Setting Up Do-It-Yourself Business Retreat

3 Reasons to Do a Business Retreat

I've been an entrepreneur for more than two decades now and I've benefitted many times from taking a business retreat. Sometimes I do it alone. But more often, I set up or join in a simple do-it-yourself business retreat with a few other entrepreneurs. 

Business retreats help you get out of the day-to-day routine and allow you a change of scenery. A few years ago research reported that 78% of participants in a business retreat felt a renewed focus for their business. Click To Tweet I've had that experience, too. Every business owner gets bogged down in the day-to-day, and as your business grows that sense of overwhelm gets worse. 

• Get a new perspective because you're slowing down enough to allow your brain and feelings to shift.
• Conversation during your time away with other entrepreneurs may spark business opportunities and collaborations you wouldn't otherwise think of.
• New ideas will come your way when you are in a more relaxed state than normal.

How to Keep Your Retreat Simple

Do-it-yourself business retreats mean avoiding large groups and formal agendas. (If you're looking to set up a retreat as a business, to gain income, I highly recommend you contact Elaine Wellman, a retreat planner with a wealth of experience.) But for do-it-yourselfers, here's the run-down.

1. Pick 3 sets of potential dates. Try to get 2 full days of time with each other, which usually means 3 nights in your hotel. Float these 3 sets of dates to your group.
2. Group size can be 2 to 5 – keep it small. Ask business owners who are willing to listen and to talk about their own businesses.
3. Pick one location that's easy to reach by car or flying. If you're coming from all areas of the country, consider a city in the middle. Try to minimize travel time for everyone as best you can.
4. Contact us at Travel Changes Life to get help with likely hotels or retreat centers. We can do the research and book the room for each participant.
5. Since your group is small you can reserve one larger suite to meet in and avoid paying for a meeting room. If you pick a location with good weather, you can also meet outdoors around a pool or on the beach. 
6. Set your meeting times and free times up front. Allow time for being alone and for casual conversation as well as for more structured time.
7. Don't spend your time arranging everyone's travel. Let us deal with each participant to book her hotel room and ground transportation if that's needed. For domestic flights within the United States, have each person book their own flights. If you're going to an international destination, we can help with booking flight, hotel and ground transportation in a package, which will be cost efficient. 

Evaluate after it's over

• Did this mix of participants work?
• Would you like to meet again? If so, set your next business retreat dates while you are still together. It's simpler and faster, and gets everyone's commitment up front.
• Don't be afraid to try a different mix of people, and accept that not everyone will be able to make it all the time.
• Create space in your calendar when you return to implement ideas and collaborations.

5 Do-it-yourself business retreat themes Click To Tweet

• Looking ahead to the next year
• Building visibility and income streams
• Accountability for new endeavors – writing a book, getting on the speaker circuit, for example
• Free-floating brainstorm of “big ideas”
• Sharing inside industry information (if you are all in the same or related business worlds)

Related: What Can a Personal Retreat Do For Your Business? 

I strongly recommend getting away for a short business retreat at least once a year. Keep it simple, short, and informal. And be sure to follow up on the insights and ideas you've gained from being away. 

We can set up travel to an adults-only resort such as the Hyatt Zilara resorts (Jamaica or Mexico). These are all-inclusive and leave you free to do nothing but brainstorm and relax. It's also cost-effective and easy to get to Florida, Las Vegas, and other domestic destinations using one of our travel packages. Contact us for details.