Businesses look to win staff over as interest in corporate retreats rise

Latest reports have found that more than four in ten employees reported feeling ‘very’ or ‘somewhat’ lonely at work and with the rise of remote working, so it comes as no surprise that corporate travel management experts at Wings Global Travel have noted a 24% surge in Google searches for ‘corporate retreats’ as companies aim to boost morale.

According to Forbes, the physical environment of a corporate retreat plays a crucial role in effectiveness. Moving away from traditional office structures allows teams to break free from routine, fostering a sense of camaraderie and, ultimately, sparking fresh ideas.

Rebecca Gunn, Head of Global Marketing at Wings Global Travel added “When choosing a location, prioritize accessibility to ensure a smooth travel experience for your entire team.

“By moving beyond the traditional one-day format and embracing strategic planning, businesses can leverage the power of corporate retreats to build stronger teams, ignite creativity, and achieve lasting success.”

With this in mind, experts at Wings Global Travel have shared tips on how to maximize a corporate retreat for maximum return on investment.

Four key considerations for corporate retreats to maximize your return on investment

1. Set clearly defined objectives
   One of the first things you should do when planning a corporate retreat is to decide specific goals you want to achieve. Are you focusing on improving communication, problem solving skills, or innovation? By understanding your objectives of a corporate retreat, it can help steer you in deciding what’s best for your business.
2. Be strategic in the environment you choose
   Despite on your objectives; you should choose a location that inspires and nurtures collaboration. Immersing teams in nature or a new cultural setting can positively impact internal dynamics.

   In fact, the mental health charity, Mind states, “Spending time in nature has been found to help with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. For example, research into ecotherapy (a type of formal treatment which involves doing activities outside in nature) has shown it can help with mild to moderate depression. This might be due to combining regular physical activity and social contact with being outside in nature.“

3. Targeted activities can build team bonds but keep inclusivity at the forefront of your mind 
   Activities should directly align with your retreat objectives. If you’re looking to strengthen team bonds, consider team building exercises that build trust and communication like a scavenger hunt. Skill sharing sessions can help sharing ideas, experience and knowledge transfer.

   Diversity and inclusivity are paramount – ensure activities cater to all participants. Consider employees that may have hidden disabilities and those who choose not to consume alcohol and pick activities that reflect this.

4. Continuous improvement is imperative 
   Following your corporate retreat you should always gather post retreat feedback. This will help you understand the impact of activities you’ve chosen and make informed decisions for future retreats.