As a component of assessment, or as a stand-alone event, annual retreats are vital to the success of a professional service firm. Annual retreats allow an organization to know itself more fully, and contribute to both familiarity and empowerment among the staff. Improved organizational “self-knowledge” results in decisions that are more likely to lead to accomplishing desired goals. Improved familiarity results in greater job satisfaction and trust among co-workers.

These positive results are especially likely when retreats that include all staff and management personnel. However, retreats can also be tailored to a particular sub-group, such as the partners or the upper management team.

We have all heard of organizational change initiatives that are met with apathy or active resistance. This does not happen when change is initiated by conversations that take place at a democratic and transparent firm wide retreat. This is because everyone understands the change, its foundation and intent.

Methodology

Open Space has been used for years by organizations, large and small, to access the creativity and enthusiasm of its staff around a given topic. It is a method that allows participation, shared leadership, and a sense of empowered involvement with the subject at hand.

With the theme determined in advance, staff members will create an agenda for the retreat during the first hour of the get-together. Although the theme may be as broad as, “How can we create the best possible firm?”, all aspects of the theme that are important and exciting to those present will be discussed. Any participant will be empowered to suggest a topic for the agenda and to convene a small group meeting on that topic. Through simple organizational tools, a schedule of these meetings, including location and times throughout the afternoon, will be generated and displayed.

Small group conversations on the agenda topics will go on in designated places and during distinct time slots. Participants will be free to move from conversation to conversation, insuring that they will always be involved in dialogue that is meaningful and interesting to them, and providing cross-pollination of ideas.

At the concluding session, all participants will be invited to make remarks about the experience of the afternoon. Because everyone has had the opportunity to spend the time in dialogue about ideas that are important to them, themes will emerge from these remarks that are insightful, creative and energetic.

Likely Retreat Outcomes

Typically, results from a firm retreat fall into two categories. The first kind of results are action items that can easily be done right away. These actions arise from the many good and practical ideas that are always generated when people converse about topics they really care about. An example of this might be a simple change to a work process that makes it more efficient.

The second kind of results are ideas, insights, and creative imaginings that require more thought or research before action can be taken. These outcomes sometime generate staff workgroup formation or suggest a basic reconsideration of procedures or structure. Often the surfacing of issues that involve the deeply embedded culture of an organization will cause widespread surprise among participants.

Consultants Scope of Work

Typical scope of work for an all-firm retreat is as follows:

• Meeting with partners and/or senior staff to determine theme and objectives for the retreat
• Preparatory meeting with entire firm
• Retreat day: 1:00PM to 6:00PM
  • 1:00 - 2:00 Introduction and agenda formation
  • 2:00 - 3:00 Concurrent small group session 1
  • 3:00 - 4:00 Concurrent small group session 2
  • 4:00 - 5:00 Concurrent small group session 3
  • 5:00 - 6:00 Closing Session
  • It is recommended that the firm provide an informal dinner to follow
• Follow - up meeting with entire firm
• Follow - up meeting with partners and/or senior staff for assessment and next steps, including a written report and a proceedings booklet

RM Klein Consulting offers facilitation of firm retreats to firms of all sizes, nationwide.