Little Sleepies’ Post

Ever wondered about the real benefits of team retreats? A recent Stanford study had some insights. The Study: Examining an all-remote team's Slack communications before and after their annual retreat. Findings: 📈 A striking 120% uptick in online interactions post-retreat! But interestingly, these increased mainly among teammates with similar backgrounds. 🚕 But here's a twist: Even a simple cab ride to the event sparked connections regardless of backgrounds. The secret sauce? "Liminal spaces." These unplanned, casual moments where organic bonds form. Think spontaneous chats in a coffee queue or waiting in a registration line. Real connections often ignite in the most unexpected scenarios. Quick Tip: In our recent company retreat, we intentionally carved out more free time slots instead of a packed schedule. The feedback was the best we've ever received! If you're crafting a retreat for your remote team, drop me a message. I'd love to share more tips!

🌟 Retreat Reflections: Building Bonds Beyond Borders! 🌟 Recent work retreat was nothing short of incredible! It's remarkable how a change of scenery and some in-person quality time can foster connections that transcend Zoom screens and Slack gifs. 🌐 Meeting and connecting with new team members – excuse me, friends - from different corners of our organization and hear how their life stories unfolded in such interesting ways. 🤝 From brainstorming sessions to those late-night chats, the retreat was a beautiful balance of productivity, cross-team engagement, and team-building fun. Some highlights that stood out: 🕹 Arcade games and pinball battles. 🌄 Beautiful views at the local apple orchard. 🤣 Dinners and laughs with new friends. 🖌 And, my favorite, caricatures! It's heartwarming to know that our organization values not just the work we do but also the bonds we build. Here's to more collaborations, friendships, and unforgettable retreats in the future! #TeamBuilding #WorkRetreat #NewFriends #ProductivityBalance #MovingForward Apologies for the delayed post, but I've been caught up in the whirlwind of catch-up and a big move to a new state! 🚚

When teams gather for a company retreat, there's a tendency to fill the agenda with all the activities and discussions missed during remote work. However, this often results in an overloaded schedule, leaving little time for relaxed, meaningful team connections. Here are some strategies to ensure your retreat is both productive and enjoyable: ➡️ Clarify your objectives: what do you hope to achieve? Whether it's enhancing team cohesion or brainstorming new ideas, having a clear goal is crucial. ➡️ Relevant activities only: choose activities that directly support your objectives. This keeps the retreat focused and beneficial. ➡️ One major activity per day: this prevents the team from feeling overwhelmed and ensures high participation and enthusiasm. ➡️ Optional participation: not everyone may feel comfortable with all activities, so offering options can help cater to diverse preferences. ➡️ Allow for unstructured time: organic interactions often lead to the most valuable team bonding experiences. By implementing these tips, you’re more likely to achieve a successful and enjoyable retreat. Need assistance with planning? Reach out to us today. #CompanyRetreat #RetreatPlanning #TeamBuilding #TeamRetreat #Tips

Last week was my team’s first offsite since I transitioned into the President role of Organic Olivia. As a business leader, my first inclination in planning this offsite was to sit the team down and chat through our goals, our KPIs, our opportunities, and everything in between. And then it occurred to me - anything that can be done on zoom shouldn’t be done IRL, especially when you are a remote company and have a finite time together. But real human connection - that’s the one thing zoom can’t buy. My leadership style is to let emotion drive action, and so I knew that it’s where I had to focus. Many of our core team members had never met each other in person, and so I strategically scheduled the events in our offsite to connect us in a way that we hadn’t done before. Location: NYC, the most vibrant city in the world and where 40% of our team resides, at the chic and sophisticated Public Hotel. What did our time together include? Bringing in my incredible coach Allison L. Barnes, MA, PCC to lead a Lumina Spark full-day workshop, where we each got to take a personality assessment, learn more about our own personalities and what makes each of us tick on the team (spoiler alert - you learn how each person behaves when they’re overstretched, and thus how to approach them to de-escalate the situation). It also included a yoga and mala bead workshop led by my yoga instructor Ana, to connect to our bodies and add in some spirituality into the mix. We also had a few hours for what I called “slack IRL” - a time to ping pong ideas, ask questions you’d typically post on slack, and have a casual environment to get last minute work done. And of course, it included 3 incredible meals - because nothing brings people together like food. The outcome of the offsite? Greater understanding of ourselves and increased connection to each other. When you give people the safe space to be seen and heard, they will move mountains for you. And that’s exactly what we accomplished 🔥 #offsite #remotework #leadership #teamwork #healthandwellness

