Staff Retreats – justified, or junket?
Jodie Parker, Managing Director and Professional Conference Organiser of Iceberg Events discusses the politics of staff retreats.
The worst possible thing that you can do on a staff retreat is make everyone work the whole time.
I know that seems contrary to what you are trying to achieve - you're paying all of this money so that everyone can go away and focus - come up with the solutions you need, find the extra effort required!
If you are taking people out of their normal habitat, you need to do some different things too! I've talked about Team Building before - but it doesn't need to be as structured as "activities".
It could just be giving them the opportunity to have a casual dinner, with their families and colleagues, without talking about work (and believe me, their partners will be happy about that. Maybe even BAN the work conversations from the table).
It could be going to play bowls, or mini golf, or snorkeling (if you happen to be at an island destination).
There is no denying, though, that work needs to be done too.
If you are doing the brainstorming/creative type activities that are often done on retreats, let them wear whatever they like! No one wants to wear work clothes on a Sunday anyway. Maybe they’ll think more creatively wearing board shorts.
Maybe try to avoid the conference room set up. Can you do the brainstorming thing somewhere comfy? With Couches? Or sun beds?
Can you have platters of food for people to pick at, rather than structured breaks? You don't want the "structure" to get in the way of those creative ideas.
Make sure you have a way to capture all those ideas, too. Be it as simple as butchers paper or whiteboards, or someone in charge of minute-taking, or recording the entire discussion (may need a techie to do that one properly).
I think the best staff retreats are a little bit junket, and a little bit justified. The balance there is what gives you the best outcomes.
Posted by Jodie Parker, January 22, 2008 in ARTICLES | TIPS
