As startup culture takes over the modern generation, it has become more necessary than ever to encourage team-building efforts. Most start-ups deal with a skeletal group and work through many stressful situations together. When such a variety of work is being dealt with with a small group, animosities can arise very quickly.
Team-building efforts like corporate retreats are a great way to bring the team together. Not only do your employees get to spend time together, but they also do group activities and learn to build trust. These simple activities can bolster group confidence and help them do work together without any problems.
Now, planning a corporate retreat can be quite stressful. Especially when you consider the sheer number of variables that goes into building these retreats. To simplify it, we follow a three-step plan to get through to our employees. And we are sharing it with you
Plan the transportation
Corporate retreats mean getting your employees to bond over some area that is not the office. So, transportation is key to getting them there. While, most of your employees would have personal cars and other ways to get to the venue, that in itself does not foster the team spirit. A workaround might be achieved through group transportation.
Charter a coach bus rental and organize games to play while you travel. There are some concerns among first-time users that buses and close proximity might cause disputes to rise. However, disputes only arise on long trips because there are fewer activities to do. Check out the games you can play on the bus trips and make sure that every employee gets their turn to speak. Not only do your employees get to know their colleagues before the actual retreat starts, but you’re also already halfway towards your team-building goals with their conversations being encouraged.
Choose the destination
One of the major problems with corporate retreats is that getting locations can be disconcerting. Keep three things in mind as you navigate through getting a proper destination.
- Is it accessible for every employee of yours?
- Does the destination cater to the diets of all your employees?
- Will your employees enjoy the particular activities offered?
We’ve seen the most serious of offices being livened by a weekly game of paintball, and the most casual of workspaces share their time over a traditional tea ceremony. Whether your employees enjoy space or not depends on accessibility and inclusivity for all involved parties. Places which have stringent dressing rules are automatically out, so, are places where the activities can remind your employees of work.
If you plan to have relaxing events where you guys can sit down together and bond then a community hall at your destination is a must.
A popular option is to go for a group spa retreat. Nothing brings people together like sharing a glass of Rose and having a talk about the things that affect their lives while getting a massage. However, make sure to keep a close eye on the drinking, it can be a concern for many of your more religious employees.
Plan interaction times
After the long hours of activities are done, one of the best ways to foster connection is through making people sit together and talk about their interests. You can also create a private drive-in for your employees by renting out a park and getting a cinema on.
Plan out different activities can get your employees together in one place and help them interact. A group meetup after a long day where people can relax is key to talk about experiences shared and the plans for the days ahead.
Planning and building a corporate retreat experience depends on a lot of factors, the kind of bus, the different kinds of places you’d book, and the experiences you’ll create. However, it’s also a trust-building experience to share with your employees, so, as you plan for all this, trust them to make the retreat as easy as ever.
