Big Blue Adventures’ Post

𝗢𝗳𝗳𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱: 𝟯 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 Two weeks have passed since our bi-annual company offsite. This time, we spent an incredible week in Mallorca and I'm still amazed. It was an event that did not only leave us with lasting memories, but also helped us strengthen our special company culture once more. For sure the stunning location ☀️ provided the perfect backdrop for our team members to connect. But in the end it’s the thoughtful design that is key to impactful offsites. Here are some key takeaways from our autumn offsite: 1️⃣ Prioritize personal connections:  Instead of allocating time to work on projects (which we do remotely very well) we dedicated a lot of time to foster deeper bonds among team members. While structured team activities are great, dedicated time for socializing and in-depth non-work related discussions is equally important. These unstructured moments during meals, poolside gatherings and beach outings helped deepen connections. 2️⃣ Encourage team-led sessions:  Empower team members to co-create their own sessions on topics they're passionate about, whether it's work-related or personal. This is a great way to showcase individual interests and connect with colleagues who share similar passions. 3️⃣ Embrace the Joy of Missing Out (JOMO):  Offer a variety of activities, but also encourage team members to follow their own flow. This flexibility allows individuals to use some time to recharge and enjoy some personal time in between activities. Big Kudos to Andrea Strohmayr, from Culture By Design, who helped us shape this event and experience. ⭐️ We fully achieved our goal of deepening team connections, and I'm really looking forward to our next offsite already. What is your experience with designing team or company offsites? 

The 7 Deadly Sins of Corporate Offsites! 🏆 Corporate offsites are back on top of the podium! According to a recent study, "The State of Corporate Travel," team offsites have once again become the #1 reason for business travel. 🤦🏻♀️ But the reports also points out a teensy problem: “some executives have a negative perception of traditional corporate offsites.” So, we've dug into corporate offsites and have discovered: The 7 Deadly Sins of Corporate Offsites (and what you can do to avoid them). Here's the 1st Sin of Corporate Offsites... 😩 #1: “Offsites that Bore People into Submission” ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1️⃣ Imbalance of Presentations vs Interactive Exercises: Researchers found that for every 30 minutes of instruction and theory, you need to balance it with 30 minutes of interactive exercises.  When that ratio is out of balance, chances are you're losing your audience.   2️⃣ Poorly Designed Environment The physical setting matters! An uncomfortable or distracting environment can hinder engagement. Opt for non-traditional, open spaces when possible. Add inspiring decorations and music to create a vibrant atmosphere conducive to productivity and engagement.   3️⃣ Activities Aren't Built for Fun Many offsite activities lean towards the safe and traditional which tends to lose people’s attention. The most effective activities blend play and purpose together seamlessly. It is a form of corporate alchemy that gets people up on their feet and hyper engaged. ---------------------------------   👉  To discover the other deadly sins and what you can do about it, check out the Comments Section. 💡 About Deliberate Innovation: We help forward thinking leaders to go offsite and solve their most unsolvable challenges. John Klick Cal Austin Gail Martino, Ph.D. Debbie Botwick Laura Costain, CPCC Meredith Dickinson Bob Kalison

Recently we had the Total Rewards team together for our “onsite offsite” - we took time from the daily grind to meet, but had it on location in our Sleepy Hollow offices. This is us at our team building virtual golf night. I appreciate everyone’s willingness to get outside their comfort zone and try something new. In the discomfort of that, here’s what I learned: 1. This team can get comfortable being uncomfortable - important in golf and in life. 2. We can laugh through adversity - at ourselves and each other. So incredibly important. 3. What we lack in golf skills, we make up for in incredible team spirit and support for one another. 4. You guys are my “work why” - on the tough days, I remind myself how lucky I am to be a part of this team and it gets me through.

I recently came across an insightful article by Harvard Business Review discussing the impact of offsite events, something we proudly offer at Booming Performance. Above, you’ll find a quote from a participant in one of our recent offsites, which gives you a glimpse into the experience of the day. So, what did Harvard Business Review uncover? After studying eight years of data from a firm’s annual offsites, here are some key takeaways: ▪ Offsites create opportunities for interactions that might not otherwise happen. ▪ They provide a unique setting for employees to connect in person, building new relationships and strengthening existing ones. ▪ Offsites help individuals learn about each other’s knowledge and build interpersonal trust, critical ingredients for effective collaboration. ▪ Teams reported a 24% increase in incoming collaborative work requests after attending offsites. We’re passionate about curating offsite experiences that foster collaboration and create lasting impact. If you're considering an offsite event for your organisation, we’d love to help you design an experience that drives collaboration and success. #offsites #organisationevents #eventfacilitator #organisationfacilitator #harvardbusinessreview

