Is your company starting to resemble an episode of The Office or the comic
strip Dilbert? If so, it’s probably a good time to consider getting out of
the office for a corporate retreat. Not just a benefit for comically dysfunctional
workplaces—which probably would never consider something so innovative, anyway—logging
onto Groople.com and ditching the office for a few days is smart business for a
variety of reasons. Just a few:
- Recharge. The perpetual avalanche of phone calls, emails and meetings saps
everyone’s energy and creativity. Boost morale and your bottom line by removing
employees from the daily churn of activity to a relaxing environment where they
can brainstorm and share ideas about big picture challenges and opportunities.
- Improve cohesion. Given how much time co-workers spend together, it’s remarkable
what a narrow perspective most employees have about each other as people. Personal
bonds and camaraderie grow naturally when people are removed from a business setting,
particularly when effective teambuilding exercises are included.
- Reward. Did your sales department blow away last quarter’s numbers? People
might not say it, but they love recognition, and a few fun days at a spa, in the
wilderness or on the links is a welcome thank you for a job well done.
Great Corporate Retreat Destinations:
Picking the perfect place for a corporate retreat can be daunting—we live in
a big country with options aplenty. Fortunately, Groople.com has scoured the nation
to come up with a sample of some of the best places and activities for your next
corporate retreat. Some ideas:
If you think navigating the high speed business word is tough, try making it
down a stretch of foamy, rocky rapids in these spectacular river destinations:
- Colorado River, Colorado
- Wenatchee River, Washington
- Buffalo River, Arkansas
- Salmon River, Idaho
Whether it’s skiing, snowshoeing or après ski, these locations combine good
snow with a festive nightlife:
- Stowe, Vermont
- Lake Tahoe, California
- Park City, Utah
- Jackson Hole-Teton, Wyoming
- Taos, New Mexico
- Poconos, Pennsylvania
Even those who agree with Mark Twain that golf is a good walk ruined will enjoy
a trip to a resort in one of these sunny spots:
- Pinehurst, North Carolina
- Scottsdale, Arizona
- Miami, Florida
- Lahaina, Hawaii
- Pebble Beach, California
If rewards are in order for your team after a hard project is complete, a weekend
of luxury and relaxation at a resort or spa is just the ticket. Some of the best
are found here:
- Ojai, California
- Maui, Hawaii
- Tuscon, Arizona
- White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
- South Beach, Florida
Plan Your Corporate Retreat:
Whether you’re a CEO, human resources chief or just the lucky guy or gal tasked
with pulling together a spectacular corporate retreat, let us be your partner. A
few suggestions:
- Create a Groopvine page. There, you will be able to communicate with co-workers;
set up polls to decide on dates, locations, and hotels; share information about
your chosen location; and even share pictures from the trip once you’re back.
- Decide what kind of getaway you want to take. Check out Groople’s Where
to Go: Great Ideas for Corporate Retreats for suggestions.
- Find a hotel or resort. Groople will help you find a hotel within your
price range featuring all the amenities you’ll want for your corporate retreat.
Groople can find the best group rates for your retreat, ensuring that your getaway
enhances both your bottom line as well as your reputation for being a savvy businessperson.
Tips for Planning your Corporate Retreat:
In order to make sure that your corporate retreat comes off just as you’d hoped,
keep these things in mind:
- Know your purpose. Understanding exactly why you’re abandoning the office
for a few days will go a long way towards determining where you should go. Are you
looking for a unique experience that truly bonds your staff together? Then think
about an adventurous teambuilding trip. But if you’re looking to get out of the
office in order to brainstorm big ideas for the future of your company, a resort
with plenty of meeting space and technical support for presentations is probably
more appropriate. Then again, if it’s a trip to reward performance it’s probably
best to jump on Groopvine and ask people where they want to go.
- How far is too far? Sure, most people would agree that a trip to Palm Springs
or Vermont is exciting and sure beats more time in the office. Still, it’s a good
idea to put some thought into just how far you want people to travel for your corporate
retreat. Is the destination enticing enough to warrant a lot of time in the airport
and on a plane? Or would it be more popular to find a spot within easy driving distance?
Of course, the farther you travel, the more likely you are to raise the price tag.
Let Groople help you choose wisely.