Greg Van Horn’s Post

Crucial now. Particularly the need to foster vertical connections - trust, collaboration and communication.

The value that #corporateretreats bring goes beyond #remotework and global pandemics, offering a chance to build engagement, trust, and alignment among team members. In this Forbes article, David Michels breaks down seven corporate retreat ideas.

Did you know that 70% of strategic offsites fail to meet their objectives? 📉 It's time to flip the script! 🔄 Master the art of creating an offsite agenda that's not just engaging, but also incredibly effective! 🎯 Crafting the perfect agenda is a delicate balance. It's about aligning team goals with activities that stimulate both the mind and the spirit. Using the 20:30:50 rule by Chase Warrington– 20% dedicated work sessions, 30% planned social and entertainment activities, and 50% rest and relaxation – can transform your offsite from a potential burnout trigger to a rejuvenation haven. 🌿 ☕ Avoid cramming in too much. Instead, focus on quality over quantity. Remember, a relaxed mind is a creative mind. 🧘🏻♀️ Incorporate mindful practices. A 10-minute meditation or a short breathwork session can work wonders in re-energizing your team. ✅ Embrace flexibility. Make most activities optional, allowing team members to choose their own adventure and return to work sessions feeling refreshed and engaged. 👉 For Organizations: Recognize the power of a well-planned agenda. It's not just a schedule; it's a roadmap to success. 👉 For Managers: Listen to your team's needs. Balance structured activities with ample downtime for the best results. 👉 For Employees: Speak up about what works for you. Your feedback is crucial in shaping an agenda that benefits everyone. 🔥 Question: What’s one thing you’d love to see in your next offsite agenda? Let's gather some amazing ideas! 💡 📣 Stay tuned! This series is all about making your next offsite a roaring success. Don't miss out on our upcoming tips and insights! 🚀 👀 Watch this space for more! *************** At #virtualspacehero we are a team of remote work and hybrid leadership experts 🚀 Supporting you in leveraging the power of hybrid and virtual teams and learning in your organization. 🚀 Providing training, consultancy, and keynotes in more than 10 languages. Like this post? Want to see more? 🔝 Connect with us 🔔 Ring the bell on our Profile 📧 Subscribe to our newsletter here: https://buff.ly/3LR5Ssq 🔥 Follow #virtualspacehero

The Power of Company Retreats 💥 Did you know, that over 60% of employees report generating new ideas during retreats that they wouldn't have thought of in a traditional office setting? In today's fast-paced work environment, taking a step back can often be the key to moving forward. Company retreats are not just a luxury but a strategic investment in your team's well-being and productivity. Company retreats offer a unique opportunity for employees to connect on a deeper level, beyond the office walls and virtual meetings. By creating an environment with plenty of relaxation and open communication, retreats help break down barriers, build trust, and enhance collaboration. Team members return with a renewed sense of camaraderie, ready to tackle challenges together and effectively. A well-planned retreat shows employees that they are valued. It’s an opportunity to reward hard work and dedication, which can significantly boost morale. Retreats offer a dedicated time for strategic planning without the distractions of daily tasks. It’s a chance for leadership and teams to align on goals, set clear objectives, and develop a shared vision for the future. 80% of executives believe that offsite meetings are crucial for long-term business success. Investing in company retreats is investing in your team’s success. It’s about creating a culture of trust, innovation, and continuous growth. In today’s competitive landscape, the benefits of retreats are clear – it’s about moving forward, together. Where are you taking your team next? Reach out to us today to find out how we can help you plan your perfect retreat. #CompanyCulture #TeamBuilding #EmployeeEngagement #CompanyRetreats #BusinessGrowth www.relaunchretreats.com

