Five Ways To Build A Better Business With A Work-Free Retreat
Posted on Thu, Jul 07, 2011
By Katie
In May, Metis celebrated its six-year anniversary – a big milestone for some of us who have been with the company for many years. To celebrate, we headed to New Orleans, where our two co-founders attended
Loyola University New Orleans, or as we say, “Where it all began.”
Some of our team members had never been to New Orleans before, so it was a great opportunity to see the city, eat some gumbo,
listen to some jazz, and let loose.
What are the business benefits of a work-free retreat? Well:
- Celebrate success and long-standing relationships. For companies lucky enough to employ amazing people, it is a privilege to celebrate anniversaries and milestones with those who made it happen. Take the time to reward yourself and your employees, and prepare for the work that will go into reaching the next milestone.
- Honor beginnings. It’s important to look back on how things began. By returning to New Orleans, our team was able to visit the stomping grounds that are an integral part of our founders’ history and the source of the PR ideals, beliefs and values of our company.
- Offer services. When we weren’t eating and drinking all that marvelous city had to offer, we stopped by Loyola Professor Dr. Cathy Rogers’ PR class, which was about to compete in the nationwide Bateman Case Study Competition. We offered advice, criticism and well wishes. (Congrats to the team for placing second!)
- Expand horizons and experience new cultures. We were so thankful to experience the music, food, heritage, history and architecture of NOLA. Traveling to new places and expanding cultural views helps build stronger teams. When you escape the daily office minutia, bonds form over shared experiences and inside jokes, only increasing employee loyalty and dedication.
- Be thankful. This one is pretty self-explanatory. Your employees will be forever thankful to you for creating new memories and honoring their hard work. (Please consider this our cheesy “thank you” to Metis’ very generous founders. )