Characteristics of successful offsites
A work ‘offsite’ is defined as a business event that is not located or occurring at the site of its normal activity. I love facilitating them as it provides an opportunity for a culture reset, refresh, or reinvention. I’ve run them in hotels, skyscrapers, private members clubs, sports stadiums, surf clubs, in a mountain shack and even outside!
Many people make the mistake of planning or running their offsites poorly, such that they become just another meeting, just in a more expensive venue. This is a huge opportunity loss.
So if you’re planning an offsite this year, here are some tips to ensure that it hits the mark.
A successful offsite starts long before anyone leaves the building. It begins with clarity: what's the purpose and what outcomes do you want? Simply calling it a 'leadership day' isn't enough. Gain everyone’s commitment and ensure - through your communication and planning - that they are excited about it.
The venue matters more than most people realise. Choose a space that inspires creativity and shifts mindsets or that brings people together. Not just another windowless conference room in casual clothes. An Airbnb property can work better than an expensive hotel if it provokes a reaction and allows productive work to happen.
Ensure that everyone has time to talk, either to the room (if the numbers allow) or to each other. You’ll be amazed at the ideas that are unlocked through unstructured time to talk. Yes, you need an agenda, but every minute doesn’t have to be filled with action.
Structure the day around information, action, reflection and relaxation. Ditch the PowerPoint presentations, parking lots and devices. Use a skilled facilitator to ensure that it runs like clockwork and that the outcomes are actually achieved.
Inject humour wherever possible. Not only does it encourage psychological safety, it’s also a reminder that when work becomes stressful, we have an inbuilt release valve that we can access at any time.
Finish with something social to allow people to talk about what they’ve learned and the commitments that they will make going forward.
An offsite is a great way to recommit to each other and the challenges and opportunities ahead, but only if you do it right.
