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.
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.
Retreat Location Ideas
Choosing a destination that your entire team will enjoy can be difficult. The bottom line is that your location must align with your top goals. Team building requires many activities, so a goal of team bonding might require a slower trip with opportunities to mingle. If you need to get a lot of work done, then having access to the internet and quiet places to work are necessities. Budget should also be one of the first factors determined, then timeline (3-4 nights for domestic trips is typical).
Here are some location ideas to get the ball rolling and inspire your next retreat:
- Camping/glamping
- Beach or lake town
- Spa/wellness escape
- Theme park
- A fun city with a relevant seminar
- Cruise
- Skii resort
Ideas For Small Businesses Or Small Budgets
Low price and convenience are big factors for many businesses when choosing retreats.
Day retreats are highly suggested for small businesses or organizations with a small and limited budget. These retreats can be more spontaneous and much easier to plan but still have adequate outcomes. Take advantage of off-season booking opportunities and local venues for a good deal. Here are some ideas for you and your team if your funds or resources are limited:
- Movie night: see a movie or play one at the office or an event space
- Special dinner: food truck, picnic, winery, brewery, barbecue
- Bonfire with games and camping foods to accompany
- Escape room
- Trivia: host your own trivia night about your team/company or attend a trivia night at a venue
- Attend a cooking class. Don’t want the hassle? Check out GettaMeeting’s culinary themes meeting module, Get Organized: Mise en Place. Download instantly and engage your team with a meeting video and many fun meeting enhancements for a memorable session.
- Volunteer for a local cause
- Indulge in some child-like fun: spend an evening at an arcade, playing laser tag, or going go-karting
- Attend a sports event
Don’t want the responsibility (or price) of coordinating and traveling to a sports game? Check out GettaMeeting’s team building series - three sports themed comprehensive meeting modules for you and your team to experience without leaving the comfort of your office or home office. Each module includes an informational and interactive video on the topic (Play Ball, Crew Skills, and Golf Game) and many meeting enhancements, such as team-building activities with prize suggestions, food and decor ideas, inspirational quotes, book recommendations, and much more. Check out the Team Building Series here and browse other modules here.
Retreat Activities
A retreat proves pointless if there are few or inadequate activities. The point of a retreat is to build your team while working and having fun together, so here are some exciting activity ideas to consider including in your next retreat’s agenda:
- Welcome party. Hosting a party on the first evening of the retreat starts the trip on a positive, warm, and casual note. This allows employees to mingle and network without any pressure. Go further by assigning a theme, such as the 80s, beach, black tie, or blacklight.
- Professional development. Career and skill development are becoming a top priority for employees when joining a team or establishing their career. Maximize your time at the retreat by providing professional development for your team. GettaMeeting makes it as easy as can be. With an instantly downloadable video and meeting enhancements such as team building activities, book recommendations, playlists, decor and food ideas, and much more, your team, perhaps for the first time, will leave a meeting feeling excited and more knowledgeable. Browse and download GettaMeeting modules here.
- Tea, coffee, or wine tasting. Spend some time venturing out to different coffee or wine places in the town. Teams can split up to attend tastings that match their preferences, which gives everyone the chance to indulge in a common interest while getting to know each other better.
- Icebreakers. Play games such as Commonalities, teammate trivia, Jeopardy, charades, or bingo to engage and bond your team.
- Unplug. Encourage the team to unplug from all devices for a couple of hours. If work must be done, challenge employees to use non-electronic resources such as notebooks and each other!
- Guest speaker. Welcome a guest, such as a comedian or a successful business professional, to share an hour or two with the team to inspire or entertain.
- Board games. Have a laid-back night by playing board games with your team to grow more connected while creating lasting memories.
- Exercise/adventure. After ensuring that the activity is accessible to everyone on your team, book a biking tour, Segway tour, horseback riding, hiking, or walking tour if retreating in a new city.
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