Company retreats are a great way to build company culture, promote teamwork and build relationships among staff members, whether you work in the same office or remotely in a virtual space. It’s not a paid vacation, but it’s definitely an opportunity to learn new skills outside of the office.
Many believe that in order to host a company retreat, your business needs to be thriving. However, there is still a way to host a retreat even if you’re the owner of a small startup. We have provided you with a list of 10 tips on how you can plan a company retreat on a budget for your small business.
Having a goal in mind for your company retreat will help you plan it and stay on budget. Depending on what your goal is, try to plan a location and activities in conjunction with it. For instance, if you want to focus on team building, find a location where you can plan a few outdoor activities.
Once you’ve established your goal, it’s time to get organized! Choose a facilitator and work with that person to come up with a schedule for the retreat. This may help you realize that you only need one day instead of two.
Major cities are full of distractions and high in costs. If your company retreat schedule relies on what a major city has to offer, we recommend that you stay in a city 30 minutes to an hour away from a major airport, and arrange transportation to take you back and forth from both locations.
A retreat doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to travel far from the office. Take advantage of local destinations that are merely a drive away and aren’t bustling with tourists. These areas will surely be less crowded and far less costly.
If money is too tight to travel any distance, consider having a virtual retreat at the office. In order to have a retreat at the office, set aside one of two days to primarily focus on the goal of the retreat. Make sure to cater breakfast and lunch, and to include various activities in the day to keep your employees engaged and interested.
If a hotel stay is impossible due to budget constraints, then consider switching up the office scene for a day retreat at your home (if you have the space). For overnight retreats, consider staying in cabins, campgrounds or a rental home with adequate facilities.
Try negotiating a group rate or offer a trade if you have services usable to the facility where you are interested in hosting your retreat.
If you’re looking for a low-cost activity, consider hiking. Studies show that time in nature increases creativity; find a local or state park with an intermediate trail and get the blood pumping and the ideas flowing.
If you are planning a retreat that involves outdoor activities, choose a hobby or sport that promotes team building without cutthroat competition.
Hiring a corporate planner may seem counter-intuitive, but it could prove to be a way to save you time and money. A corporate planner has all the planning tools and connections you need to get the most out of your budget conscious company retreat.
CEO Business Center is perfect for small businesses, sole proprietors and startups in need of an office space or a virtual office space that wish to project a professional image to clients and competitors. CEO Business Center executive office rentals are an inexpensive, efficient solution for people like you who are looking for a virtual office or an office space in the Atlanta area. Contact us today!
