Company retreats and travel can be an excellent way to energize your team. Learn what a corporate retreat is and the benefits of running one
When you need to bring the team together, a corporate retreat goes a step beyond the usual team building practices. With goal-oriented planning, retreats strengthen bonds and improve communication, all while reducing stress.
Remote and hybrid work enables a better work-life balance for many, but real-life face time is equally important. For example, the Global Business Travel Association found that 79% of North American and 83% of European business travellers reported an improvement in job satisfaction due to opportunities like company retreats.
So, whether you’re working remotely or just need to switch up the usual office scenery, a post-company business trip retreat gives the ideal opportunity to bring colleagues together for that all-important, morale-boosting quality time.
A corporate retreat is a type of company business trip that happens outside of the workplace, i.e., on a weekend or non-working day, which does not have a specific commercial function. They might involve the entire organisation or a smaller group, giving the chance for coworkers to get to know each other in a relaxed setting.
While locations and activities vary widely, corporate retreats create a laid-back environment that often include a blend of training, colleague-led presentations, and casual, leisure-minded activities.
With the advent of remote work and global expansion, employees often work together virtually from far-flung locations. A retreat brings together colleagues who might not otherwise have the chance to meet and get to know one another.
And for teams that work in a traditional office setting, a corporate retreat can spark creativity and think-outside-the-box innovation by stepping outside of the everyday environment.
Business retreat goals include:
Ultimately, the goal of any corporate retreat is to create a stronger company culture. With so much of today’s business conducted via remote channels, face-to-face retreats are more valuable than ever.
Activities will depend on the company retreat location as well as your goals. Along with meetings, you could plan group activities your team might enjoy, whether it’s a day of whitewater rafting, taking a cooking class, or exploring a new city on foot.
Corporate wellness retreats are designed to reduce stress and prevent burnout. They might take place in nature, filling the day with soothing activities like forest bathing, spa sessions, hiking, and yoga sessions.
Task-oriented retreats might take place in a private villa or hotel with dedicated conference rooms. The day would be filled with deep-dive presentations, group discussions, and new product trials, interspersed with informal socialising and group meals.
Before you move on to thinking about your corporate retreat location and activities, you’ll need to define your goal. Is this trip a reward for a job well done? A way to reduce stress? Or an opportunity to refine your strategy? List your primary goal and accompanying objectives.
The next step is to create a budget. Business retreats aren’t just the reserve of global corporations – they’re popular with startups, too. Whether you’re reaching into deep or shallow pockets, set a per-person budget that you’re comfortable working with, including food, lodging, transportation, and activity costs. It’s also best to prepare for the unexpected with a 15-25% cushion.
Look at your company’s upcoming calendar to find a convenient date, considering the high and low season for your industry as well as already-planned employee holidays.
There’s a staggering selection of company retreat venues to choose from, so whittle down the list by thinking about the type of retreat you’re running. Boutique business travel hotels are perfect for shorter trips packed with team presentations and breakaway meetings, while sprawling country villas are ideal for wellness-oriented getaways.
Present the retreat, along with its objectives, to your team to get everyone on board with the plans. Make sure the dates and travel logistics work for everyone before booking, organising travel insurance and visas as needed. Then, use a small business travel management tool like Booking.com for Business to book flights, accommodation, and car rentals from a single platform.
With the big picture taken care of, it’s time to structure your retreat. Consider how you’ll break up the day. A common way to do this is by scheduling intensive work and training sessions in the mornings and team-building activities in the afternoons.
Focussing on strategy? Give time for icebreakers, brainstorming sessions and team leader presentations. Focussing on relaxation? Leave plenty of scheduled downtime for organic, casual socialising.
The right (or wrong) venue sets the tone for your retreat. You want a destination that the team will look forward to visiting, whether it’s an ultra-modern boutique hotel, classical lakeside villa, or vintage-chic log cabins. Here’s what to consider when selecting a corporate retreat location:
Would your team thrive in a city setting or beachfront oasis? Think about your objectives first. If you need colleagues to hunker down and concentrate on an intensive project, a countryside retreat free from distractions will fit the bill. On the other hand, if you’ll be attending conferences and networking, you’ll want to choose a popular business travel destination for some urban exploration. Just make sure it’s accessible for remote team members.
Typical business features include conference rooms, event spaces and high-speed Wi-Fi along with leisure facilities like gyms, swimming pools and yoga studios. More niche facilities to consider include self-catering kitchens, art studios, fire pits, wild swimming areas, and saunas.
Accommodation will depend on your budget and goals. Some venues provide private bedrooms for every attendee, while others will have shared rooms for colleagues. Ensure the space is adequate in terms of comfort, luxury and style to create an atmosphere conducive to productivity.
If your company is like most, you’re always looking for ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Consider eco-friendly options set in nature that offer renewable energy sources, efficient in-room fixtures, and locally sourced cuisine.
When in doubt, consult with your team. Send a survey before choosing your company retreat location, asking for input regarding preferred amenities, activities, and dietary requirements.
With advance planning, leading the business retreat should be straightforward. You’ll have already determined the goals and objectives. Define what you as a business leader want to get from the retreat, as well as what you want each participant to walk away with. Keep this goal, whether it’s product development, inclusivity, problem solving, or teambuilding, in mind throughout your time at the retreat.
Make expectations very clear before, during, and after the retreat, taking the needs of individual employees into account. Some team members might be anxious travellers, others might be introverts who need some alone time to recharge their batteries in between scheduled events. By presenting the schedule and expectations ahead of time, you’ll give everyone the chance to psychologically prepare and present their best selves.
Whether you’re planning, leading, or just attending a company retreat, you’ll need to plan for its length, location, and activities. Here’s a general packing list:
While some corporate wellness retreats ask you to unplug for the duration of the event, other types will require your company laptop and devices to get work done while you’re there. When in doubt, just ask HR.
Most company retreats are casual, but you’ll still want to look professional. Think business-casual attire, with smarter trainers, linen trousers or chinos, and a crisp cotton shirt. If you’re going out for dinner and drinks, you’ll also need to bring some slightly more formal wear. Keep the company culture in mind as you pack.
While onsite retreats might last for a day or two, if you’re planning an overseas retreat, you’ll want to maximise your time and give employees the chance to settle in after their journey. An ideal length of time is anywhere between three and five days, depending on its purpose.
There are several factors that weigh into the best month for retreats.
First off, consider your industry’s typical workload. If you work in retail, for example, planning a retreat around Black Friday would just cause stress. Instead, you’d want to look ahead to a slower month like February or March. Book your retreat during the slow season for your industry.
Look at the optimal travel seasons for your chosen destination. Southern Europe in August might be far too hot to enjoy outdoor activities, while visiting a Caribbean resort during hurricane season could be too risky.
You don’t want to clash with the holiday season when colleagues will be planning their own getaways. As with workload, slower travel seasons are better.
Taking these factors into consideration, the best months for company retreats are usually in spring (March to May) and autumn (September to October).
By following these tips, you should be well on your way to a productive, positive retreat. And hopefully, you’ll already be looking forward to the next one. To build upon your best efforts, always ask for feedback to find out what could be improved upon and what went well. You could do this in a casual meeting or send out an anonymous survey for no-holds-barred commentary.
With Booking.com for Business, you can plan, manage, and book your company retreat from a single travel management platform, all while benefiting from exclusive rates and free travel support throughout.
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