Company retreats have a number of benefits that can help the overall productivity of the business. Having fun as a team can build a family-like atmosphere which is better for overall communication and can help workers feel more comfortable with one another. Kelsey Meyer, writing for Entrepreneur Magazine, suggested that company retreats can even help managers discover hidden talents in their employees. By using out-of-the-box team building activities, managers can get a better look at intrinsic leadership skills, for example.
If your company is ready to take a trip to the Caribbean to build a better team, consider these affordable destinations:
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a great choice for company retreats because you won't have to worry about making sure everyone has their passport. As long as everyone on the trip has a valid photo I.D. you shouldn't have any problems getting to this fantastic Caribbean island. In San Juan, there are many excellent traditional resorts, but if you're looking for something unique, consider taking your team to Old San Juan where you can explore beautiful streets lined with 16th century architecture. Spend your days exploring shops and historic districts and enjoy your dinners near breezy, tranquil coastline.
U.S. Virgin Islands
Another destination that doesn't require a passport, the U.S. Virgin Islands offers more traditional resort opportunities. Your team can spend their days soaking up the rays on a white sand beach and you can use the meeting rooms at the resort to hold conferences and work on team building activities. When you're all ready to do some exploring, you can check out some of the great places the island has to offer, such as Blackbeard's Castle, a tower built in the 1670s.
Team building is better when it's done on a tropical island.Montego Bay, Jamaica
Ready to sip on a coconut and relax in style? Then consider taking your team to beautiful Montego Bay. Here you can enjoy some Jamaica's best cuisine such as jerk chicken, saltfish and curried mutton. You can even rent a boat for a day trip into the bay for a fishing adventure. The office will be the last thing on everyone's minds by the time you get back to the hotel at the end of the day.
The Bahamas
What better way to relax and forget about all those deadlines than by taking a dip in the ocean among the dolphins? In the Bahamas, visitors can swim with bottlenose dolphins and take a dive among the colorful sea life below the blue waves, reported U.S. News & World Report. And when you're not taking a dip in the sea, the Bahamas has a lot more to offer, including boat tours, art galleries and historic buildings.
When everyone gets back to the office, the feeling of camaraderie and friendship will be higher than ever. Not only will your team be fully relaxed and rested, they'll be ready to get back to work and be more productive than ever. The only remaining concern is, how will you ever top this year's retreat?
