How to Plan a Memorable Corporate Retreat
Get the most out of your company budget with these expert tips on planning a memorable team outing!
We love remote-friendly work: easier juggling of responsibilities. More exercise. Less commuting. More life-moments captured. Being there for your friends or family that are struggling. Achieving more. But…, it can be lonely. You have to be disciplined with your time. And there are some more divergent thinking tasks which it doesn’t suit as well.
For example, in an experiment held by Stanford Business graduates, Melanie S. Brucks and Jonathan Levav, regarding creative idea generation, in-person team activities tended to generate around 15% more ideas compared to virtual teams.
At Agile on the Beach recently, we saw Bloom and Wild talk about how they use convergent or divergent thinking to help them consider when and where to get their teams together, and to identify when IRL matters.
As with Bloom and Wild and their squads assemble quarterly get-togethers, the best teams provide their employees with spaces for creativity and innovation.
It's essential to strike the right balance between relaxation and work, and one way to do it is to plan a team outing. Team outings, retreats, and company offsites are the ultimate solution to foster camaraderie and boost employee morale. And the good news is, they don’t have to be the terrible old world of team building that we all love to hate.
Instead, corporate retreats can leave all your employees buzzing with excitement, boost their enjoyment and create new connections with fellow teammates. It’s essential to plan exciting moments that’ll create new memories for your team.
Our article will give you 5 tips (with a few tricks!) for creating a corporate retreat that stands out from the rest!
1.Don't overpack the itinerary
A company retreat is a great opportunity to bring your employees together in a relaxed and informal setting. However, more often than not, companies have a tendency to cram every activity they could think of into one schedule. This will usually result in cognitive overload in employees, which negatively affects their learning ability and can make them feel trapped.
Having a well-planned agenda is important, but be cautious not to fill every minute with activities and sessions. Leave some gaps in the schedule to give employees the chance to socialise and connect. It is important to give your employees room to breathe and allow them to build connections organically during this time.
Here are a few tricks to achieve this:
Provide free time
Schedule some unstructured time during the team outing where employees can choose what they want to do. This allows for spontaneous conversations and bonding to happen naturally, and to allow all members of your team, including those that are neuro-diverse, to recharge.
Create casual spaces
Set up comfortable lounges or outdoor areas where employees can relax, chat, and socialise during breaks. These spaces should foster a casual atmosphere conducive to building connections.
Remember, connection and relationships cannot be forced or rushed. By providing the space and time for employees to relax and interact naturally, you allow them to build genuine connections during the team retreat.
2.Combine fun and function
Creating a memorable company offsite also means combining fun and function. According to a study by the Social Market Foundation, individuals who had been given refreshments (or “happiness shocks”) had productivity levels increased to as high as 20%. In addition, companies that have happy employees have realised that this leads to increased productivity and happier clients, which is profitable for the company.
However, while having enjoyable fun activities during the team outing is crucial, it's equally important to incorporate elements that directly contribute to achieving your team's objectives. This could involve interactive workshops, activities and challenges, or even brainstorming sessions in an inspiring environment.
There are many ways for your employees to experience great fun and learn from the experience. If you need some help in planning, WorkTripp®️ provides various team programmes suited to your company’s needs. Remember, by blending entertainment and purpose, you can ensure that your team offsite becomes more than just a weekend getaway. Tackle work tasks with a twist of enjoyment. Gamify it!
3.Seek team input
Team input is the key to successful company planning. This includes team outings. Do a pre-event engagement by asking the participants for group activity ideas. Seeking input from your team is a surefire way to guarantee a successful offsite. Encourage your employees to contribute their ideas and preferences, as this will lead to a more inclusive and engaging experience.
To execute a pre-event engagement and gather group activity ideas from participants, consider the following steps:
Communicate the purpose
Explain to your team why you are looking for their input and the importance of their contributions. Make it clear that their ideas and suggestions will have a direct impact on the success of the team outing.
Encourage discussion and collaboration
Create an environment where employees can dialogue and build upon each other's ideas. This can be done through an online forum, group chats, or dedicated brainstorming sessions.
Acknowledge contributions
Show appreciation for every idea submitted, regardless of its feasibility or practicality. Validating the efforts of participants will increase their motivation and willingness to contribute further.
Share the plan
Inform the team about the chosen activities and how their ideas influenced the planning process. This will reinforce their sense of ownership and enthusiasm for the upcoming team offsite event.
Remember, by involving the team in the planning process, they will feel valued and invested in the outcome, increasing their motivation and enthusiasm. This will also build excitement and the team will look forward to the activities!
4.Choose a specific theme
Another essential aspect of planning an unforgettable company retreat is choosing a specific theme that resonates with your company's values and goals. This will help create a cohesive and immersive experience for your team, allowing them to embrace the offsite's objectives fully. They probably won't remember the date they went, and they won't remember the name of the hotel, but they will for sure remember the theme.
5.Bond with boundaries
Remember that bonding with boundaries is critical. While team unity and collaboration are the ultimate goals, it's crucial to respect personal boundaries and ensure everyone feels comfortable. Going on a fun team outing with activities but also individual free time will allow team members to connect on a deeper level while respecting their personal space.
While we are all for in-person huddles, we must remember that each person has their limit and preference. Schedule for solo exploration or free time so nobody will feel forced in or left out.
Conclusion
In summary, planning an unforgettable corporate retreat involves a lot of key factors. WorkTripp®️ acknowledges the importance of good retreat planning and offers programs tailored to your company’s needs. Let WorkTripp®️ help you ease your pain by helping in creating a unique and impactful retreat experience that leaves a lasting impression on your team. Remember, going on an impactful team outing is necessary for a successful team.
Not only does it boost motivation, productivity, and employee satisfaction, but also it strengthens relationships, promotes collaboration, and reinforces a sense of belonging within the company. So, embrace these principles and prepare for a remarkable retreat that will bring your team closer and ignite their enthusiasm for future endeavours.
TL;DR
Why is it important to strike a balance between relaxation and work during a corporate retreat?
Striking a balance ensures that employees have an enjoyable and productive experience. It prevents cognitive overload, enhances learning ability, and allows for organic connections to be formed among team members.
How can planning an unforgettable corporate retreat benefit the team?
Going on a well-planned team outing can boost team motivation and productivity, create lasting memories, enhance employee satisfaction, and strengthen relationships among team members. It provides a valuable opportunity for growth and rejuvenation.
What is the significance of leaving gaps in the retreat schedule?
Leaving gaps in the schedule provides employees with free time to socialise and connect. It allows for spontaneous conversations and bonding to happen naturally, fostering genuine connections.
How can fun and function be combined in a corporate retreat?
Incorporating enjoyable activities alongside elements that directly contribute to achieving team objectives is crucial. This could involve interactive workshops, challenges, or brainstorming sessions in an inspiring environment. Gamifying work tasks can also add a twist of enjoyment.
How can team input be sought for planning a corporate retreat?
Seeking input from team members ensures a successful and engaging offsite. This can be done by communicating the purpose, encouraging discussion and collaboration, acknowledging contributions, and sharing the plan with the team to reinforce their sense of ownership and enthusiasm.
Why is choosing a specific theme important for a corporate retreat?
Selecting a theme that resonates with your company's values and goals helps create a cohesive and immersive experience for the team. It enhances the overall impact of the offsite and makes it more memorable for the participants going on the team build event.
How can personal boundaries be respected during a corporate retreat?
While fostering team unity is important, it's crucial to respect personal boundaries and ensure everyone feels comfortable. Balancing team activities with individual free time allows team members to connect on a deeper level while still having space for themselves.
