A lot of companies these days are all about offsites - getting their employees, partners, clients, and influencers out of the office to engage in an experience TOGETHER, away from computers and meeting rooms, etc. This is for good reason - offsites can have amazing benefits (especially if you work with Whisck to plan ‘em #shamelessplug #sorrynotsorry), BUT they do require a lot of effort, energy and moolah too, so it’s completely fair if you and your company are on the fence, asking are offsites worth it REALLY?

After not only planning numerous offsites, but also participating in a few ourselves, we’ve witnessed all the good they can do, so without further ado, here the top benefits you can expect if you decide to move forward.

They allow you to explore goals away from the day to day.
Let’s say your team has been working really hard and you sense a fun get-together is needed to reward/reinvigorate everyone, or your company needs to start planning for the following year. You know if you try to achieve these goals in the office, folks will get distracted by their daily to-dos, so you need to get them out of their usual environment. By investing in an offsite, your team/staff will invest in the objective at hand. Pro tip: Shoot everyone a template for an OOO automatic response email and tell them the time range to set it up for. This will show that you mean business about getting their full attention and protect them from last minute urgent tasks.
They strengthen your company culture, leading to increased loyalty and advocacy internally and externally.
This is simple: people invest in companies that invest in them. There’s solid research to prove it. An offsite is an investment that employees, partners and influencers alike look forward to and appreciate. In return, people want to stick around and do right by your business. Plus they are a perfect opportunity to showcase who you are as a company, remind people of what the company means to them and why they are proud to be a part of it. Pro tip: Include social handles and a couple hashtags in your communications to attendees and encourage them to socialize. Let them help you show off!
They inspire thoughtful conversations and new ways of thinking.
You know how travel tends to broaden our horizons and enhance creativity? Offsites have a similar effect. When people are in a different environment and encouraged to check their usual responsibilities at the door, fresh conversations and ideas are inspired. Pro tip: Kick off your offsite with a few thoughtful words from your CEO, founder or team lead, where he or she emphasizes the importance of everyone being present and not being afraid to speak up.
They create stronger knit teams, resulting in better communication, greater productivity and improved personal and professional well-being.
When people are taken out of the office (or whatever the professional environment may be), they are no longer confined by office rules or politics. It levels the playing field. They become more comfortable with each other and create memories together. This translates into more happiness back in the office and significantly higher levels of effectiveness and efficiency with work. Just ask Harvard. Pro tip: Icebreakers are clutch.

While all these benefits make offsites worth it for most companies, planning them requires a great deal of time and energy that often falls on the shoulders of someone who has other full-time responsibilities. That person endures a lot of stress and may not foresee expenses or details until it’s too late because…it’s not the job he or she should be doing!

Luckily Whisck is here for you! If you’re interested in all the benefits of an offsite, minus a hassle, shoot me a message at court@whisck.com.