Key Factors for Successful Company Retreats

Last week I shared how AI helped analyze our retreat feedback survey data in minutes. Today, I want to highlight the three elements that our team rated most impactful from our recent company retreat in Ireland... - [New addition] "Connection Court": We created a dedicated space in the castle with games, snacks, and comfy seating that was open throughout the day and late into the night. This gave people a relaxed place to connect in case of bad weather and removed the pressure to drink or socialize in high-energy environments. This was great for introverts and those who don't enjoy the bar scene and provided more inclusive evening activities that worked for everyone. - Doist Build (our company hackathon) hit different this year: We surveyed the team for "hack-worthy" topics ahead of the retreat, pre-selected the top 10 we felt could make an impact on the company, and revealed them the day before so people could start brainstorming. Morning of, it was first-come-first-serve with limited seats per topic, which created some incredible energy to start the day. Best part? The winning team's project was implemented right there at the retreat and immediately improved our onboarding metrics 🚀 - "Choose your own adventure" itinerary structure: Instead of forcing everyone into the same activities, we offered parallel options during free time. We balanced physical activities (hiking, sports), cultural experiences (castle tours, local music), and team building events (escape rooms, group games). This approach let people naturally form smaller groups around common interests, creating deeper connections through shared experiences. After organizing multiple retreats over the years, one principle stands out: create a flexible structure and trust your team to find meaningful ways to connect. When people have the freedom to choose activities that align with their interests and energy levels, authentic relationships naturally develop. Hope this is helpful and I'd love to hear what's working for other teams as well 👇

🎯 Thinking About Hosting a Retreat? Here’s What Smart Planners Do Differently (with real-world examples + proven ROI). In Part One, we explored what actually matters when planning a corporate or influencer retreat. Now let’s go deeper. Because when done right, a retreat isn’t just “a cool experience.” 👉 It’s a high-ROI move for team performance, brand growth, and strategic alignment. ✅ 1. Start with Purpose, Not a Location Don’t ask: “Where should we go?” Ask: “What do I want attendees to feel, learn, or change?” Harvard Business Review found that retreats with a clear learning or connection goal deliver a 26% boost in team alignment. 🧠 2. Design for Experience, Not Just Aesthetics People don’t remember the venue—they remember the transformation. ✔️ Small group discussions ✔️ Wellness sessions ✔️ Unstructured time for creativity ✔️ Hands-on learning and team building Memory retention increases by 65% when tied to emotional or experiential learning. (Forbes Council) 🔍 3. Real-World Examples of Smart Retreats 🎧 Spotify’s “Band Retreats” Global teams meet for strategy, wellness, and connection Focus: psychological safety, creativity, and human-first design Result: +21% employee satisfaction, +18% collaboration (Spotify Internal Data) “When people gather intentionally, it amplifies trust, clarity, and creativity.” —Katarina Berg, CHRO, Spotify 🛠️ Shopify’s Remote Retreats Built for remote team alignment Prioritize workshops + personal connection Improved internal communication + post-retreat performance metrics 🌿 Create & Cultivate Retreats (Influencer & Entrepreneur-Focused) Wellness + strategy + brand activations Highly curated, Instagrammable—but never superficial Result: High attendee engagement + strong brand partnerships 💸 4. Budget Smarter, Not Bigger You don’t need a 5-star resort to impress. Some of the most impactful retreats happen at: Boutique villas during shoulder season Unique Airbnb estates with indoor/outdoor flow Local offsites with intentional programming Brands save up to 50% on retreat costs by choosing location-flexible formats—without sacrificing comfort or vibe. 📸 5. Make It Shareable (Without Forcing It) Design scenic, relaxed moments that naturally invite content creation. People share what makes them feel seen, inspired, or connected—not what feels overly curated. Brands that prioritize organic experiences get 50% more social shares (Sprout Social) 💬 Ready to Plan One That Works? 📩 DM me and let’s make your retreat both meaningful and smart.

Who says you can't mix deep work with deep connections? Not us! After a 3-day retreat with my team at Irrational Labs I can truly say that we've redefined what it means to "gather”. ✨ In a remote/hybrid world, doing retreats well can take a team from “great” to “amazing”. We got good at these by doing, learning, and iterating. And most importantly, by applying behavioral science principles (hey, it’s what we do 😉). Many companies struggle with how to weave connection and meaning into getting work done at an off-site. Our approach blends strategic meetings, group project work, and whimsy, proving that the best results come from a mix of focus and fun. Curious how we do it? Here are practical insights we use to help other teams run successful off-sites that energize and unite (yes, we can help yours, too): 🎯 Combine work + social activities. This mix ensures productivity while also allowing everyone to enjoy their time and connect as humans. 🏃🏽♀️ Treat the work part like mini sprints. Go deep on one thing as a team for that in-person magic and leave with concrete results (sales collateral, blog posts, GTM strategy, etc.) 👥 Be inclusive: Cater to all personalities. Plan large group activities to energize extraverts and smaller dinners for those who prefer intimate settings. Include unplanned time so introverts can recharge. This respects individual preferences and gets all team members to participate. 🕒 Do 2-3 days. This is enough time to do deep dives into projects without draining the team's energy. 📅 2-3x a year is the perfect frequency—enough to align and motivate teams without overwhelming everyone's schedule. 💥 Go out with a bang! Use the peak-end rule and end on a high note. A positive final impression can sustain morale and juice up productivity long after folks are back in the grind. Let's redefine off-sites to be a superpower for teams in these evolving work environments. Thoughts? Be vocal 🗣👇🏼 Need help designing your next team retreat? Send me a DM or reach out 📧 #offsite #teams #BehavioralScience