[Webinar] How To Increase Employee Engagement, Retention, and Alignment via Offsites
Check out this value-add, no-fluff webinar with Emily Smith (former Chief of Staff, Office of the CEO at Lattice), and Jessica Zwaan (COO at Talentful, ex Whereby). Click below to watch.
Recently, we held a webinar on how to increase employee engagement, retention, and alignment via Offsites.
We discussed topics such as:
how to measure employee engagement before, during, and after offsites
why Offsites support achieving business objectives through the "people" and "culture" side of things
what to do at your offsites in order to increase employee engagement, retention, and alignment
This all-value, no-fluff conversation featured:
Emily Smith, former Chief of Staff at Lattice
Jessica Zwaan, COO at Talent, and ex Whereby, Box
Jake White, a former Chief of Staff himself to a nuclear tech startup and employee #4 at Offsite (the "go-to" resource for planning in-person team retreats for hundreds of VC-backed companies such as Reforge, Buffer, and Remote).
And yours truly (Jared Kleinert, founder of Offsite)
I’ve added some notes below, but click the video to watch or head to YouTube.
In case you missed our last webinars, I'll link them below (there's full video replays as well as comprehensive, admittedly AI-generated notes for you).
Additionally, you may like some of these "oldie-but-goodies" from The Offsite Blog:
The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Team Retreat Room Block Contracts with Hotels
How To Plan A Great Offsite For Sales, Marketing, and Go-To-Market Teams
We'd love to host more webinars and write more content that actually helps you and your team, so if you have any requests...reply and let me know!
I read each response personally, and I lead all our marketing efforts here at Offsite :).
Thanks,
- Jared
As always, some friendly reminders:
1. Our curated marketplace can save you up to 40% on room blocks, meeting space, F&B, and more at over 1000 premier offsite venues globally. Click here to make a free account and begin submitting booking requests ASAP if you're planning any offsites for the end of 2024 and even into 2025.
2. We can also help you source other offsite vendors like swag, speakers, facilitators, day-of coordination / event production, travel, visas, on the ground shuttles and transportation, and more. Click here to submit your booking requests and we'll follow up with our recommendations.
3. We also offer end-to-end offsite planning services, and have helped hundreds of companies plan team retreats, customer conferences, and more.
This is perfect for those who want guidance on how to run the highest ROI offsites, while saving as much time as possible in planning because you're outsourcing everything to us.
We pay for ourselves in discounts with vendors, plus save you countless planning hours while thinking through how to help you give your team the most transformational experience possible. Book time with us to learn more here.
Main takeaways from this webinar:
Note - I used some experimental AI to generate these takeaways, so there may be some small issues here and there. Click into the timestamps at the beginning of each bolded section to watch that part of the interview to hear directly from us.
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00:00 Offsite events are essential for boosting employee engagement, retention, and alignment by fostering collaboration and connection, especially in remote and hybrid teams. Collapse
The webinar focuses on strategies to enhance employee engagement, retention, and alignment through offsite events.
Effective offsites and annual planning are crucial for enhancing employee engagement, retention, and alignment in organizations.
Effective employee engagement and problem-solving can be achieved through well-structured offsite meetings that bring diverse teams together to collaborate and execute solutions.
Jared, founder of Offsite, shares insights on the importance of team retreats for enhancing employee engagement and retention, particularly in the context of remote-first companies.
Offsites enhance employee engagement, retention, and alignment for remote and hybrid teams by fostering connection and collaboration among employees.
Immersive in-person offsites enhance team relationships and understanding of company culture, despite challenges in productivity and information access compared to technological experiences.
06:46 In-person offsites are crucial for rebuilding trust, enhancing employee engagement, and fostering alignment by creating strong team bonds and shared experiences. Collapse
The pandemic increased workplace productivity but led to a decline in relationships, trust, and culture, as the absence of a "third space" blurred the lines between home and work.
In-person offsites are essential for fostering employee engagement, trust, and a strong company culture.
Building strong team bonds through in-person offsites fosters alignment and engagement towards a common mission.
Offsites foster common memories, goals, and deeper relationships among employees, enhancing engagement, retention, and alignment, though quantifying their value remains challenging.
