RailsConf 2023 - Offsite planning for Everyone by Allison McMillan

Plan a successful offsite for your remote team by discovering the key elements of effective planning, logistics, facilitation, and evaluation.

Key takeaways
  • Offsites can be challenging, especially when planning for remote teams.
  • Goals are crucial, and determining what you want to achieve is essential for a successful offsite.
  • Engaging and interesting sessions are key, but logistics are often overlooked and can greatly impact the experience.
  • Planning too much can lead to exhaustion and dissatisfaction.
  • A thoughtful approach to logistics, including using a “special sauce” to make the experience enjoyable, is crucial.
  • Facilitation is critical in virtual offsides, as it’s harder to get everyone’s attention and keep them engaged.
  • Timing is everything, and ensuring attendees know what to expect is vital.
  • A balance between structured sessions and free time is necessary for a successful offsite.
  • Preparing attendees with resources and information beforehand can help them prepare and participate more effectively.
  • Feedback and discussion after the offsite are critical for evaluating its success and setting the stage for future events.
  • Offsites can be used to build connection and community among team members, especially in remote teams.
  • A variety of experiences and activities can be used to keep attendees engaged, such as team-building exercises, workshops, and interactive experiences.
  • Authenticity and flexibility are essential when planning an offsite, as attendees need to feel comfortable and open to participating.
  • Offsites can be used to address specific business goals, such as aligning teams around a shared vision or tackling complex problems.
  • Chemistry and rapport among team members are essential for a successful offsite.
  • Conferences and events with a conference-style format can be an effective way to bring people together and facilitate growth and learning.
  • Prioritizing content and activities can help ensure an offsite stays on track and focused.
  • Facilitating an offsite can be a challenging task, but using a variety of tools and approaches can help keep attendees engaged and motivated.
  • Following up after the offsite can help ensure that action items and commitments are addressed and that momentum is maintained.
  • Fostering a sense of community and connection among team members is essential for building trust and improving communication.