Offsites aren’t just a day away - they’re a powerful opportunity. Done right, they give you a chance to: ✅ Get everyone on the same page about the big goals ✅ Boost energy and motivation ✅ Rethink how you collaborate To get the most out of your offsite, ask yourself these three key questions when planning your agenda: 1️⃣ What’s the ONE thing we really need to accomplish? Make sure you know exactly why you're having the offsite. Is it to get aligned on strategy? Tackle a specific issue? Build trust within the team? Stick to one or two key goals - trying to do too much can turn into a messy day that feels all over the place instead of productive. 2️⃣ How do we mix strategy with connection? Offsites shouldn’t just be back-to-back meetings. Include some fun and creativity, and plan some team-building activities. Balance structured sessions (like brainstorming and planning) with moments that help build personal bonds - people usually do better when they feel part of a tight-knit crew. 3️⃣ What’s our game plan for after the offsite? You’ll probably come up with some great ideas, but if there’s no follow-up, they don’t mean much. Make sure to assign clear owners for every next step and set deadlines before the day wraps up. Keep everything organised in one place, like a shared Notion or Miro board, so you can track decisions and action items. Get these answers right, and your offsite becomes more than just a “nice day out" - it’s a springboard for real results. Need a game-changing offsite? We’re ready when you are 👉 https://lnkd.in/eNW46_sm

The main reason I went into event planning was the people. It sounds cheesy to say, but crafting people's experiences and contributing to the creation of new memories is what drives me. I joined Surf Office for this exact reason, and after almost 7 months, the thrill of clients' feedback is still what gets me the most. I love hearing them talk about how their offsites brought them closer as employees (some even as friends), and how they created great memories. It's realising " wow, I can really do this job well", every time a client is happy and satisfied 😍 #eventplanning #retreatplanning #offsites #companytrips

✨ Why Your Business Needs a Corporate Retreat ✨ Imagine your team splitting into squads, facing off in a thrilling axe-throwing competition, followed by building pizzas that actually taste great (sometimes)! Toss in beer tastings, tug-of-war, and endless laughs—sound like something your crew would love? Corporate retreats aren’t just about breaking up the routine—they build stronger connections, spark creativity, and remind your team why they work together. And hey, the best ideas often come when you’re throwing an axe instead of sitting in a meeting! 🔨💡 Ready to bring your team closer in the most fun way possible? Let’s plan something unforgettable!

This January, I had the chance to attend not one but two offsites, and let me tell you – it was invigorating! 🙌 Don't get me wrong, I love remote work as I find it nearly impossible to concentrate when there's chatter around me. 🙉 But there’s something special about bringing everyone into the same room to focus, brainstorm, and connect. Here’s why offsites are such a game-changer: 💡 Big ideas are born: Collaborating in person sparks creativity and helps teams tackle problems from new angles. 🤝 Stronger connections: It's easier to build trust and camaraderie when you can grab coffee together or share laughs in between sessions. 🎯 Faster decision-making: With everyone in the same space, you can cut through the back-and-forth and align on initiatives quickly. 🛠️ Hands-on problem-solving: There's nothing like a whiteboard (and some markers!) to tackle complex challenges together. Remote work is amazing, but offsites remind us of the energy and magic of coming together as a team. Can’t wait for the next one! Andy Crossley, Brennan Partner, Michael Cruz, Todd Jenkins, Aziz Azeez, Luke McGowan ( we missed you!)

Have you ever worked someone that had rituals and traditions? What feels different about that versus a work environment without tradition? I don't mean that every company requires a rich history - these can be as simple as monthly events. Maybe you and your coworkers look forward to the first Friday of every month because the company put together an intentional adventure. Imagine building memories and team moral by getting opportunities to play Top Golf or go to karaoke. Rituals and traditions have a unique way of bringing company culture to life. 🌟 That's what we love about helping companies. We get to curate events anywhere from 50-800 attendees, some annual, some quarterly, and we've even designed team-building retreats. What I'll say is that these aren’t just events; they’re moments that build lasting connections and celebrate what a company stands for. We design events that capture the heart of your company’s mission, creating experiences that bring teams together and inspire shared pride and purpose. Ready to make your company culture unforgettable? Let’s connect! 🤝

Keeping amazing employees these days is no easy feat. But you know what can give you a competitive edge? Getting the whole crew together for an offsite retreat! A little team bonding goes a long way in building that loyalty and creating a vibe where everyone feels valued and understood. Workshop offers different ways to foster that sense of connection. Owner Katherine Thrower will walk you through options to create the right experience for your team within your budget. Learn more at WorkshopLocal.com.