2 minutes

Do you take strategic retreats? You know, that break from your activities that you take once a year with your close family to reflect and plan for the future of your business?

Are you actually doing this, or is it really just a presentation of the decisions you've already made? If you've already had one or two executive resignations within 6 months of your "annual outing," you have a good idea of where you stand... Yet, there's a lot of value to be gained from this type of activity.

First of all, a strategic retreat, whether it's part of a transformation program or not, can't be accomplished in two days. It takes time for absorption and reflection before taking action. First, you, as the leader, must establish the vision and the ultimate goal to be achieved. There's no need to go any further at this stage.

Now it's time to go out

· Day 1 AM – Stop, Keep, Start: What should we stop doing, what should we continue doing and what should we start doing in the current context.

· Day 1 PM – Statement of vision and ultimate goal and, most importantly, why. We repeat the morning exercise Stop, Keep, Start, placing it in the context of achieving the vision and goal.

Day 2 AM – Determine the gaps between the current state and the vision and draft the steps to get there. At this point, you are not focusing on how you will do it, but only the steps. Create small working groups and schedule workshops upon your return to work on your action plan.

· Day 2 PM – Go outside and play. This is important and great for thinking.

When you return to "normal life," give the team one month to complete the workshops. Stick to a tight timeline to maintain pace, focus, and momentum. Their goal is to find a way to get there, not reasons not to.

Your second one-day retreat this time will be an action-packed one, where everyone will have the opportunity to enrich each other's reflections. You will establish your priorities and their ordering, and, most importantly, the means to achieve them.

Happy retirement!

Written in 2023