teams online via the above 2 options.
Q:What else can our organisation do to make this event even better?
A:There is no doubt that, "the more you put in, the more you get out". Over the last five years, organisations have done a whole range of GCC enhancing activities. Here are some great examples:
- Holding a launch, mid event or finish BBQ
- Weekly updates on the results and progress in company newsletters or on your intrane
- Putting forward incentives to get people walking more
- Walking events at lunch time or even the weekend
- Celebrations themed to locations
More ideas will be available on the Team Manager site throughout the challengeand all Team Managers will have access to the 2010 Playbook – a million and one(or thereabouts, we haven't actually counted) ideas for enhancing your experienceof the event.
Common Participant FAQs
Q:When do I wear my pedometer, do I just wear it at work?
A:All the time (except in bed and when you shower or swim...or have a bath...spa...actually any water submersion).Every step counts including aerobics, running, dog walking, cross trainers & treadmills in the gym and the list goes on. From when you get up, to when you go to sleep, the pedometer is with you.
Q:If I do other physical activity apart from walking e.g. Horse riding …can I be allocated steps for these activities?
A:We understand that people undertake a wide variety of physical activities that range from horse-riding to surfing. All are fantastic for staying active, keeping the heart healthy and indeed many fulfil the government's physical activity recommendations of 30-minutes of moderate intensity activity on most if not all days of the week. The GCC encourage all types of activity as part of an active and healthy lifestyle however it doesn't allocate steps to people for participating in these activities.
If a person decides to keep the pedometer on during other activity, and it is safe to do so, then the reading on the pedometer will stand. For example many participants have worn their pedometer during basketball, soccer, martial arts, aerobics, and yoga classes, and recorded steps.
The management at GCC do not allow people to self allocate steps after say a 1-hour Greco-roman wrestling bout. One of the main constructs of the GCC is to get busy, working people to become more 'incidentally active'. Essentially this means we want busy working people to be more active during their working day as this is where research has shown people may sit for 6-8 hours and potentiate chronic disease. All exercise is great but don't look at it as 'missing steps you deserve' but as an overall increase in your activity levels.
Q:Can I buy an extra pedometer if I lose or break both of mine?
A:If you need to purchase another GCC pedometer because you have lost or broken both of yours that you were provided with at the beginning of the challenge, please email pedometer@gettheworldmoving.com with the quantity of pedometers required and someone from the GCC will be in touch with you to confirm your order. Payment of your pedometer order can only be made by credit card prior to your order being mailed out to you.
For further Pedometer FAQ's please refer to the Pedometer section on this website.
Q:Will I ever need to replace the battery in my GCC Pedometer? What do I do with the old battery that I remove?
A:Your GCC pedometer is fitted with an Alkaline Coin LR1130 battery inside (a battery based on Lithium - Li). This battery is built to last the full duration of the event however at some point in the future; this battery will come to the end of its usable life. If this happens, a replacement LR1130 battery can be purchased very easily and can be fitted by unscrewing the two small screws on the reverse of your pedometer. It is however important that your old battery is disposed in an environmentally correct manner. Although this differs by country and region, many local authorities participate in a battery collection scheme so the GCC advises that you contact your local authority to seek their advice on the local provisions for the safe disposal of old batteries.
The GCC is also pleased to help with the safe recycling of old batteries and would encourage you to send any old GCC batteries to the following addresses:
European participants – Please send to Live Active Ltd, York Eco Business Centre, Amy Johnson Way, YO30 4AG, United Kingdom
Southern Hemisphere/Asia participants – Please send to Global Corporate Challenge, PO Box 427, St Kilda, VIC, 3182, Australia
North American participants – Please send to Global Corporate Challenge, 2711 N. Sepulveda Blvd. #158, Manhattan Beach, CA, 90266, United States of America.
Step Entry & Website FAQs
Q:I know the GCC begins on May 20, 2010 but when do I enter my first step count?
A:The Step Entry function works in a way where you are always entering steps for the previous day. You will notice on May 20 that the Step Entry function will be disabled. It will only be enabled when the clock ticks (or hums) over to May 21 in your registered time zone. It is then recommended that on the morning of May 21 when you get to work you enter your first step count for the first 24 hour period of the GCC (which is May 20). Then on the morning of May 22 you will be entering your step count for May 21, and so on.
Q:What happens if I ride a bike regularly rather than walking?
A:There is an option to enter the daily Kms/Miles you have ridden on your bike (not motorbike, that's not really classed as exercise...unless it runs out of petrol). This distance is converted to a step amount (using the following calculation; 1km/.6miles walking=1563 steps = 4km/2.5miles cycling) and then Kms/Miles walked on the map.
Q:What happens if I regularly take part in a spin class?
A:A further extension has been made to cyclists participating in the GCC with 'Spin/cycle classes'. Given an estimation of a one hour spin class equates to 20 miles or 32km.Therefore a spin class is allocated 12,500 steps. So if you have taken part in a 1 hour spin class you can add 12,500 steps to your daily step count.
Q:What happens if I regularly swim?
