SET YOUR INTENTION
Before you book any venue, transport, or activity, you need to define the purpose and objectives of your retreat. What do you want to achieve with your team? Do you want to collaborate and create? Do you want to improve communication, creativity, problem-solving or trust? Do you want to learn stress-relieving techniques and improve morale? Knowing your goals will help you narrow down the options and align your activities with your desired outcomes.
CONSIDER YOUR BUDGET
Another important factor to consider is your budget. How much can you afford to spend on your retreat? This will affect the duration, location, and quality of your retreat. You don’t have to break the bank to have a successful retreat, but you do need to plan ahead and look for ways to save money without compromising on quality. Consider how valued your team will feel in your chosen location eg cheap and cheerful ➡️ monkeys and peanuts!
MIX IT UP
One of the keys to a successful team building retreat is to have a variety of activities that cater to different preferences, personalities, and learning styles. You don’t want to bore your team with the same type of activity over and over again. Instead, you want to mix it up and offer some options that are fun, challenging, relaxing, and educational. For example, you can include some outdoor activities and tours enjoying the destination, and some indoor activities, such as workshops or cooking classes, and some reflective activities, such as feedback sessions, goal setting, or meditation.
INVOLVE YOUR TEAM
Another way to ensure that your team building retreat is a hit is to involve your team in the planning process. You can ask them for their input, preferences, and suggestions on what they would like to do and learn during the retreat. You can also assign them some roles and responsibilities, such as organizing a game night, leading a workshop, or creating a playlist. This will make them feel more engaged, valued, and motivated to participate in the retreat.
FOLLOW UP
Finally, don’t forget to follow up after the retreat. You want to make sure that the lessons and benefits of the retreat are not lost once you return to the office. You can do this by sending a survey, asking for feedback, sharing photos and videos, and implementing some changes or actions based on the retreat outcomes. You can also plan some follow-up activities or events to reinforce the team spirit and keep the momentum going.
