Off-site events can be dreaded. When I am developing an off-site I try to assess what I am trying to accomplish with the group. Too many times people stick to the dreaded "agenda" and don't let the event evolve. I try to be flexible and go with what is working in the moment.

Our most productive offsites are those conducted when a strategy or long term goal has already been defined. Representatitives from each concerned dept are present at the offsite.

Each dept:
- Does a self-review
- Presents how it plans to help meet the objective
- Lists down resources/support it needs to implement the plan.

The other dept representatives (the "audience") provide suggestions and critique. Any facilitation required is done by the Division head, the HR Manager and the CEO.

This in itself is also a great team-building exercise - while getting some real-work done. And the relaxed environment of an offsite works well for this kind of meeting. While a there is a pre-set schedule, the group implicitly agrees to ignore it when required.
Time-limits are liberally ignored as long as there is fruitful discussion and debate. Sessions typically start late morning (10/11 AM) and are "scheduled" to end at 6. Last time, the sessions continued upto midnight. But we reached conclusion and everyone left feeling satisfied and energised.

At the end of it, each dept and each key person knows what they need to do, what others are expecting of them and how to go about doing it.

Typically, we avoid using "off-sites" for things like team-building, culture building, values, socializing etc. For those, we have very specific outings - the annual Picnic/Trek, an annual Founder's Day party and focused training/development programs conducted by experts.

Good questions and thanks for linking to that thought-provoking article. I've blogged some thoughts and pushbacks.

As a facilitator, there are a few things that driove me nuts about off sites.

Often a client will contact me AFTER they have chosen the agenda and booked the site. They usually call with a request to "keep the group on track." But with poorly thought out process (often involving the "parade of kings," powerpoints and other process monstrosities, there's really not much a facilitator can do. Those of us who are in this as our job have a deeper appreciation of process than many of the folks who are busy marketing, selling, managing or otherwise running their companies. My advice is to make sure that the person you choose for the job is involved early in your off-site planning process.

The other thing that drives me nuts is companies who expect too much from their off-sites. Organizations that are having deep problems are not going to turn around in two days ata resort. Expectations for the retreat should match the effort being put into the meeting. That doesn't mean you need actual tangible results, but it does mean that your people show up committed to getting somewhere with collective responsibility. As important as the facilitator is, if the preparation within the organization has not stimulated people to attend with passion and responsibility, no amount of process planning is going to turn around a bad situation.

Heath, if you are serarching for real answers you might look to your own language, as well as some of the great contributions others have posted as comments. Why "dreaded" teambuilding activities? What makes them dreaded? When we know there is value in creating a team, what activitieis might support that desirable end result, but not be considered dreadful? And do spend time on "designing" offsite events. Look to all the great writing in FC about design for transferable inspiration and concepts. A well-designed offsite truly is a work of art, but just as with paintings and the like, art appreciation is in the eyes of the individual.

Sounds great just as long as you all didn't feel the pressure to make change for change's sake! The old, "If it ain't broke don't fix it," is time honored because it's true. Unfortunately, too many companies feel they must constantly evolve and morph into something "different" insuring they never will find a base.

Any suggestions for a small (16 people) company two-day offsite? We're looking for a great place in the northeast (2-3 hours away from New York City)?

Heath - you mentioned an 1830's home in the Delaware Valley...could you give me more info on this place?

Thanks.