After becoming a member of the Assist Scout crew in the summertime of 2024, I rapidly realized that the annual firm retreat was a much-anticipated occasion. We’re a totally distant firm, so we actually worth time collectively to share experiences and concepts, (largely) away from our computer systems. The entire crew appears ahead to touring to a unique metropolis yearly, presumably internationally from their house bases, and sharing that have collectively.
Although I do know everybody enjoys seeing colleagues nose to nose, as a brand new rent, I used to be particularly excited to fulfill everybody in particular person. Constructing robust bonds could be difficult when left to Zoom and Slack, and, as an extrovert, I used to be itching to really get in the identical room with people.
In fact, for those who’re distant and preparing in your first in-person meetup and as a substitute really feel anxious, that’s completely regular! Pleasure and nervousness are sometimes totally different sides of the identical coin, and I feel realizing what you’re stepping into forward of time could be useful regardless of the place you land.
On this submit, I’m going to provide the rundown of what it was like for me to attend a Assist Scout retreat for the primary time in addition to provide just a few useful suggestions in an effort to really feel calm (or maybe extra hyped) going into your subsequent firm gathering.
All roads result in Rome
We realized that the corporate had chosen Rome for the 2025 retreat throughout a city corridor assembly the prior fall. Leah Knobler, VP of individuals, positively had dedication to the bit, saying the situation in full gladiator garb. And the crew was pumped!
I used to be thrilled by the selection, too. Rome is considered one of my favourite locations in Europe. I’ve walked town many instances and have been to its well-known websites just like the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Trevi Fountain, in addition to loved easy (however scrumptious) meals in Trastevere, window shopped whereas catching the scent of jasmine within the air, and brought in some solar with a glass of wine alongside the Tiber. I used to be excited that I’d be capable of share a few of these issues with my fellow Assist Scouts.
In fact, I knew it wouldn’t all be strolling the traditional cobblestones (or, because it turned out in my case, hobbling them — future me determined to roam Rome in fashionable boots vs. cozy sneakers), as there would even be work to do. Since this was my first time attending a retreat, I made a decision to ask round about what the standard schedule appears like. I reached out to Komal Panday, Assist Scout’s folks crew generalist and the particular person accountable for retreat planning, and he fortunately crammed me in.
Tip #1: Do some location analysis forward of time
If the occasion you’re attending is someplace you’ve by no means been, spend a bit of time researching the locale. Are there any cool vacationer sights or locations to seize a fast chew that curiosity you? There could also be downtime throughout a multi-day journey, and realizing the lay of the land could assist you and your crew take higher benefit of it.
Balancing work and play
Since my objective was to get to know everybody higher, I used to be anxious about whether or not there could be sufficient time to not solely huddle up on work points but in addition simply hang around. I used to be relieved to listen to from Komal that our retreats are designed to strike a wholesome stability between each.
“Annually, we get a bit of bit higher at crafting our retreat week agenda. We’ve got to think about issues just like the state of the enterprise main as much as retreat and what labored effectively (and what didn’t) the earlier yr,” stated Komal. “However it’s additionally simply as necessary to consider issues like jet lag, journey time, private {and professional} commitments throughout groups, and guaranteeing that we’re nonetheless in a position to present good assist to our clients as we’re connecting as an organization.”
Komal defined that by prioritizing occasions like keynote audio system and worker coaching classes initially of the week, the tempo is ready to naturally shift towards extra social occasions because the week goes on, giving everybody the prospect to recharge and join on a extra private stage.
The retreat agenda was revealed just a few weeks earlier than the journey and I used to be actually impressed with the best way the crew had thoughtfully peppered in alternatives for casual connections. That feeling was solely strengthened as soon as I used to be on the bottom in Rome. There have been pace “fikas” to assist us all get to know individuals who we could not have had the prospect to work with earlier than, time between classes for informal conversations, and iced cappuccinos* on the bar for these searching for a choose me up.
Whereas some folks took the prospect to schedule out their time, others determined to waft. Christian Stein joined Assist Scout’s engineering crew final fall, and after I requested him how he approached connecting with others on the retreat, he shared that he tried one thing a bit extra easygoing: “I intentionally approached the retreat with a relaxed mindset, aiming to benefit from the expertise to the fullest with none undue stress. This allowed me to let conversations and connections unfold organically.”
