Your company retreat sucks... Here's why.

Too often leaders plan, spend, and even hire a retreat organizer then the employers and employees leave feeling more drained than before. Top 3 mistakes:

1. It's too organized

As someone who loves organization this is a painful one to admit, but it is in our nature to bond with others that we find common ground with. When a retreat is focused solely around business planning, it is just another day at the office or worse, it feels like it could have been an email.

Find an activity that inspires friendly competition and brings out child like fun.

Make sure the employees can let loose and have real conversations.

2. It's not organized enough

Staff should understand why they are there. Too often company happy hours are really just a place for Steven from sales to get s**** faced. Employees leave feeling like the company just stole some of their personal time.

These people spend 40 hours a week together. Natural friendships form with the people you spend the majority of your time with, they don't need to go bowling to know that some of their coworkers are nice people. It’s ok to talk a little business. This is the key opportunity to speak to your employees about their ideas and feelings.

Show an effort. Make a plan that has some structured activities and conversations.

3. You haven't done them often enough

Are you relying on one annual retreat during your slow season to ensure year long teamwork and focus?

Then you should be doing them more.

I'm not talking about blowout every 3 months, but little connections. - can you take a walk during lunch? What about buying everyone lunch and making them eat it together? Do you business plan for next year in the fall? What about plan adjustments quarterly to ensure the plan still works?

So what do you do and not do?

Every company culture is different and so is each employee. Try out a few of our favorites throughout the year:

• escape rooms

• mini golf

• axe throwing

• casual 5K

• volunteering

• buy a table at non-profit gala

• offsite training

• trail cleanup

• smash room 

• paint party

Just be sure to have an open conversation during your retreat to learn about the day to day of your business from your employees.

Ask:

• What are the biggest struggles?

• What is working well?

• What can be better?

And LISTEN!!!!

People will share if they are comfortable. Ask yourself, “where can I give people opportunities to work on something they are passionate about?” That’s how to create long-term employees who actually enjoy the company retreats.

Velle Consulting is always happy to help you plan culture events for your business. Shoot us a text today, so your next retreat is productive and fun! 719-355-8361