This month, we held our annual company retreat in Vail, Colorado. For DSI, the company retreat creates value that we cannot emulate in an office. Team building, making plans for the future and taking in some fresh air were among the many things we accomplished during our weekend away. Each year we look forward to this opportunity to regroup and recharge our batteries as a team. Here are four reasons to leave the office for a few days with your team:
1. Camaraderie
Nothing says camaraderie like spending breakfast, lunch and dinner with your co-workers. In fact, we had one of our most interesting conversations of the weekend when the question “What was your first concert?” was posed during dinner the first night we were in Vail. This simple question prompted a lively dialogue among the members of our team, creating an opportunity to get to know each other on a deeper, more personal level. Remember, behind every office door is someone who may have seen Fleetwood Mac in the 70’s or Prince in the 80’s. Unless you ask the question, who knows what you might have in common.
2. Future
Like all industries, the future of data storage is changing rapidly. We dedicated time during our retreat to discuss ways to stay ahead of industry trends while keeping with the overall company vision. During this time we established a three-year plan for company growth, covering revenue projections and developing a strategic plan for hiring additional team members. Why wait until a company retreat to have these important conversations? We believe that retreats create a sense of involvement that can prompt creative participation from team members that does not always happen in an office environment.
3. Mind Cleansing
Exercising your mind and body is just as important as spending time discussing and planning for the future. To clear our meeting-filled minds, we hiked through the mountains enjoying the beautiful scenery. Being an effective team requires you to take a step back and get a fresh perspective. Clearing your mind gives you an opportunity to focus on company and personal goals in a different way.
4. Team Building
While in Vail, our team participated in the Drama Diagnostic 360 quiz. The goal was to ensure that effective communication skills are being utilized for each individual within the company. Our results showed that most of the people on the DSI team have similar personality traits, which sparked a conversation about how important company culture is for DSI. This conclusion gave our team members insight into what type of future hires will work well within our established teams and company culture.