A:There is an option to enter the daily metres/yards you have swum in a swimming pool, ocean etc. This distance is converted to a step amount (using the following calculation; 1km/.6miles swimming = 4,750 steps) and then metres/yards walked on the map. This is based on a 1km swim generally taking 30 minutes to complete.
Q:I have restricted mobility and/or am wheelchair bound– can I still take part in the GCC?
A:The GCC prides itself on being an event that everyone can be involved in. So when it comes to people with restricted mobility we encourage participants to join their fellow teammates and wear a GCC pedometer.
If you are a wheelchair bound participant we recommend that you fit an odometer to your wheel and use the following equation - 1 meter equals three steps.
If you are unable to utilize an odometer on your wheelchair and use the above step conversion, please contact the GCC for further information and clarification on how to record steps – admin@gettheworldmoving.com.
Q:Do I have to enter my steps in every day?
A:GCC recommends that you enter your steps every day to allow a steady journey throughout the GCC course, and to allow for your team statistics to be a true and up to date reflection of your performance. However, we understand that it isn't always possible to enter your step counts every day (i.e. if it is a weekend, if you are on leave, if you are on a business trip etc). So, simply keep a manual record of your daily step counts and the next time you log in to the GCC website you will be able to view all the days that you have missed step entries for. You can then submit these missing steps in one go via the Step Entry section on the website. It can be frustrating for teammates if you 'save up' these entries for too long so be mindful of their experience of the course as well.
Q:Can anyone else see my step entries?
A:No-one else in your team (including your team captain) can review your step entries. The only people that can see your step entries are your Team Manager (who has access to download statistics and reports on your organisation's and fellow participants progress) and also the management at GCC have access to all participant step entries. The only information about your personal steps that your team captain and other team members will be able to view is how many missed step entries you have. These missed step entries are visible via your Team Profile page on the GCC website.
Q:Why can't I view other participants step entries and why can't they view mine?
A:The Global Corporate Challenge® (GCC) is a team based physical activity challenge that encourages people of all ages and walks of life to be more active. There are a number of reasons that individual step entries are not made available to a wider audience:
- The GCC is a health and wellbeing program and not a race – even if companies often create a healthy competitiveness. We are all about trying to develop a healthy habit in people.
- The GCC is put in place to combat sedentary health behaviours prevalent in the white-collar workplace – i.e. the triple threat – longer workdays, jobs that are more sedentary, and less exercise. All of which contribute to cardio vascular diseases, Type II diabetes and hypertension – all preventable.
- We have people who vary greatly in the challenge. For those who are quite inactive they will increase their steps at their own pace – not necessarily their teams'. Consistent improvement relative to a participants starting level is the key indicator of effort.
- The challenge will become detrimental to these people until they feel confident in themselves to increase their activity.
- We have found that pressure can work in reverse for the very people who need the program the most.
- Even by having a function where participants can elect to show their results will be detrimental. Imagine being the one person in a team who doesn't want their results to be seen, how would they feel?
Q:I have misplaced my log in details to the GCC site, how do I log in?
A:Click on Forgot Password on the homepage (below the log in boxes). You will then be prompted to fill out your registered email address, which will then enable for an email to be sent to you with your username and password. Alternatively if this isn’t possible, please ask your Team Captain for your log in details, which they can access via the GCC Team Manager website.
Q:Can I only enter my steps via the GCC website, or is there another way?
A:Another way that your steps can be entered is via SMS. When logged into the GCC website, details on the SMS function and how to set it up can be found on the Step Entry page. Once you have set up the SMS function, it would be recommended to test it has registered correctly with your next step entry. If you log into the GCC website after your SMS has been sent, if registered correctly, your step count will now appear on the Step Entry page for the selected day.
You can also use our mobile site, for more information click the link at the bottom of the page.
Q:I sent an SMS with my step count; however it hasn't appeared on the GCC website? What can I do?
A:If your SMS step count hasn't appeared on the GCC site it is very likely because you have missed a step in the set-up process or entered something incorrectly. Please review the SMS function instructions again, make the necessary changes and send the SMS again. If the problem still cannot be resolved please email smsenquiry@gettheworldmoving.com.
Q:What if I can't enter my steps because I cannot access a computer or SMS at some stage throughout the GCC?
A:It is recommended that you keep a manual record of your daily step counts throughout this time. It doesn't matter if you write them down, carve them into a stick or get a daily tattoo (although this may look a bit funny and would probably hurt), just keep a record somewhere. When you next have access to the GCC website go to the Step Entry section where you will be provided with a list of the days that you have missed step entries for. You can then type in all your daily step entries and submit them all in the one go. You will not be penalised in any way.
Q:Can we choose our own team names?
A:Once the GCC website is launched in May, teams will be able to change names, upload their photos and add content whenever they like.
Q:I have heard about The Footprint Initiative®, when and how will we be able to donate?