Why have an office when the world is our playground? At Lead Makers, we ditched the office cubicles for global horizons. Here's why we thrive in a 100% remote culture: 🌏 Global Playground: Why limit ourselves to four walls? Our team collaborates from beaches in Bali to cafes in Paris. Creativity knows no bounds when you're free to work where you're happiest. 🔮 Vivid Vision: We don't just set goals; we paint our future. Every team member is fueled by a shared, vivid vision, driving us forward like a rebel on a mission. 📄 One Page Strategic Plan: Complexity? Nah. We keep it simple yet powerful. Our strategies fit on a single page, making sure we're all vibing on the same frequency. 🎯 OKRs: Precision? We've got it. Our OKRs are the compass that guide our wild ideas towards concrete results. This isn't just a work policy. It's our recipe for groundbreaking ideas and growth that just won't quit. So, what's your take on the future of work? Are you ready to break free and join the revolution? Let us know in the comments! P.S. Drop a 🌍 if you love the idea of working from your dream destination!

What can you learn in the office break room? I miss the feel of the packed office from pre-2020. I see the value of hybrid and work from home flexibility that has benefited so many professionals, but I wonder how much I may have missed if I had spent the past 22 years of my career at home. I had the hunger to still learn the technical and leadership skills, but I think I would have missed out on so many chance encounters with people that don't work in my group, nuggets of wisdom from someone who asked about today's challenges and offered a story from their past that helped me rethink the solution. I wouldn't have had the chance to listen to others in the office who were genuinely curious about how other people think and interact. Mostly I would have missed out on new friends outside my normal circles. I shared lunch with a former coworker today and learned so much from how this person views challenges through a different lens and I was reminded to "never waste a lunch" phrase used by a leader I respect. Work in a way that fits best for you, but don't forget to see who you can meet and what you can learn in the office break room or at a lunch with people you don't work with every day. #leadership #relationships

Remote-first companies can still meet in person. In fact, I think it's an essential ingredient of the remote-first approach. Here's how we bring people together at WithMe, Inc. 1️⃣ All-Company Summit (once per year) We fly everyone to one city for intensive training, workshops, and social events. This is always energizing, informative, and fun event. 2️⃣ Leadership team meetings (quarterly) Members of the leadership team get together and review and plan quarterly objectives on-site. We choose a different city each quarter to keep things fresh. (Photo is from Nashville last week). 3️⃣ Department meetings (annual). Each department gets together at some point in the year, for more focused in-person work and socializing. The sales team met in March, and the marketing team in January. These aren't the only ways we connect in person. Many of our teammates fly around the country for conferences and we often find opportunities to connect with whomever is nearby. What do you think? Are there other good ways to augment a remote-first workplace with in-person gatherings?

𝐈𝐬 𝐚 𝐂𝐄𝐎 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬? At Bolt, we’ve fostered a company culture that makes every day, even CEO visits, feel natural and enjoyable. Here’s how we do it: 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Our office open space includes everyone, from entry-level employees to top management. 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: We use Slack for instant communication, eliminating the need for cumbersome email chains and formalities. 𝐍𝐨 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐝𝐞: Our relaxed dress policy allows everyone to feel comfortable and be themselves. 😎 When our CEO visits the Warsaw office, it’s business as usual, and we look forward to: Country-Level Meetings: We provide updates on every business line, something we regularly do every two months, anyway. Team Lunches: We invite everyone for lunch and informal gatherings, which happen at least twice a month, anyway. Open Q&A Sessions: Employees can ask the CEO anything on their mind, fostering transparency and open dialogue. Direct Communication: If you’re too shy to ask questions during the Q&A, you can chat with the CEO over pizza, coffee, or directly message him on Slack. At Bolt, every team member is valued, and our culture reflects that. How does your company handle leadership visits?

For the advisor leading a virtual team, the day-to-day can offer a rewarding blend of flexibility, creativity, and productivity; at the same time, though, many of the benefits of remote work can also make it challenging to build a tight-knit team culture.  In this article, Kitces Managing Editor Sydney Squires shares how the fully virtual Kitces team constructs its biannual team retreats – and how other leaders of virtual teams can also plan and execute a retreat of their own. She shares: -Vision setting and theme -Tips to master the logistics -Retreat planning timeline and checklist (with downloadable templates) https://bit.ly/4965HTE #advicers