One part of the retreat that I never have a problem planning is what we will eat and drink!  I love to look at the food options, plan the menu, the timing and how it will be served.  One thing that should be considered when planning the food for an event is the diet needs of those attending.  There is nothing like having a big BBQ with no veggie options only to find out that some of your guests are vegetarians.  Oops!

So, one thing I always recommend is that you not only ask people what their preferences are, but always plan for the ‘unexpected’.  I generally try and have two dishes that are strictly vegetarian and I will even try and have one soup that is vegan.

In addition to diets, another consideration is whether you want to try and go with locally grown foods, all organic, or at least pesticide free.  Many restaurants, caterers and chefs are offering local fare as an option, and on the Central Coast there are some who are dedicated to preparing local food, only.  For out of town guests this is a great opportunity to bring a local flavor to meal time.

Whatever you do for food, have fun with it!  A retreat is a perfect place to get people to try something new and to be a bit adventurous with the menu.  At retreats, the time around the table can be some of the most productive time.  It’s amazing how food will lighten the mood and help people relax.

Bon Apetit!

As I start to ramp up my own business around helping people escape so they can focus, I go back and forth on using the term, ‘Offsite’.  Why, you ask?  Mainly because of the negative connotations this word may have to the group I’m targeting (start-ups, tech people, small to mid-size companies).  Almost everyone has had a bad offsite experience, and wonders if they are really worth it.  The thing is, if not planned well by the leader, they are NOT worth it.  That is the truth.

I’m here to tell you that when planned well, they can have a positive and meaningful impact on your company, team and product.  When a group is able to get out of the everyday routine, AND they are led by a person or persons who have truly thought about the end goal of an offsite, it is amazing what can be accomplished.

I read this article about planning an offsite,  and thought I would post the great list they came up with.  If you want more detail around each item, take a look at the article where there is great information.

Step 1: Identify Your Purpose

Step 2: Identify the Participants

Step 3: Pick a Location

Step 4: Plan Your Activities

Step 5: Inform Your Team

Step 6: Find a Facilitator

Step 7: Write a Complete Agenda

Step 8: Measure Your Success

I think the key to a good offsite is starting with the end.  What do I mean… I mean, what do you want to walk away with?  A business plan, a product, a list of long term goals for the company or team, a completed budget?  Once you define the end goal, you will have a much easier time creating your path to get there.

Have fun planning an offsite, and know that it can be a good experience that creates real results.

Something I love to do, whether it’s for myself or for a group of people, is to plan working getaways.  There is something about getting out of the office and into a a great remote location that can help people get a lot of good work done.  Surrounded by nature, where you can’t be interrupted, work takes on a whole new feel.  You can think about that project that you keep setting to the side, can focus as a group on future plans, or can focus on that new software product and walk away with a prototype (or better yet a bet version that people can start using!).

While a lot of people think (and justifiably so) that group off-site = lots of fluffy stuff that has no real long term impact… when an off-site is limited to a small (3-6 people) group of people with a very focused mission and end goal… the results can be staggering.  You may be shocked by what can be produced over 48-72 hours… entire companies and products can be launched over a focused getaway.

So, the next time you’re trying to figure out how you and/or your team are going to pull of your idea(s)… think about a well planned getaway.  Your business will thank you for it!