As we trudge through another year of board meetings and coffee-stained memos, aren't you ready to infuse fresh energy into your workplace dynamics? That's where company retreats come in. They're like vacations but paid for with the company card. 1️⃣ Personalized Planning: Imagine it as your team's version of "Build-A-Bear." Customize the retreat to your team's unique quirks and preferences. 2️⃣ Location, Location: Say goodbye to the land of cubicles and say hello to... well, anywhere else! After all, nothing screams innovation like brainstorming on a beach towel. 3️⃣ Engaging Activities: Spice things up with team-building games, workshops, and adventurous outings. Who says bonding can't be both productive and playful? It's like combining work with recess! 🎯 4️⃣ Professional Planners: Consider hiring retreat planners because why take on the logistical nightmare yourself when you can watch someone else navigate the chaos? It's like a reality show without the TV crew. 5️⃣ Clear Objectives: Don't just retreat; advance! Set goals that are so ambitious that they make Taylor Swift look like a slacker. Okay, maybe not that extreme, but you get the idea. Ready to make your next company retreat a game-changer? 🚀 Let's craft an experience that recharges your team's spirit and maybe even includes a bit of mandatory fun! #CompanyRetreats #TeamBuildingAdventures #WorkplaceRevival #CorporateRetreat #EventPlanner #CompanyCulture #Offsite

Embrace the transformative experience of a corporate retreat – a dedicated time to step away, recharge, and return with renewed focus. In the midst of everyday hustle, remember the importance of self-care and team bonding for enhanced productivity and well-being. 🌄🌱 #CorporateRetreat #RechargeAndReconnect #WellnessAtWork

Is a happy space tucked away in moments of solitude, or can it be where we spend most of our waking hours - at work? 🤔✨ Today, let's redefine our workspaces as zones of joy and creativity! A great work culture thrives in happy spaces, fostering innovation and teamwork. This International Happiness Day, let's commit to building work environments where happiness is as essential as productivity. Here's to celebrating happier office routines and making every corner a happy space! 🎉💼 Reach knockwalk.com to learn more about us. #internationaldayofhappiness #happiness #smileeveryday #UnlockingPotential #shapingfutures #remarkablejourney #EnrichingJourney #personalgrowth #professionalgrowth #BuildingConnections #TransformativeJourney #ConfidenceBuilding #success #teambuilding #individualgrowth #KnockWalkCommunity #BusinessSuccess #BusinessGrowth #TeamEmpowerment #ProfessionalDevelopment #productivity #DiscoverYourStrengths #KnockWalkRetreats

How about... We rethink company retreat team bonding events? Let's face it, when it comes to company retreats you picture idyllic escapes, reconnecting with colleagues, and igniting team spirit. But in reality? Back-to-back presentations and stale discussions trap you in a glorified conference room, just with a different view. Not exactly rejuvenating, is it? By the time the "team bonding" event rolls around, everyone's glazed over from sales reports and projections. Who wants to "connect" when all you crave is a drink and catching up on a flooded inbox? Here's a radical idea: we rethink company retreats. Ditch the endless decks and lectures. Let's dedicate those precious afternoon hours to fostering real team bonding, when people are actually engaged, fresh, and open to connection. Strategic meetings can still be valuable, but the retreat should be more than just work. It's about building a stronger team – a team that thrives on collaboration, respect, and communication. This kind of spirit doesn't magically appear from a projector screen. It's forged through shared experiences, laughter, and the chance to see each other outside the usual routine. So, what do you say? Let's break the mold and rethink company retreats. Ditch the decks, spark connections, and bring your team back feeling energized and ready to conquer anything together. Share your ideas! How do you ensure your team leaves retreats feeling truly connected? #corporateretreats #teambonding #teambuilding #companyculture

Six months ago, I set a date for an all-team retreat in January. In December, I canceled it. Here’s why I think this decision was so critical for our team. We hired 3 new colleagues in Q4. Their expertise and fresh insights are game-changers for us. But they couldn't reshuffle their personal lives to make the retreat work on such short notice. For a fully remote team, every in-person moment is precious. We couldn't afford to miss anyone at the retreat. Leading a distributed team is new terrain for me. One thing's clear: nothing replicates the bond from casual, face-to-face interactions. We had a few in-person meetings last year, and our relationships jumped light years. I want that for our new colleagues, too. Our company has tripled in size. Planning retreats is now more challenging and costlier. We have to make each one count. We're aiming for March now. The agenda? It's long, but it's not the main event. Our primary mission: Fostering deep connections and embracing our new members. Every retreat is a chance to solidify our team's foundation and culture.

In our fast-paced workdays, a touch of fun can boost creativity, collaboration, and overall productivity. 🚀 Whether it's a themed dress-up day, a team-building activity, or a lunchtime quiz, creating moments of laughter and camaraderie can truly uplift spirits and foster a positive work culture. Reflecting on my own experiences, I've witnessed how a simple office game or a shared joke can break down barriers, enhance communication, and strengthen relationships amongst team members. The ripple effect of levity in the office transcends beyond mere enjoyment; it nurtures a supportive and engaging atmosphere where everyone feels valued and connected. So, why not sprinkle a bit of fun into your workweek? Share your favorite fun office activities below and let's inspire each other to bring a brighter, more vibrant energy into our workspaces. Let's create environments where innovation thrives, collaboration flourishes, and, most importantly, where smiles abound! #OfficeFun #WorkplaceCulture #TeamEngagement