Tips for leaders on how to deliver the perfect off-site meeting
For business leaders planning an off-site meeting, now, more than ever, what you do for your team matters.
If you are generating profits and want to grow your business, creating a stronger bond with your team may be one of the best ways to do so. They are, after all, your first-line brand ambassadors, your eyes and ears on the ground with customers, and your best source of ideas to help the business stay competitive.
Recruitment and retention are key topics for all businesses, especially at the present time. With so many employees working from home, opportunities to create special experiences by bringing the team together – to learn, to bond and have fun – can make the difference between a company that looks at the long-term rather than one that’s looking at a quick fix. That’s what we want, don’t we? We want good people to stay.
Here are a few thoughts on what you can do to create a great off-site experience for everyone.
- Set a decent budget. It wouldn’t be uncommon to spend between 1 and 2.5% of turnover entertaining key clients through the year. Be generous with your staff too: the budget has to be enough to ensure they enjoy the event, including accommodation, food and beverages, entertainment and travel costs.
- Form a small group who will be involved in the planning. Not too big, so that creativity and great ideas get squashed, and not so small that you don’t consider all the relevant points. A mix of ages, seniority and length of time in the company is perfect.
- Blend essential company messages with education and fun. Talk about your vision, your strategy, new products and services; also include a learning section during which staff can improve their leadership skills, digital skills or creative thinking. And include a good dose of fun. That is what they will remember and it will inspire them to work to the best of their ability and stay loyal.
- Research and brainstorm the ideal location or venue, any ideas for entertainment, and the date. I would allow at least four months before the off-site meeting to give staff enough notice, to book popular venues early and organise the team. It is wise to start the planning process as much as six months in advance.
If you get all this right, you may just find that, after the off-site meeting, your team is buzzing and will go the extra mile for the company and its customers. That translates into building your brand, so the brand becomes more valuable: everyone wins.
I’d be delighted if you can share your experiences of the best off-site meeting you have held. Why not get in touch and find out more about what we recommend our clients do to make their off-site meetings memorable?