It's Time for a Business Retreat

Because of the “new normal”, businesses are at a crossroad with the office.  What do I mean by that?  Many business owners have adopted a work from home strategy.  Studies have shown that productivity and effectiveness haven’t changed in fact they’ve increased, which is incredible unless your business is a travel agency.  With what’s going on in the world today, this seems to be the safest and healthiest route, so I totally understand.  Business travel has almost become extinct and the world of Zoom conference calls, virtual events and virtual school seem to be here to stay.  So why then is an owner of a travel agency, www.latitudetrips.com, writing about the lack of desired travel?  I was watching CNBC’s Squawk Alley on Tuesday and Jason Calacanis, an American Internet entrepreneur, angel investor, author and podcaster came on and was talking about the workplace today and how it has changed.  He said, “I’m not going to be able to compete for people unless I tell them they can work from Napa or Lake Tahoe and come see me every month for a retreat.”  Hmmm, a retreat…no I got it, let’s take this one step further, a business retreat.  Everyone today is trying to find innovative ways to reinvent their business and that day I had the light bulb above my head moment.

 

What is a business retreat?  Typically, it’s an opportunity to take high producers to a compelling destination for a short period of time with goals of creating more strategic thinking, reflection and team building.  Or it can be just the opposite, taking an underperforming team out of the home office and putting them in an amazing venue and as Austin Powers so elegantly stated, “get their MOJO back.”  Side note…during quarantine, we recently watched all the Austin Powers movies so hence the reference.  Either way, the end game is still the same, collaborate in a different environment to spawn creativity, efficiency and productivity.  Although surrounded by people that you work with, these retreats are also a way for individuals to network organically and create an opportunity to bond outside of the business setting.  Yes, there will be meetings, but just look around you.  You are not staring at 9 boxes on your computer screen in business attire (don’t kid yourself you know you have shorts and flip flops on below) talking about the latest numbers.  You are in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Las Vegas, Nevada or Granby, Colorado “working!”

 

This sounds like a great idea, now what?  I will set up a convenient time for us to talk and we can start hammering out the details like budget, destination, transportation and activities.  Like in many things it’s all about LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION.  The retreat has to take place in a spot where people are compelled to visit.  It also has to have a delicate balance of work, team building and free time in order to be successful. 

 

Let’s dive into the location.  Where is the best place to conduct a business retreat?  It really depends on budget and travel time.  When it comes to dinero, well that speaks for itself just grasp the idea that this is an investment in your business.  Do you want them to attend via plane, train or automobile? Plane would give you the most flexibility, train would be a really unique experience but not nearly as flexible and by car would have to be within 4 hours.  How about the accommodations?  It could be as simple as renting a house on a huge lake in the mountains or a globally awarded premier guest ranch, the world is your oyster.  There is a plethora of outstanding locations throughout the United States and globally for you to choose from.  Here are a couple of my personal favorites:

 

Teton Mountain Lodge and Spa:

 

Voted by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the top hotels in the American West, the lodge is just one mile from the entrance to Grand Teton National Park and surrounds you with rustic style and warmth that define the quintessential Jackson Hole lodge experience.  Enjoy easy access to the wide-open spaces and solitude found right outside our lodge.  Adventures abound as well, with easy access to the destination’s most iconic experiences including wildlife safaris, scenic river trips, whitewater rafting, and guided fly fishing on blue-ribbon waters.  The Yellowstone National Park entrance is also just one and half hours away adding even more options for team building as well as relaxation.

 

Now this particular photo is in winter, however it can be available almost year-round depending on Mother Nature.  The closest airport is the Jackson Hole Airport and roughly 40 minutes away.  Jackson Hole Airport is serviced by Delta, United Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and American Airlines (seasonally) as well as private jet.

 

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise:

 

Surrounded by soaring mountain peaks, the majestic Victoria Glacier and a glistening emerald lake, the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel is located in Alberta's Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is recognized globally for progressive environmental stewardship and responsible tourism.  This resort features breathtaking views of Lake Louise and the surrounding Canadian Rocky Mountains. Elegant and polished, yet relaxed and inviting, this 539-room luxury resort in Banff National Park lives up to the natural wonder with which we share our name.  The closest airport to Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is Calgary International Airport.  Calgary International Airport is located approximately 125 miles East of the resort and most major airline carriers fly into Calgary.

 

These are just two examples of compelling locations, but it could also be as simple as a house in the Smokey Mountains or a cottage in the Finger Lakes region in upstate New York.  The goal here is to get away from the normal and go someplace to get those creative juices flowing.  As with most travel plans, booking everything ahead of time can be proven to be cost effective especially in non-peak times or the off season.  I have established relationships with a variety of resorts that specialize in business retreats so the process will be smooth and trouble-free.  Sound amazing and beneficial?  Click here and we can discuss further.

Costa Rica Phil