Company or team retreats are quickly becoming a popular investment for many organizations. Why is that?
A team retreat is a trip an entire team or a specific department takes to get out of the office, spend quality time together, progress on important work, collaborate, and build better relationships. The goal is to spend a balanced amount of time on work, fun, and team building.
Businesses schedule retreats on average 1-2 times a year. These retreats often take place in environments opposite of the office - quiet, serene areas where the main focus is on each other and the company rather than distractions and the corporate hustle and bustle.
Retreats are becoming commonplace because of the many interrelated benefits they have on employees and, in turn, organizations. The cost of a retreat is well worth the outcome as teams are strengthened, productivity increases, employee happiness is effectively boosted, and more that makes organizations more profitable.
Read on to learn exactly what your team will get out of a retreat before it even begins.
Some of The Many Benefits of Company Retreats
Boost happiness and morale. According to multiple studies, employees who experience frequent bursts of happiness have the potential to be 31% more productive, have 24% fewer fatigue symptoms, and become ten times more engaged. Retreats are the perfect opportunity to help employees reach new heights by encouraging happiness and fostering an engaging atmosphere.
A break for those who have multiple roles. An often overlooked benefit is relaxation and the opportunity to slow down for those who have busy and strenuous lives outside of work. Parents and caregivers can find a sense of calm at a retreat where their responsibilities are minimized.
Determining and strengthening values. Through creative thinking, collaboration, and social bonding, team members learn about each other’s values and create bonds with those who share similar principles. This bonding and recognition of similarities between coworkers can strengthen trust, which leads to greater success at work. Shared purpose is also bred through this process, which encourages team cohesion.
Creating a more casual and comfortable atmosphere. Breaking through the professional corporate barrier to create memories and fun moments to think back on makes the workplace feel calmer and more relaxed. This type of environment makes it easier for employees to ask for help and feedback, provide expertise, and speak up without fear. Not to mention the inevitable increase in employee satisfaction.
Camaraderie. Bonding over a day or two of time together can manifest a team that progresses as a collective. Skills such as problem-solving can be built quickly in an environment where peers are challenged together and encouraged to build each other up to find solutions. Whether through problem-solving an issue at work or participating in fun team-building games, employees will leave the retreat feeling closer and sharper.
Burnout prevention. Entertaining and laid-back retreats disrupt any feelings of burnout and rejuvenates employees so that they head back to work with a “full tank". Work retreats are often something team members look forward to, therefore, retreats serve as employee motivators as well.
Boosts creative thinking. Retreats pose a new environment to employees that fosters new ideas, innovative suggestions, and impressive solutions. Team members leave work retreats with a new way of thinking and a collaborative system.
Connect the entire team, perhaps for the first time. Gathering remote and in-office employees in a neutral space creates a fully connected team. Shifting communication from offline to in-person creates a greater sense of connection and belonging, and makes collaboration much more effective and efficient. Retreats gift employees the opportunity to speak with people for perhaps the first time and collaborate with different folks.
Although retreats are focused on the wellness of employees, organizations that throw retreats also reap amazing benefits.
Work retreats can boost company image. By promising retreats, an organization is viewed as better place to work and as a company that supports and cares about its employees.
Similarly, hosting retreats can attract talent, as well as retain it due to higher employee satisfaction. To potential employees, an annual getaway indicates the promise of a healthy work-life balance, which can be a deciding factor.
Retreats can also bring to light talent and skills that can be utilized in a new way. During activities and team-building exercises, the hidden talents of employees (such as creativity, leadership, and design) can be revealed. When back in the office, folks with these skills can take on new responsibilities or fulfill roles that suit their talents and improve the organization.
Brand development can come from retreats as well. If the team focuses on values and the company’s mission and work together toward growing, then the brand can evolve and expand rapidly.
Need a fun yet educational meeting for your retreat? Use code FIRSTORDER2025 to get 15% off your first module(s) at GettaMeeting.com!
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