A:The Footprint Initiative® is an important program of the GCC that educates and supports participants to make a 'global difference' through their GCC participation. On the GCC website and throughout the GCC course you will be provided with an opportunity to donate to The Footprint Initiative® project. As a participant you will also receive regular updates through our weekly E-Newsletters. For further information on its background and the achievements made in 2008 & 2009 please visit http://www.gettheworldmoving.com/howthegccworks/footprintinitiative.aspx.
Q:Are there prizes?
A:The GCC is all about the journey not the destination; this means that while you may choose to run the event internally as a competition, we do not treat it as such. Thanks to our sponsors, we give away random weekly prizes to reward participation and for keeping step entries up to date but the main rewards of the GCC are health and wellbeing (probably the most valuable prize of all).
Q:What happens if a team completes the course before Tuesday September 7, 2010?
A:OK, 'well done' for starters. Secondly, in the event that a team completes the course before the finishing date of Tuesday September 7, 2010, they will be awarded the GCC Most Active Team. However, this does not mean that the GCC finishes. All teams are to continue as normal, until the finishing date of Tuesday September 7, 2010. If no team completes the entire course by the finish date, then the team who has covered the greatest distance will be awarded the GCC Most Active Team.
Q:Is there a prize for being the first team to cross the finish line?
A:More acknowledgement than a prize. The first team (of seven people) to complete the 2010 course within the designated time period (Thursday May 20, 2010 – Tuesday September 7, 2010) will be awarded the GCC Most Active Team. A GCC Trophy will be presented to this Most Active Team. There will also be an award given to the Most Active Organisations in a variety of different categories. There will also be various 'random' prizes each week throughout the event from our main event sponsors. Anyone, in any team, at any position, with any step count can win these prizes, as long as you are up to date with your step counts!
Team Changes/Participant Replacement FAQs
Q:If I can no longer participate in the GCC, what do I need to do?
A:If you aren't able to take part for the remainder of the GCC e.g. due to illness, injury or work related changes, all you or your team need to do is find a replacement participant to take your position. The Team Captain has the ability to make the team change via the GCC website and provide the new participant with log in details. This participant will then continue on from your final step entry.
Q:I am going on holidays/leave for an extended period of time, do I need to hand my pedometer over to someone else to take my position or can I still participate even though I am not at work?
A:If you are going on holidays/leave and you will still be able to wear your pedometer and enter your steps you are allowed to continue to participate. If however you aren't able to wear your pedometer for the remainder of the GCC (because you are going on holidays to Atlantis or the International Space Station) it would be recommended that a replacement is found to take over your position in your team. Once you have found a replacement simply advise your Team Captain who will be able to make the change.
Q:I am ceasing employment with my current workplace shortly,do I need to find a replacement to take over my position in the GCC, or can I continue to participate?
A:It would be best to firstly consult your Team Manager. If your workplace is happy for you to continue to participate once you leave your current organisation, it is perfectly OK for you to continue to participate for the remainder of the GCC. It would be recommended that you update your email address however on the GCC website to ensure you continue to receive communications from the GCC.
If however your workplace would prefer for participants to be just from the organisation, you may be asked to find a replacement. Once you have done so, hand over your pedometer(s) (Olympic Torch style if you like) and request your Team Captain to make the replacement.
Q:Someone in my GCC team can no longer participate and we can't find anyone to take their position? Does my team have to have 7 people in it or can we continue with less than 7?
A:Every team in the GCC needs to have 7 participants to participate. If not, all the statistics will still work off a team of 7, so your team's statistics will suffer because of this. If you are unable to find a replacement within your workplace, GCC allows the position to be replaced with a family member, friend, colleague at another organisation etc. If you are unsure as to whether your organisation allows this, please check with your Team Manager or Team Captain.
Q:What happens if I am caught cheating?
A:Well, that's not a good thing. The GCC is about improving your health and it is an event based on personal integrity. We don't give away a new car to 'winners' so you're only cheating (and fooling) yourself.
Cheating is defined as:
- Shaking the pedometer manually to accumulate steps.
- Putting the pedometer on someone else to benefit your step count.
- Having a team of seven athletes or seven people who under the ethos of the GCC would be considered Athletes.
- Strapping the pedometer to a moving object other than yourself (cars, dogs, space shuttles etc.)
- Entering inflated or untrue step data.
- Resetting someone else's pedometer.
- Making a team member redundant and drafting what we would consider an Athlete.
- Jeopardising someone's pedometer which includes hiding it, or destroying it, swallowing it
Cheating will be looked at as a serious breach of the spirit of the event. Individuals found to be cheating will be penalised through their step entries, and the Organisation Team Manager will be made aware of the issue. If two or more members of the same team are found to be guilty of cheating then the team is withdrawn from the GCC and a letter will be sent to the organisation's CEO and Team Manager explaining why.
Contacting the GCC FAQs
Q:Global Corporate Challenge® Contacts
A:The GCC website is designed to answer any questions participants may have. If you need to contact GCC please go to the 'Contact Us' section. We reply within the working day throughout the week. However if you are outside a time zone of a GCC Regional Head Office this may seem to take longer. Contact details will be available on the GCC site throughout the challenge.
