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When it comes time for your company to take a break and rejuvenate, there’s no better way to do it than with a corporate retreat. Plan it with intention and insight, and it will not only boost morale but your bottom line too!
Corporate retreats offer employees the opportunity to get out of the office and bond with their colleagues in a new setting. They are an opportunity to build comradery, creativity, and skills in collaboration that will benefit your company for years to come.
If you’re planning your company’s first retreat, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! Here’s what you should take into consideration to play like the pros and plan the perfect corporate retreat:
Pin Down Your Destination
Choosing the right location for your corporate retreat is crucial! Before settling on a setting, you should consider:
- Your company’s goals
- The time of year
- The realistic timeframe for your retreat
- The diverse cultures and interests of your company members
With so many places to choose from, it can be hard to hunker down on a place to plan your corporate retreat! By choosing a place that is in line with your objectives and won’t take up a large chunk of your retreat time to travel to, you can make the most of your allotted time.
It is also important to consider the climate and events surrounding your destination at the time of your retreat, as well as the comfort your unique company members will find there. This will help you decide on the perfect place more easily—and be sure to give plenty of advanced notice so people can properly prepare for what it offers!
Pick the Perfect Accommodations & Venues
To cultivate an atmosphere that both your bottom line and company members will love, seek out venues and hotels with the perfect balance between play and professionalism:
- Amenities that show your appreciation
- A laid-back atmosphere so people relax into the retreat
- Elegant decor to elevate their mood and motivation
- Easy-to-access locations to save time
The ambiance surrounding your company members during professional pursuits and downtime is crucial to the success of your retreat. Ensure your employees feel appreciated, relaxed, motivated, and like every moment was spent enjoying the retreat, and you will reap the benefits when your teams get back to work.
Plan Productive Activities That Feel Like Play
The activities you choose to include in your retreat should not only help everyone have a good time but also support your professional aims:
- Build comradery and collaboration
- Challenge your employees with enjoyable endeavors
- Develop skills independently and as a team
- Choose a variety so there is something for everyone
Letting loose is key at corporate retreats, but so is getting work done! When you plan out all events, meetings, and team-building activities, keep in mind how the contents and context of each will benefit the upcoming goals of your company. Finding a balance between challenging your teams, developing skills that are crucial to their jobs, and helping them have fun together is essential.
A professional corporate retreat planner has in-depth insight into how to achieve this. Ask for their services and explain your aims, and you will be able to pinpoint productive activities that feel like play. Not only that, but they often have connections with the local community that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to take advantage of in your corporate retreat.
Book Transportation and Make a Balanced Schedule
After you have all other aspects of your retreat in sight, it’s time to create a balanced itinerary and book reliable transportation to and from all venues:
- Schedule everything in such a way that your employees feel engaged but not burned out
- Include optional activities to give both introverts and extroverts the chance to feel comfortable
- Book transportation that is purposeful, private, and reliable
- Look for vehicles that make travel feel like luxury
The way you schedule out your corporate retreat can make or break it. While employees should feel excited and engaged, too much on their plate could make them feel tired instead of rejuvenated at the end of each day. Keep in mind that people have different levels of social excitability! As far as transportation, choose a company that is up to business standards, so your employees can melt into every moment.
Communication Clearly & Provide a Chat Platform
Even if you plan out every part of your corporate retreat perfectly, unclear communication can cause it all to fall into disarray. The right communication system can help avoid confusion and ensure everybody is on the same page:
- Carefully communicate all details
- Allow all parties to ask questions and collaborate on ideas
- Enlist an event planning system to store all information
- Utilize a chat app that can also provide reminders
To successfully execute your plans and synergistically collaborate with everyone involved, you’ll need to put a good communication system in place. You should not only be getting people excited and providing them with all pertinent information, but sharing it on a platform that allows them to ask questions and alerts them about changes.
An app that uses artificial intelligence can integrate information about all attendees and aspects of your retreat, so your communication is seamless and the stress is off your shoulders!
A corporate retreat can do a world of good for your business and the minds that move it forward— So, what are you waiting for? Start planning the perfect corporate retreat today and play like the pros with your company!
