Company retreats go by quickly. Trust us, we’ve hosted and facilitated enough of them. It may be a “long” weekend, but the time really flies by when you’re busy planning, executing, and enjoying everything you want to accomplish during the retreat. Time is limited, and it’s also valuable. We’ve seen businesses waste time with disorganization, poor communication, and many other time wasters that eat away at the overall effectiveness of their retreats. We’ve also seen (and helped run) very well-oiled retreats that are effective, memorable, and intentionally planned. While you don’t need to go as far as planning every single minute of your company retreat, you should be cognizant of the time you have and how to use it well.
Now that we’re oof our soapbox, let’s dive into the details. How can you make the most of your time at a company retreat? Here’s how leaders can maximize their time to achieve tangible business outcomes.
Choose the Right Resort
Company retreats are a time for reflection, realignment, and strategy. For business owners, CEOs, and leaders, these retreats offer a golden opportunity to foster team cohesion, set new directions, and enhance productivity in a setting away from the daily office environment. This is what you should be focusing on. What shouldn’t you focus on? Everything else. We’re talking about the meals, lodging, activities, schedule, and all the finer details of the trip. This is all the job of the people at your retreat location, provided you’ve chosen the right one.
Why Let the Venue Do the Heavy Lifting?
Opting to stay at an all-inclusive company retreat resort is one of the best time-saving decisions you can make. At Sugar Lake Lodge, we handle the food, accommodation, activities, and setup of all technology and tools in the spaces you will use. We help you significantly streamline the logistical aspects of your retreat, allowing you and your team to focus squarely on your objectives without worrying about the minutiae of planning and coordination. This maximizes the time you spend on your team and your objectives.
Pre-Retreat Goal Setting: Defining the Blueprint of Success
Defining Clear Objectives: Before heading out to the resort for your retreat, take some time to articulate the specific, measurable goals you aim to achieve. Whether you want to enhance team dynamics, brainstorm new product ideas, or set strategic directions for the year, having these goals planned out in advance ensures focused discussions and actionable outcomes.
Developing a comprehensive retreat plan, a roadmap for every step of your retreat that includes a:
- Structured Agenda: Outline a detailed schedule that balances work sessions with leisure activities. This ensures optimal team engagement and prevents burnout.
- Inclusion of All Participants: Engage with team members to incorporate their ideas and expectations into the agenda, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment to the retreat’s success.
Knowing what you want to accomplish and what your days will look like prevents you from having to scramble during the retreat to coordinate the process.
Collaborate with a Retreat Facilitator
If you are unsure of what to do during your retreat, a retreat facilitator can provide guidance towards achieving the objectives you want for your team and business.
Working with an experienced retreat facilitator adds immense value to the entire process. They can help keep discussions on track, mediate brainstorming sessions, and ensure that the retreat’s goals are met every step of the way. In short, they’ll save you time by keeping you on track the entire time.
Embracing Flexibility and Communication
While having a plan is crucial, being open to change is equally important. Allow the retreat’s dynamic nature to guide adjustments in the schedule or discussions, ensuring that creativity and spontaneous insights are not stifled by a rigid agenda.
It’s also important to ensure that everyone’s voice is being heard throughout the process. Maintain open lines of communication before, during, and after the retreat, and encourage honest feedback and constructive discussions to ensure that all participants felt valued and enjoyed the retreat. This openness will help you better plan future retreats so that everyone is getting the most out of the process. Find out what worked and what didn’t, then plan an even better retreat for the next year using the feedback you receive.
Start Planning the Best Retreat for Your Company
As you plan your next company retreat (or your first!), remember that using your time well can result in a transformative experience for everyone involved. It all begins by selecting a supportive venue, clearly defining your objectives, then working with a retreat facilitator to meticulously plan the retreat. The goal should always remain the same: foster a creative environment that lets your team focus and be at their best. It’s also good to have a bit of fun.
Ready to lead your team into new territory? Let Sugar Lake Lodge be your next retreat destination. Get in touch with us today for a free retreat consultation.