What Are the Benefits of a Corporate Away Day?

Team away days offer an invaluable opportunity for employees to connect, build stronger relationships, and work on new skills outside of the office. Stepping away from the daily grind and diving head first into a different setting to take part in a range of activities allows employees to adapt to new situations and get to know their colleagues on a different level. In this blog, we’ll discuss the range of benefits your team can get from an away day.

What’s a Corporate Away Day?

Simply put, corporate away days are days that your team are out of the office to take part in different activities to support their role.  These events typically take place outside, or in venues like conference halls or outdoor activity centres. Away days can range from half-day events to multiple-day retreats.

What’s the Purpose of a Corporate Away Day?

The main purpose of an away day for your business is to provide employees with an opportunity to step away from their routine work environment to build on skills, develop new ones, and just have a day to have fun and destress. Following away days, many businesses notice an improved morale among team members which, in turn, improves productivity.

Types of Corporate Away Days

There are many different types of corporate away days, and the one you choose depends on the outcome you’re hoping for. For example, if you’re planning an away day to help build team communication, you wouldn’t sit everyone in a conference hall. You’d put your team in a situation where they need to work together to solve problems. Here are a few different types of awaydays for different purposes.

• Team building activities. Corporate away days that have the purpose of improving your employees’ team-building skills are some of the most popular types of away days. They include activities like hiking, kayaking, escape rooms, treasure hunts, or other activities that require collective problem-solving.
• Workshops. Workshops and training sessions are great for focusing on specific skills like leadership, communication, time management, or professional development.
• Social events. Corporate away days don’t just have to be for building skills, they can be ways to just relax and get to know your colleagues on a more personal level which can improve overall communication and morale back at the office. activities like picnics, sports tournaments, or a meal with your team are great social activities.
• Volunteer days. Team away days focused on community service, environmental conservation, or charitable causes are perfect for showing your employees the bigger picture and helping foster team collaboration.
• Relaxation and wellness days. When your team has been through particularly stressful periods, a great way to alleviate some of that stress is through wellness days. This could look like yoga, meditation, spa days, or simply planning an informal gathering designed to relax and recharge.

Benefits

Planning away days for your team has many benefits, not just for the business but for your employees too. It’s a way for them to take their mind off work to do something fun, engaging, and skill-building. Here are just a few of the benefits of an away day.

Team Building

Corporate days have a significant impact on team bonds and enhance communication by providing team members with opportunities to interact outside of the usual work environment. This interaction helps break down department divides and leads to better collaboration.

Employee Engagement and Morale

Away days offer your team a refreshing break from their daily routine which can rejuvenate and motivate employees. This leads to increased job satisfaction and productivity. An away day can do wonders for your team when they get back in the office, you’re sure to see a shift in engagement and overall morale.

Skill Development

Team days away can spark creativity and innovation, as a change of scenery often inspires fresh ideas and approaches. Activities designed to develop certain skills like creative thinking, leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving contribute to personal growth and enhance the workforce.

Company Culture

If you’re looking to improve your company culture, a corporate away day is the perfect opportunity to create a sense of unity and shared purpose. By taking part in activities that reflect the company’s values, employees develop a stronger connection to the company’s mission and goals which promotes better work.

Networking Opportunities

Corporate away days provide great networking opportunities. Employees can build relationships within the company as well as external partners and clients if the opportunity presents itself. These interactions can help you gain allies and create opportunities for future growth.

Fun and Relaxation

Away days can be just what your team needs to relax and have fun after stressful periods or projects in the office. Keeping your staff’s stress levels low and their moods high is crucial for their mental health. Focusing on just having fun leads to a more resilient and motivated workforce.

In conclusion, corporate away days offer many benefits that enhance team dynamics and offer an opportunity to build on skills and just have fun. If you’re looking for a fun and productive away day for your team, we can help. With different locations around the UK, we can provide an outdoor activity centre wherever you are.

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