Rating: 
Summary: Had to read it, but loved it!
Review: I'm responsible for planning the next retreat my department will have this Spring. I am impressed with the detail and organization of this book. It really helped me, someone new to retreat planning, think about the goals and objectives of this venture I'm undertaking. I can't wait to see how all this good advice helps my department move the company forward!
Rating:
Summary: You NEED to read this book!
Review: In a time where companies are thinning their ranks to keep only the most talented workers, along comes a book that gives managers the tools they need to motivate their teams. It doesn't matter what type of industry you're in (I'm in healthcare) this book has the step-by-step instructions on how to plan, organize, and implement an effective retreat. Empowered workers are happy employees who contribute to the bottom line. This very "readable" book is a must-have for any manager, executive or human resources professional.
Rating:
Summary: You NEED to read this book!
Review: In a time where companies are thinning their ranks to keep only the most talented workers, along comes a book that gives managers the tools they need to motivate their teams. It doesn't matter what type of industry you're in (I'm in healthcare) this book has the step-by-step instructions on how to plan, organize, and implement an effective retreat. Empowered workers are happy employees who contribute to the bottom line. This very "readable" book is a must-have for any manager, executive or human resources professional.
Rating:
Summary: A Resource for Trouble-Shooting
Review: Retreats are clearly not just get-to-know-ya fun and games but, as this book makes clear, opportunities to focus on strategic planning, group cohesiveness, conflict resolution, and creating change in the workplace. Translating decisions into action by making sure the results of the retreat can be seen back at the office is so important. Thankfully, the authors address this topic, too. I appreciate how the authors present their advice and ideas for running successfull offsite meetings in an accessable format, with important guidance on overcoming resistance and dealing with so many of the other problems that can sometimes doom retreats. There are a lot of ideas here I never would have thought of. I would definitely recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Beyond feel good: useful insights and exercises
Review: This book gives examples of various kinds of retreats and includes sample exercises for each that are simple, creative, and effective with no hint of the flaky factor that makes some retreats go offtrack. In fact, I'd say that the section on "Reasons NOT to hold a retreat" was alone worth the price of this book for its value in clarifying what a retreat can and cannot do. As a communications trainer with my own non-profit board to deal with, I was most impressed by the fact that the chapter on non-profits identifies as a "most common concern" exactly the thing that causes my board trouble -- complaints of micromanaging on details while sidestepping needs for fundraising. The insight that this is a structural problem rather than a personality issue has been extremely helpful to me -- even without a retreat -- and convinced me these authors must know what they're talking about.
Rating:
Summary: So good it showed me a retreat is not for us
Review: This book is EXCELLENT. It is so good in fact that it showed me why a retreat is not for us. Instead, I am using the activities it describes to create a series of training sessions for our senior and middle managers, or what you might call a series of mini-retreats, a couple of hours each once a week over several weeks. The activities contained in this book are intelligent and fun, unlike several others I've read. I highly recommend this book for the activities section alone -- and if you do want to do a full retreat, it will prove even more valuable. Also, the sections on pre-interviewing participants and retreat design components were very helpful, and I am putting them to good use. I also like "101 Games for Trainers" by Bob Pike, and "Games That Teach Teams" by Steve Sugar. I think these three books together are the best place to start -- there are a lot of other titles out there that are, in a word, garbage, and should be avoided.
Rating:
Summary: So good it showed me a retreat is not for us
Review: This book is EXCELLENT. It is so good in fact that it showed me why a retreat is not for us. Instead, I am using the activities it describes to create a series of training sessions for our senior and middle managers, or what you might call a series of mini-retreats, a couple of hours each once a week over several weeks. The activities contained in this book are intelligent and fun, unlike several others I've read. I highly recommend this book for the activities section alone -- and if you do want to do a full retreat, it will prove even more valuable. Also, the sections on pre-interviewing participants and retreat design components were very helpful, and I am putting them to good use. I also like "101 Games for Trainers" by Bob Pike, and "Games That Teach Teams" by Steve Sugar. I think these three books together are the best place to start -- there are a lot of other titles out there that are, in a word, garbage, and should be avoided.
Rating:
Summary: Priceless advice!
Review: This is a terrific handbook for anyone who wants to (or has been assigned to) organize or lead a retreat for their company or non-profit organization. The authors describe the guiding principles for designing a retreat, they outline the logistics in detail, and they provide all kinds of good advice about how planners and facilitators should work together to get the most out of an offsite meeting. The checklists alone are worth the price of the book, and the activities sections are priceless!
Rating:
Summary: Priceless advice!
Review: This is a terrific handbook for anyone who wants to (or has been assigned to) organize or lead a retreat for their company or non-profit organization. The authors describe the guiding principles for designing a retreat, they outline the logistics in detail, and they provide all kinds of good advice about how planners and facilitators should work together to get the most out of an offsite meeting. The checklists alone are worth the price of the book, and the activities sections are priceless!
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