Want the best-kept secret on corporate retreat planning?
Nothing great was ever figured out at a desk. Innovation and big decision-making happens when teams are out of the office enjoying each other’s company in new surroundings.
In fact, research shows companies with engaged teams generate 23% higher profitability. That doesn’t happen during weekly department meetings.
It happens when you bring your people together in new places. Whether that’s an executive retreat venue Costa Rica or a mountain lodge somewhere off the grid, the destination makes all the difference.
…the boardroom isn’t cutting it anymore.
If you want your team to truly collaborate on the tough decisions, it’s time to stop locking them in a conference room and start thinking… outside the box.
What you’ll learn:
- The Office Politics Holding You Hostage
- Why Your Team Needs Time Away To Win
- How To Pick The Perfect Place
- How To Plan A Corporate Retreat, Scaled To Perfection
Let’s face it… if corporate retreat planning was easy (or not necessary), everyone would do it.
Sadly, that’s not the world anyone lives in.
Most companies know there is value in getting team members away from their desks to brainstorm big picture ideas.
Few have actually nailed the process of planning a successful corporate retreat.
And that’s what’s going to change right here. Ready?
Why Your Conference Room Is Killing Decisions
Imagine scrolling through Facebook and seeing your team stuck in a conference room together.
Nope. That’s not a weekend well spent.
But how often are hours frittered away each month making “big” decisions while your team is trapped indoors?
That’s not to say all decisions need to be made on a sandy beach or at the top of a mountain. But your conference room definitely isn’t helping.
Remember that research showing highly engaged teams drive 23% greater profitability? Well…
Research from Harvard Business Review shows that 88% of people believe in-person meetings foster strong, long-term relationships.
If your goal is to get your team on the same page about your company’s most important decisions, chatting behind a desk isn’t going to cut it.
There’s a better way.
How Offsites Create Alignment (And Better Decisions)
So how do corporate retreats help teams make better decisions? Glad you asked.
Break Up The Rut
There’s a reason kids hate eating the same food every day. Routine kills creativity.
Your team is no different.
The brain is wired for stimulation. So when your environment doesn’t change, neither does your thinking.
It’s basic science.
Travelperk compiled some data that proves just how important new scenery is to the decision-making process. Take a look:
“During business trips I get my most creative ideas”
►34%
“No difference”
►32%
“Home is where my creative ideas are sparked”
►34%
When given the opportunity to answer how they feel about generating ideas on work trips, less than 1/3rd of respondents said they come up with their best ideas at home.
That’s massive.
Imagine how many decisions could be improved by stepping away from the grind.
Create Real Relationships
Where do most decisions get made? At the water cooler.
You know who else likes to hang out by the water cooler? Sales people.
Of course they do. It’s their jobs to build relationships with people.
As humans, people trust those they know and like. If you want your team to feel comfortable making decisions together, help them build those relationships in real life.
Get Away To Align
It doesn’t matter if you have the most productive meeting in history. If your team walks away from the “alignment session” feeling more confused than ever…
You failed.
Statistically speaking, the chances of true alignment happening organically while your team is sitting in their office every day are slim to none.
But give them new space to think with no distractions. Allow them to build authentic relationships in person. Encourage creativity by changing up the routine.
Watch them come back from a well-planned retreat motivated and ready to conquer those business goals.
Picking The Perfect Place
All venues are not created equal. When it comes to planning a corporate retreat, your location is everything.
Here are a few things to consider before booking your next team getaway:
Go Tropical
Beaches, oceans, palm trees = Inspiration
Boxes and screens don’t inspire creative thinking. But nature sure does.
Research shows that being outside and exploring new places increases happiness and decreases depression. If your team is feeling happier, they will be more open to collaboration.
Which leads to point number two…
Needs Dedicated Space
Every venue should have meeting spaces built into their campus. Plain and simple.
Sure, going on a team retreat is about getting away from the daily grind. But unless your company focuses solely on networking, at some point everyone will have to do… some work.
Meeting space is a must.
Privacy Is Key
If your team isn’t comfortable sharing their opinions, you’ll spend your retreat bouncing from topic to topic without any real progress.
Look for exclusive venues that allow your team to come and work privately without worrying about other groups being around.
Provide Team Bonding Activities
Last but not least…
Team bonding is crucial to any successful corporate retreat. That’s why your venue should provide opportunities for your team to connect outside of workshop sessions.
Group dinners, rafting excursions, surfing lessons… even a simple hike can do wonders for a team’s collaboration moving forward.
Why Planning Matters (& How to Scale Yours)
Here’s the thing about corporate retreat planning…
Done right, it can change everything.
Done wrong, it’ll fall flat.
Worse than your team spending another month trying to align on decisions in a conference room.
So how do you know you’re doing it right?
Set Goals
Every corporate retreat (no matter the size) should have a goal. Or ten.
Want better buy-in on a project? Say it.
Need to improve company morale? Make it your main priority.
Decide what you want out of the weekend before you even book your venue.
Scale Your Retreat To Your Needs
Some teams benefit from large gatherings. Others do better with smaller groups.
If you know your team is going to disconnect once they leave the office, planning a retreat for your entire company might be right for you.
But if you’re worried about everyone losing interest during team building exercises or distraction during workshop sessions, consider splitting into groups.
Send your leadership team somewhere tropical for beachside strategizing while your sales team heads to Vegas.
Little adjustments like this will ensure your retreat runs smoothly and everyone comes back feeling accomplished.
Invest In The Experience
There’s a reason cheap team building activities fall flat.
Deloitte research showed that companies that prioritise team bonding reduce employee turnover by 73%.
When planning a corporate retreat, invest in the team.
Yes, even the “experience” part of your event is important.
Your venue, the food, group activities.
These are the things that are going to set your retreat apart from the conference room.
And that unexpected bump in team morale will have ROI that lasts way past the weekend.
Follow Up
Ah, follow-up. The death of corporate retreats.
How many times have teams been sent somewhere fun and relaxing only to come back with no results to show for it?
Planning a follow-up session before your team leaves is just as important as the venue you pick and the goals you set.
Accountability will breed progress.
And progress leads to team success.
Wrapping It Up
Corporate retreat planning is magical.
Sure, it might seem like a big challenge at times. But if you invest in the right people, plan with purpose, and follow through on your promises…
You will be amazed at what your team can accomplish when they step outside of their office.
The companies that take the leap and get their teams offsite are the ones that end up leading their industries. The ones that don’t? They stay stuck in the conference room.
