Holding a Company Retreat

At key points in the life cycle of a company, it is essential to build cohesion among team members. It may be around values, vision, the immediate next six months of work, or a change of direction. Whatever the content, the company retreat is designed to remove the day to day preoccupation and focus people’s creativity on the task at hand.

Content

Here are some typical goals for company retreats (each goal would be a separate retreat, unless you are planning an extended time together):

• Crystallize the company mission and vision
• Define/evaluate corporate culture
• Clarify roles and responsibilities of a management team
• Rebuild teams that may have been under stress or in conflict
• Future thinking – where will we be in one year, two years, five years?
• To build relationships that enhance decision making
• Strategic planning sessions

The key to a successful retreat is that it does not contain any hidden agendas or required conclusions. For example, if management has already decided the direction of the company for the next six months, you would not hold a retreat to create new direction, with management coyly presenting their ideas and hoping to push them through. That is a recipe for failure and loss of trust. Instead, you might hold a retreat in order to help people understand the new direction, and take ownership of it.

A key mistake that people make in planning a retreat is putting too many items on the agenda. There must be sufficient time for participation and discussion. In a retreat, the rule is ‘less is more.’

Format

Ideally, the retreat is led by a professional facilitator who has been briefed on the intended outcomes of the retreat. The facilitator act as an independent voice so that a particularly strong personality doesn’t dominate the meeting.

The length of time is one work-day, with dinner at the end of the retreat to create a relaxed ending.

The agenda would not be provided in advance, but topics would be sent to each participant to prepare them for the discussions.

The agenda must have ample time for creative participation from everyone. If necessary (because there is a large group), there would be group work in small groups, and then reporting back to the large group. This is a way to be sure everyone has a chance to give input.

Location

A location is chosen that is separate from the normal work facility, but easy for people to get to, and return home at the end of the day. (The exception would be a multi-day retreat, where you might want to choose a non-urban setting.)

The room should be spacious, have a white-board and other aids, and also have room for people to break out into small groups. Refreshments should be provided in the room so people don’t have to leave.

Sample Retreat Agendas

For our premium subscribers, here is a link to some specific retreat agendas that you can modify to suit your needs. Spartina.com also provides professional facilitators on a consulting basis who will design and lead the retreat for you at a preferred rate. Contact us for more information.