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The multi-faceted business benefits of hosting corporate retreats
The seismic shifts in workplace patterns, behaviours and expectations that have emerged in recent years have profoundly impacted on how we form and maintain professional connections.
This blog will explore some of the key advantages to planning a company retreat, as well as the crucial things to consider when researching and booking corporate retreat venues. We’ll also cover how you can curate an unforgettable experience for your multi-day company retreat at Ashridge House.
A recent poll conducted by Forbes revealed that 63% of 1,100 people surveyed, work remotely all or some of the time. Compared to 2019, when just 4.7% of UK employees worked from home, this post-pandemic rise has forever transformed working life as we know it. While this comes with its benefits as well as disadvantages, there’s no denying it’s had a fragmentation effect on company culture and interpersonal workplace relationships.
In this landscape, the value of hosting corporate retreats has significantly increased, delivering ROI on multiple organisational levels. They’ve become a crucial part of any forward-thinking business’s events calendar and a strategic approach to boosting employee engagement, development, productivity, wellbeing and retention.
Why build in-person corporate retreats into your business incentive and travel plans?
Corporate travel is on the up. New research led by Opinium, on behalf of World Travel Protection, found 39% of 500 UK business travellers are expecting to travel more this year (Source: London loves Business). For many people, face-to-face interaction and sharing meaningful experiences have become a higher priority than ever before.
Facilitating opportunities for employees and associates to visit enticing venues and destinations, and immerse themselves in learning, team bonding, networking and mindfulness, is an invaluable way to foster important relationships.
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Building the business case – how a company retreat benefits the workforce at every level
• Entry Level: by increasing access to senior leadership, any perceived barriers of hierarchy are removed, offering vital opportunities for ambitious employees to network, make their mark and have their voice heard. It also deepens their understanding of company culture, values and strategic goals – driving increased engagement and dedication to a shared vision.
• Support Staff: creates an inclusive environment and level playing field for everyone to feel a sense of belonging. This reinforces the value of every individual and the importance of the contribution they make.
• Middle Management: increased scope for leadership skill development, through the exploration of team dynamics and encouraging collaborative problem solving, to nurture inter-departmental relationships. Respite from the daily demands of the operational environment also helps to promote creativity, strategic thinking and bigger picture clarity.
• Senior Leadership: fosters a supportive and highly valued company culture, based on collective vision, sense of purpose and trust. Facilitates high-level relationship development and critical strategic alignment throughout the entire workforce.
These factors all help to improve employee productivity, buy-in, loyalty, development, engagement and retention – benefiting the business by delivering ROI on a multitude of levels.
Where vision and values align – considerations for choosing the perfect corporate retreat venue
When planning your corporate retreat, it’s important to prioritise both the business objectives and the personal impact the experience will have on your people. Sourcing the right corporate retreat venue has the potential to provide enrichment, boost physical and mental wellbeing, and create an unrivalled opportunity for learning, team bonding and culture development.
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The following factors will help inform your venue selection:
• Environment: away from the day-to-day workplace setting and structure, new levels of creativity, innovative ideas and problem-solving can be unlocked. Finding the right surrounding environment will only heighten this. A venue’s location, aesthetic, proximity to nature, history and heritage, and accessibility should all be carefully researched.
• Versatility: a range of different spaces that can be flexibly configured is required to accommodate a company retreat programme that is as immersive, varied and inclusive as possible. From group workshops, intimidate breakouts and team building to gala dinners, rejuvenation sessions and physical activities – choose a corporate retreat venue that offers a wealth of options to suit your itinerary. To meet a wide range of specific individual needs for your employees, dedicated sensory-friendly spaces, digital detox zones, prayer rooms, and other private areas should also be factored in.
• Amenities: explore the available facilities to support physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. These could include fitness and leisure, green spaces, reading rooms, interactive activities, and pre-arranged local events and experiences to name a few.
• Reflection of core company values: consider how a venue aligns with the ethical, sustainable, equality, diversion and inclusion principles upheld by your business. Prioritising venues with demonstrable commitments to these values will help you achieve your corporate social responsibility goals.
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Host your multi-day company retreat at Ashridge House
Located in the stunning Hertfordshire countryside, just 30 miles from Central London, Ashridge House is a one-stop corporate retreat venue. Our Grade I, neo-gothic country house is steeped in fascinating history and nestled in 190 acres of stunning landscaped gardens, providing an inspiring and tranquil destination for any company retreat.
Our extensive facilities include 30 fully equipped multi-purpose event spaces suitable for up to 250 guests theatre-style, 50 smaller breakout rooms and 190 recently renovated bedrooms. With in-house event catering, excellent AV and technical facilities, abundant green spaces, team building activities and a dedicated wellness centre, every element is cared for onsite.
With the support of our expert team, you can tailor a multi-day corporate retreat programme at Ashridge House that meets every business objective, while delivering an unforgettable employee experience.
Contact our award-winning team today to discuss your corporate retreat event and bespoke requirements, by calling: +44 (0) 1442 843491, emailing: concierge@ashridge.hult.edu or completing an online enquiry.