Our social content material producer, then again, obtained thrown into the deep finish. Abigail Bloom joined Assist Scout solely a few weeks earlier than all of us landed in Rome, and she or he wanted to make use of the chance to seize some footage for the corporate socials.
“The retreat for me was all about being in go-go mode for capturing content material, however actually, these moments are what I really like most about my job, “ stated Abigail. “It gave me a purpose to fulfill new folks — and if the corporate’s tradition wasn’t so welcoming, I most likely would’ve been too nervous. Everybody made it so enjoyable and straightforward to leap in!”
Though she claims in any other case, I do know it couldn’t have been simple balancing a brand new job, worldwide journey, and assembly 130 of your coworkers multi functional go, however Abigail dealt with it like a rockstar. Don’t consider me? Verify us out (and observe us) on TikTok and Instagram.
Tip #2: Make a plan
Discover out the occasion’s agenda earlier than you permit house, and prioritize your time based on your wants and objectives. When you have a bunch of individuals you understand you need to join with, put time on one another’s calendars forward of time. On the flip aspect, for those who’re somebody who’s extra on the introverted aspect of issues, block out time to recharge.
You don’t need to miss your likelihood to fulfill with folks, both as a result of lack of time or an absence of social battery, so do your greatest to set your self up for achievement.
*Fast shout out to Moniker, the corporate that helps plan our retreats. They understand how Individuals really feel about ice!
Strengthening relationships
With the retreat schedule in thoughts, I deliberate to focus my vitality on spending time with colleagues. Everybody at retreat hopes to get to know one another higher — particularly these of us who’re new to the corporate — however a current change in crew construction made this much more necessary for me.
I’m a product marketer and initially joined Assist Scout as a part of the advertising crew. Nevertheless, after I had been on the firm for just a few months, we realized that my position might make the biggest influence on the product crew, so I switched departments simply weeks earlier than the retreat. I noticed the occasion as a possibility to broaden my relationship with my new teammates in addition to a uncommon likelihood to fulfill folks I hadn’t but linked with — like lots of the engineers and designers.
One of many aforementioned engineers was Matt Wright, an engineering supervisor who began with the corporate across the similar time that I did. He had comparable objectives for the journey: “I attempted to take advantage of the retreat by casually introducing myself and socializing with as many individuals as I might. Everybody I talked to appeared completely happy to speak about Italy, Rome, the place they’re from, or often (dare I say it) one thing about work. The vibe was actually relaxed, and most everybody appeared fairly eager to find out about one another.”
In fact, even when issues are easygoing, it may possibly nonetheless be onerous to place your self on the market. Will Hoekenga, Assist Scout’s senior copywriter, defined: “I’m a pure introvert, so my solely objective was to maintain pushing even after I might really feel my social battery getting low. Keep an additional hour on the rooftop social gathering. Have yet one more dialog earlier than calling it an evening. Sit on the desk the place you don’t know anybody effectively. Whereas I did take just a few moments for myself right here and there, I’m glad that I took benefit of nearly all of the alternatives for interplay the retreat needed to provide.”
Whether or not it was discussing work over dinner, having fun with an impromptu aperitivo at a restaurant, or being a part of the joy on the Vatican on the day Pope Leo XIV was elected, my teammates and I made it a degree to kind lasting connections. As somebody who thrives on social interplay and in-person collaboration, these moments lifted each my appreciation for the fantastic crew I’m on and my confidence in being an integral member of that crew.
Tip #3: Broaden your horizons
Although it’s necessary to arrange time to speak along with your crew, don’t overlook that this is a chance to fulfill new folks, too. Whenever you work in-office, these kinds of interactions are inclined to occur naturally, however distant staff should be extra intentional.
Partnering up with somebody you don’t know too effectively throughout a bunch exercise or consuming breakfast with one other crew can create new bonds and alternatives for collaboration the place you would possibly’ve not regarded for them earlier than.
