Objectives: Retreats play a major role in the  rejuvenation of high performance teams and YPO forums. Help from a professional facilitator can make a major difference and yield long lasting results.

Executive Summary: As a professional facilitator, Eva helps corporate teams and YPO forums plan their retreats. Planning involves defining the purpose and goals for the retreat and the selection of committee members, budget, geographical location, venue and correct balance between "work" and recreational team building activities. Eva can either be involved in the planning and facilitating of the entire retreat or she can assist just in the planning phase.

It All Begins with Attitude:

When forum/team members come to a retreat with an open mind, a positive attitude, a willingness to engage and a sense of humor, they'll have a successful retreat. When each forum member has a specific role to play in the retreat, they each have a stake in creating a productive experience.

From There We Add Some Balance:

Striking the right balance between "fun", recreational and social activity and "work" is very important. Work in retreats includes exercises to create a united vision, foster team connectedness and creativity, instill trust and respect, commitment and personal insights among members. Fun activities bring humor and laughter that promote learning and teamwork and community building. Retreats that are packed with "too much," feel over-structured, rushed and can be very exhausting. This is at odds with the original purpose of the retreat. On the other hand, working after dinner into the “magic” of the night with a blazing campfire, can be a winning combination.
And a Hefty Dose of Creativity:

The most successful retreats are those where the activities and exercises are most memorable (our minds tend to forget the ordinary). Ways to expand learning and creativity include making use of creative, "right brain", artistic expression. Incorporating drawing, acting, articles of clothing, and various "personality objects" to help participants describe their style can be stimulating ways to tap into the unconscious and our creative sources. Effective ways to foster exploration and laughter include engaging in "out of comfort zone" activities such as cooking or gardening for men and hunting for women. Collaborating together in creative, unique ways ultimately becomes ingrained into the DNA of the team/Forum that bonds the group together.

Outcomes:

• Shared vision
• Energized Forum/team members
• Deepened connectedness and creativity
• Strengthened commitment

Time Frame: Retreats can range from 1 day to several days in length.