Off-sites were a very popular concept – those once in a year conference where you deep dive into strategies, the next year’s plan, discuss professional development or just hang out with colleagues getting to know them better. However, today team members do not wish to come to the office leaving alone off-sites.
If one wishes to bring team members together, it is necessary to plan a day that no one would want to miss. It is critical to plan the day in the office making it worthwhile for the team member to attend. It is necessary to design impactful days to bring hybrid teams together.
On-site, in-person offices are one of the important ways of engaging with your employees. Here we discuss three elements of a successful on-site event.
Design with your values in mind.
The goals of what you, as a leader, do should be to uphold the value of the business. It is important to implement, demonstrate the values of the organisation when you hold on-site meetings.
Organise the on-site days around the values of the company. Break down the day into the important categories that represent the values of the company.
- It could relate to health consisting of flexible office timings, commute time and taking care of employee wellness.
- Wealth, including meetings, team lunches and events.
- Growth, the forum to discuss professional as well as personal development.
When you are faced with different choices then let the values of the organisation guide your decision. When the values have an important place in every employee’s work, keep highlighting them as you make decisions.
Focus on professional development.
Everyone wants to grow up the ladder in any organisation. Remote work, which deprives direct contact with team managers, may instil a fear of losing out on opportunities. It is observed that employees who get professional development training are more engaged in their work and tend to stay with the company longer.
As one designs the on-site program, identify the professional development opportunities that the company offers and those who have taken advantage of them. It is quite possible that employees are overwhelmed with their work and do not wish to burden themselves with professional development courses at this point.
One way to break this cycle is to consider having a common time in a week or month where everyone engages in personal and professional development. It can be shared learning or a class of your choice. What is important is that everyone sets aside their current work and devote time together towards professional development.
Create shared rituals.
Use simple rituals to bring people together. Rituals are important as they provide psychological safety, a shared sense of purpose and lead to performance improvement.
Align in-person days with the values of the organisation, ensure that employees make time for personal and professional development, and create rituals to create a more focused, engaged team that can deliver results.
In the Hybrid Era, On-Sites Are the New Off-Sites
by Erica Keswin HBE 2022/01
R2G 