Pushing consolation zones
Regardless of being an extrovert, what made the retreat much more impactful have been the moments that pushed me out of my consolation zone. A type of moments was taking part in Pitch Get together, a convention the place Assist Scout crew members give you new concepts for options or applications and pitch them to your entire firm at retreat.
I used to be nervous concerning the concept of collaborating but in addition excited to share my concept for an “ambassador program,” which might not solely enhance buyer expertise but in addition assist our enterprise objectives. On one hand, being on stage and sharing an concept that I felt strongly about was empowering — it’s not daily that you just get the prospect to pitch an concept that might have an actual influence. Nevertheless, placing myself on the market, particularly in entrance of so many new faces, additionally felt a bit of dangerous.
Fortunately, there have been different retreat first-timers pitching as effectively. My colleague Ryan Brown is a product supervisor, and he jumped in headfirst by proposing an progressive and useful extension of our present AI options. Grant O’Dell from our design crew pitched an unimaginable inside branding software within the type of a candy and useful sidekick character that everybody within the room fell for instantly. Pitching our concepts was a problem, however pushing via that worry and receiving assist and suggestions made it a memorable expertise.
In fact, there have been additionally much less formal (and dare I say, extra enjoyable) methods new teammates stretched their limits. Scott Rocher joined Assist Scout in 2024 as VP of product. On the retreat, he embraced karaoke: “It could have been simpler to face within the again, have a drink and benefit from the music, however I made a decision to only say ‘sure’ to singing. I had assist from just a few others up there, and it was very enjoyable.”
Dillon McDermott, Assist Scout’s director of gross sales, additionally took half: “I’m not an enormous karaoke singer, however I’ve to confess…I had a good time performing an N*SYNC duo with my man Rylan!”
Although there have been a lot of moments out there for branching out on the retreat, doing so wasn’t a requirement. Matt admitted, “I’ve a reasonably deep effectively for socializing and was very a lot trying ahead to this expertise. However I additionally appreciated that there was no strain from anybody to be immersed in each minute of each occasion. There was area to recharge, which was necessary for me.”
These experiences — whether or not they have been pushing private boundaries or discovering area for self-care — contributed to the expansion of every particular person and the crew as a complete.
Tip #4: Do it scared
It’s very easy to be a wallflower at a majority of these occasions, particularly for those who don’t know the opposite attendees very effectively. Nevertheless, the prospect to make an influence on the enterprise in an occasion like Pitch Get together or to construct camaraderie throughout karaoke doesn’t come round daily.
Even when it’s scary, put your self on the market. You have been employed by your crew as a result of they noticed that you just had one thing to supply. Possibly they didn’t notice that was the power to carry out pitch excellent Beyoncé hits, however hey, retreats are a terrific place to exceed expectations!
The influence of retreats
Now that the retreat is over, I really feel extra linked to Assist Scout than ever. The time spent with colleagues — whether or not collaborating on concepts or simply having informal conversations — has left me feeling energized and much more assured in my new position.
I’m not the one first-timer leaving the retreat feeling constructive. Jesse Kim, a technical program supervisor, shared how the expertise has impacted his perspective: “Having the ability to have a good time and spend time collectively in particular person actually helped reinforce the human aspect of my working relationships with everybody.”
For Dillon, the retreat strengthened the bond inside the gross sales crew: “We spent loads of time collectively, and I positively really feel extra linked to the crew than I did earlier than the retreat.” And I consider him — did you occur to catch him and his teammate on CNN?
Christian additionally felt good concerning the firm’s time collectively: “I really feel a major momentum and renewed vitality impacting my work with the crew. The expertise offered me with a a lot clearer view of each the massive image and imaginative and prescient, in addition to the extra concrete, instant duties forward.”
The retreat served as a invaluable alternative to attach, mirror, and construct momentum for the yr forward, and as we get again to our day-to-day work, the relationships and insights from the journey will proceed to affect how we collaborate and strategy our objectives.
Lean in and have enjoyable
I’m trying ahead to carrying this vitality into the subsequent part of my work at Assist Scout, and I hope the ideas on this submit will assist you have got simply pretty much as good of an expertise at your first firm retreat as I did.
Are you a distant employee who has firm retreat tricks to share? In that case, ship them my manner, and we’ll share them in a future submit!
