Summertime is here! Our team went to Montauk this past weekend for our second annual retreat. Although the weather was gloomy for part of our trip, we still managed to have an absolute blast! We attended the 2022 Blessing of the Fleet, where we watched the boats pass by and wished them a great season. We also spent some time walking around and looking inside the local shops. One of our favorite parts was watching the sunset and enjoying some live music at Salivar’s Clam & Chowder House. It was the perfect way to end the day! The next day, the sun finally came out, and we spent some time relaxing on the beach. We also enjoyed a delicious family-style dinner at Harvest on Fort Pond. We even had a beautiful view from our table! To conclude our trip, we ate breakfast at Anthony’s Pancake House, where we reflected and listed some key takeaways from our retreat. It was a major success!
There are many benefits of a work retreat. Of course, everybody needs a vacation every once in a while, but a work retreat is a great team-building experience. It gives everybody a chance to get away from their workplace responsibilities and learn about each other in a more personal way. In the office, it can be hard to express your true personality or talk about your interests, especially during a hectic work week. A retreat allows you to be yourself, which ultimately brings your team together. For example, our team definitely got to know each other better as we sat around the hotel fire pit and talked about our hobbies and backgrounds.
Additionally, a work retreat gives your team a chance to reflect on the work you’ve been doing and think of ways we can all improve. While our team enjoyed some bagels and fruit for breakfast one morning, our amazing leader, Kim, conducted a team-building exercise. We went around the table and listed our favorite parts about KGI, as well as ways we can improve both individually and as a team. It was very insightful and allowed us to think outside the box.
To end our beach adventure, we attended the American Cancer Society’s 3rd Annual Red, White and Blue Summer Bash at The Crescent Beach Club in Bayville, where Kim was honored as this year’s Corporate Honoree! The venue was stunning, and we had so much fun. The best part about this event is that all of the proceeds are going towards the American Cancer Society’s mission of eliminating cancer as a significant health problem. It was truly an unforgettable evening!
The bottom line: Work retreats are highly beneficial! To our fellow small businesses, we recommend getting out of the office to strengthen your team. Even a short getaway can really make a difference. Relax! Restart! Retreat!