Corporate team building retreats are a great way to build camaraderie and improve communication between team members that translate into the workplace. However, without careful planning, team building retreats can easily go poorly. Here are some tips for planning a successful corporate retreat!
How to Plan a Corporate Retreat
Set Goals
It’s important that you are clear about the purpose of the team building retreat before you begin planning. What are your goals for the retreat? Think about what it is exactly that you want to achieve by bringing your team together to make your trip worthwhile. Some potential objectives may be to increase creativity, improve coworker relationships or work on a particular deficiency within your team. Then, be more detailed in setting specific goals for your team that you can work towards throughout the trip and when you return to the office.
Hire a Professional
One of the biggest steps you can take to ensure your team building retreat runs smoothly is hire a professional. An experienced moderator can plan an itinerary that accommodates each of your employees’ needs. A third party also allows the individuals who would otherwise have to run events (human resources, team leaders, upper management, etc.) to participate in scheduled sessions with their coworkers.
Select a Location
No matter how far you travel, a new location and environment can help you approach existing workplace obstacles and future challenges in a new light. A team building retreat consultant can assist in helping you choose an ideal location and venue for your retreat that meets your goals, timeline and budget.
Draft an Itinerary
Corporate team building retreats should have an itinerary or agenda to ensure your trip is organized and your goals are met. The itinerary should include a balance of activities that cater to all of the unique individuals on your team. Introverts, extroverts, experienced employees and new hires all have different qualifications for a successful retreat.
Your corporate trip consultant can help you choose fun and exciting team building activities for everyone on your team. Consider adding nontraditional team building activities to your itinerary to help everyone get to know one another, such as visiting a nearby tourist destination, a scavenger hunt or cooking together. Be sure to allocate plenty of time for each item on your itinerary and give your schedule flexibility!
Enjoy bonding over shared experiences and fun team building activities throughout your trip. Return from your team building retreat feeling refreshed and ready to commit to using new skills and relationships in everyday business!
