Your Company Offsite is Coming Up!

Time to sharpen those dry-erase markers

I know… some executives cringe at the thought of being bored into submission, feeling like they’re running an Olympic marathon, or the other seven deadly sins of running an offsite, which are well outlined here. (This is my favorite: #3: Offsite Agendas that are Overstuffed with Activities).

But contrary to the feeling of corny, corporate dread, offsites can be effective—a rare chance to step back, align your team, and solve big challenges. But without a clear purpose or structure, even the best offsite can feel like a waste of time and resources.

So how should you structure an effective offsite?

• Pick the Right Timing: A quarterly offsite of 1–3 days works well for most organizations. Some teams may adjust the frequency or length based on company culture or specific business conditions, but this provides a reliable starting point.

• CEO Leads the Mee…