Clearly define your team's goals for the offsite, such as alignment on objectives or improving connectivity, before discussing budget considerations.
Setting tangible goals focused on experiences or problem-solving enhances engagement and alignment.
12:35 Offsites boost employee engagement and retention by fostering collaboration and alignment, but require clear goals, ongoing connection, and consistent positive experiences to maintain their impact. Collapse
Conducting anonymous pre- and post-offsite surveys helps identify employee wellness and concerns, enhancing engagement and alignment.
Clear goals are essential for measuring the success of offsites, which are often difficult to quantify like brand campaigns, and while surveys are commonly suggested, they may not be the best measurement tool.
Offsites are a useful tool for addressing alignment and other organizational challenges, but they are not a standalone solution and must be complemented by accurate financials and strategic discussions.
Investing $20,000 in an in-person offsite can prevent potential $2 million losses by fostering essential collaboration and creativity that online formats can't achieve.
Successful offsites enhance employee engagement and brand connection, but their impact may diminish over time, requiring consistent delivery of a positive experience.
Successful employee engagement and retention through offsites requires clear goals, ongoing connection, and a gradual approach to investment and measurement.
18:31 Smaller, targeted offsite meetings enhance employee engagement and alignment, paving the way for more effective collaboration and trust-building within teams. Collapse
Smaller in-person interactions can enhance team building and learning, especially for new executive teams during annual planning.
A successful one-day offsite led to increased employee engagement and requests for longer future sessions, emphasizing the importance of effective preparation and alignment.
A successful company kickoff event fosters employee engagement and trust, paving the way for larger gatherings and better alignment in the future.
To improve employee engagement and alignment, start with targeted offsites at departmental or cross-functional levels rather than attempting an all-company approach immediately.
Smaller, focused offsite meetings can yield greater employee engagement and alignment than large company-wide events.
Annual company offsites should include cross-team collaboration to foster spontaneous connections and community beyond daily work interactions.
25:57 Offsites enhance employee engagement, retention, and alignment by fostering connections through structured activities and clear goals, requiring careful planning and a positive atmosphere. Collapse
In-person meetings should focus on building connections and making decisions rather than just presenting information that could be shared online.
Offsites foster essential connections and problem-solving opportunities that enhance employee engagement, retention, and alignment through structured activities and clear goals.
Implementing structured offsite activities fosters employee engagement by promoting new messaging, cross-departmental connections, and a clear understanding of company goals.
Establishing clear goals and a consistent cadence for company offsites ensures ongoing employee engagement and alignment throughout the year.
Successful offsites require extensive pre-planning and generating excitement among participants to ensure engagement and a positive experience.
Creating a positive and engaging atmosphere for offsite events is crucial for employee morale and participation.
33:32 Enhance employee engagement at offsites by prioritizing personal responsibilities, clear communication, and meaningful connections over logistics. Collapse
Enhancing employee engagement during offsites involves acknowledging personal responsibilities, easing logistical burdens, and creating a welcoming atmosphere to ensure participants feel valued and excited.
Effective offsite planning requires clear communication of objectives and expectations to ensure all employees understand the purpose and benefits of participation.
Engage employees by addressing their concerns, emphasizing the importance of effective communication, and focusing on unique content creation during offsite events rather than just logistics.
Focus on qualitative outcomes during offsites rather than getting bogged down in logistics, and be prepared for inevitable challenges.
Expect unexpected challenges during offsites, and remember that individual responsibility is key to success.
Engaging offsites should prioritize the human aspect to enhance employee connection and effectiveness.
42:42 Encouraging vulnerability and tailored activities during offsites enhances employee engagement, connection, and alignment. Collapse
Vulnerability exercises, like sharing personal stories in small groups, foster deep connections and enhance team engagement and alignment.
Encouraging vulnerability in team offsites, led by the CEO, fosters strong connections and ownership among employees, but participants should be allowed to share at their comfort level.
Hosting All Hands meetings that include significant others fosters deeper connections among team members, humanizes relationships, and enhances employee engagement.
Engaging employees through tailored offsite activities fosters deeper connections and addresses specific team challenges.
Using engaging card games can foster deeper conversations about gratitude and struggles among employees, enhancing connection and understanding in the workplace.
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