Employees who strive and work hard in an organization must have opportunities to rejuvenate and de-stress. It applies particularly to those team members who perform challenging tasks where the level of difficulty is higher. Well-planned team building retreats offer the opportunity to learn, improve problem-solving skills, as well as time to refresh and take a break from work-related stress. Let’s keep reading to learn more.
Get to know the company’s work culture first. Is organizing training in forums the usual norm or is it something new for the organization? If it’s not a norm, talk to your team manager to get the idea approved. In simple words, you need to prepare the ground by explaining the purpose of the retreat, the expenses and, of course, the benefits.
Corporate travel doesn’t have to be expensive all the time. So, will the company’s budget allow organizing such events, no matter how minor the expenses are? Whether you have a single day retreat or a multi-day trip depends on the funds of the company. The goal is to get away from the tedium of files, work, goals, and client calls. An interactive and enjoyable learning session organized in a serene environment will do everyone good. Keep the cost of transportation, accommodation and food under control. This is because you need to consider the fees of a trained facilitator for successful business outings.
Now, we come to the most crucial aspect of withdrawals. He is planning the agenda. The agenda should include learning activities, information-sharing elements, and fun-filled games. It must be the perfect combination of entertainment and learning. The agenda must include topics that are affecting the growth of the company. Such matters must be discussed first.
For a one-day event, time should be specified for discussing work-related concerns, discussions or brainstorming sessions, and the rest for entertainment and fun activities. For a two-day trip, the facilitator should suggest a special theme. This topic should be discussed for half the day and the rest of the time should be reserved for experimental exercises. In this process, don’t forget to allocate enough time for food and drinks. The second day should be reserved for fun filled games. There should be ample opportunity to get out and inhale clean, fresh hair. It will de-stress the tired nerves of hard-working employees. The best way is to go for a walk and be surrounded by nature. It can be a park full of green plants and colorful flowers, or a walk by a lake. For this, you need to select a place rich in scenic beauty.
Team building retreats are successful if they are not too scheduled. Otherwise, it will result in stress. During discussion sessions, make sure all team members can speak. Those who are naturally shy or introverted should be encouraged to communicate. This is where the role of the facilitator comes into the picture.
Finally, when all the activities and team building exercises have finished, it is necessary to receive feedback from the participants. Based on the feedback, you will be able to improve your next corporate outing. And don’t include sensitive topics on such trips. Keep them aside to discuss when you get back to work.
