Away Days: Are They Always Beneficial? | Avenue HQ

The Company Away Day is a controversial subject. Some think it is a great opportunity to spend a productive day away from the office while others think it’s a waste of time, taking away from ‘real work’.

What is an Away Day?

Away Days are often used as an opportunity to step away from the office environment and encourage colleagues to bond. Usually there is an overall aim to the day: a change in company strategy, improving team communication or simply developing new ideas.

The nature of the ‘Away’ in Away Day means that staff are lifted out of their regular surroundings and encouraged to participate without the stress of their daily workload. Shaking up a regular routine can encourage a different way of thinking, contributing toward the success of the day.

How Can Its Success Be Measured?

A concern that some may have is the short-lived excitement versus the long lasting impact.

Is it really worth spending a whole day out of the office?

The short answer is yes, however there are a few steps to get there:

1. Before you consider throwing your team into a room and hoping something magical might happen, it’s time to take a step back. Having a clear vision for the day and coming up with measurable outcomes will make the visible, long lasting effect a lot easier to see. This could be as simple as improving communication in your team and getting to know each other better, to devising a new company strategy that you can begin implement when you get back to the office.
2. Engage your team members by getting them involved in the planning of the day. It will give them a chance to feel like they are part of the strategic process and can add real value to the team. 
3. Reflect on the success of the Away Day 3 months later. This can give you a good understanding of its real impact for the company and how you can improve next time.

Think a Team Away Day sounds like a good idea, but not sure where to begin? Avenue HQ is a great place to host a productive and exciting day out for your team. We cater to all events, no matter what size or sector, with a wide selection of spaces available. Our professional, yet fun environment encourages hard work without limitations. 

(P.S.We have a bar…)

Get in touch with our team to start planning now.