Team building: Rewards of a company golf retreat

No matter what industry, no matter what business, today’s owners, chief executives, general managers and all business leaders are driven to continuously answer one question: “How do I lead this business to become more efficient, productive and profitable?” For some the answer is complicated and others not so, but eventually most see the obvious translation of this basic question: “How do I get the individuals who work for this company to become more efficient, productive and profitable?” There are obvious and often immediate benefits for a business that develops these individuals into a group, and then into a team. With the right amount of attention to the team concept a skillful leader can help develop chemistry within the team. The most successful businesses take the team chemistry one step farther and the result is a synergistic unit where ultimately the team and the business becomes more efficient, more productive, and more profitable. Synergy within the group provides an environment where the working team as a whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts.

There are many ways a leader can inject a team concept into a group of individuals. There are subtle and not so subtle methods to develop chemistry within the team in the quest for the group to develop some form of work environment synergy ultimately leading to a more profitable business and along the way providing a more enjoyable and satisfying work environment for the team members. One popular and arguably very effective method to build team chemistry is the company retreat. Having the team spend time together away from the typical work environment with a relatively busy (but not necessarily work related) itinerary can produce major positive results in team building over a relatively short time period. The next challenge is getting the team as individuals excited about spending time together away from the work place. It might help to pick a destination and a theme that many people would be excited about on their own.

A golf resort can provide the facilities and amenities necessary for a productive team building retreat. Meeting rooms, professional expertise, rental equipment, and dining choices are standard at all golf resorts. Most have exercise and lodging options. Of course, the golf course(s) and golf practice areas provide great learning forums as well. But the “keynote speaker” of any golf retreat will be the game itself. There are endless contests and play formats that can be used to put your team in the position to learn the benefits that playing the game has to offer. The next time you are planning a company retreat, consider enlisting the game of golf to teach your team many valuable qualities.

Ken Kaifas, a 16-year PGA member, is event and member sales manager for Red Hawk Golf and Resort in Sparks. Contact him at 775-321-5977 or KKaifas@ResortAtRedHawk.com.