Once you’ve made the decision to host a company retreat, you’ll need to plan it accordingly so as to accommodate scheduling and the overall purpose of the retreat itself. There are literally thousands of options for retreats, including camping trips, seminars, and more. Here are some tips on planning your perfect retreat.
- Create Agenda and Include Downtime
A company retreat is supposed to be more relaxing than the regular day-to-day at the office, so it’s important to create an agenda for the retreat to stay on track. If you’re hosting training workshops or anything of the sort, you’ll want to schedule them accordingly during the day, but don’t forget to leave some time for rest.
Giving your employees a chance to rest during the retreat will help them interact with each other on a more personal level and provide some respite from their work. Training can be exhausting, and encouraging employees to interact with each other will help build effective relationships which will translate into better teams down the road.
An agenda helps keep everything organize and prevents the retreat from descending into chaos, thus completely nullifying the entire point of the retreat itself. The organization is inexplicably linked to productivity, so in order to maximize the productivity of your retreat, an agenda is a necessity.
- Pick The Right Venue
One of the most crucial steps to planning an effective retreat is choosing the right venue. There are thousands of retreat ideas out there, with venues to accommodate anything your retreat needs. You’ll need to tailor the venue to the overall purpose of your retreat, however.
You’ll likely need a modernized space at your retreat to complete any work or training, so be sure your venue has either meeting rooms or a hall that you can use for these purposes. Separating work from the relaxing activities of the retreat will help differentiate the two and make the relaxation more effective.
Some venues offer a chance to get close to nature during your retreat, so be sure everyone knows where and what the venue is so they can plan accordingly. If your retreat is near a forest, you’ll need things like bug spray and perhaps even calamine lotion for that off chance someone contracts poison ivy or some other skin irritation.
- Check Phone and Internet Connections
Unless you’re going for a no technology retreat, you’ll want to be sure that your venue supports wifi and has cell service in its area. Employees will become irritated very quickly if they can’t connect, separating them from the rest of the world including their families.
A good internet connection will also make training and other work activities possible, so be sure to ask in advance if the venue provides wifi. If not, you might want to choose one that does for everyone’s sake.
Also, it’s a good idea to ensure you’re within range of a cellphone tower, not only to keep employees connected to their loved ones but also in case of an emergency. You’ll want responders to be able to locate you easily and be able to call for assistance in the first place.
- Book Early For Better Pricing And Packages
As with travel, it’s best to book your retreat as early as possible for the best deals. You can also check when the venue’s slow season is, as prices are more likely to be cheaper during that time than in the busy season.
Booking early allows you to properly plan everything in advance, and gives everyone a chance to accommodate the trip to their schedule. You’ll be able to halt or slow production during that time and let your clients know in advance that you are doing so.
If there is a need to fly to the destination, booking flights early will save you hundreds of dollars. Flights are normally expensive if you book them last minute, so be sure to plan in advance to save you money on one of the most expensive components of the trip. To avoid costly plane tickets, keep your retreat within driving distance, so employees can carpool.
- Ask About Deals
Don’t be afraid to ask the venue if they offer any deals or packages for certain numbers of people. Some venues will be happy to assist, and may even be able to save you hundreds or thousands of dollars with a package deal.
In addition to saving money, the package may include some entertaining activities or scenic locations for your employees to enjoy during the retreat. Never avoid trying to negotiate price; you’d be surprised how far a little negotiation will go, and the less money you’re spending on the retreat, the more efficient it becomes.
If the venue doesn’t offer package deals, you can inquire about a loyalty program for frequent bookings. That way you can book the same retreat every year while building up points and discounts through the loyalty program to help save you money in the future. Go here for corporate retreats new york.
Conclusion
Planning a company retreat may be a long process, but if you plan well enough in advance, search for discounts and cheaper flights, and keep an agenda handy, you’ll be well on your way to hosting a productive and relaxing retreat for your employees. They will appreciate the effort and remember what you’ve done for them when they return to work, increasing productivity and overall happiness within the company.
