It's easy to become disconnected with the people and environment surrounding you and get caught up with everyday tasks. Once in a while it's good to step out of your zone and the all the stress for some bonding time with the people you spend a great amount of time with on the daily. No, I don't mean your family. I mean your work colleagues.
And that's what this post is about. I'm here to talk about how Gapturions stayed over one roof and connected as well as working together as a unit in January for our company retreat.
The retreat was held at Cameron Highlands. We departed from our office at Petaling Jaya at around 8.30am, Thursday. Even though it was only 9 of us, we booked a 13-seater van as to let everyone be comfortable for the long journeys and have spaces for purchases that we had planned for the last day.
I would tell you how the journey went on but I was asleep the whole time (sleep is crucial, people). Anyways, we arrived at around 12:15pm and checked into this beautiful bungalow that was located atop of the hill.
This British-style bungalow (or so I've been told)
The backyard
After freshening up, we went on with our programs which started with lunch, proceeded with an 'Ice Breaker' exercise, setting retreat goals, and reviewing the year 2015 by our CEO and head of respective departments. As a 5-year-old digital agency, we have achieved quite a fair bit!
'Ice Breaker' played with limited time
Performance marketing presentation by our CEO - Stanley Chee
Digital agency sales deck presentation by Ashley Ong
Evening comes and that's when the fun starts. Simply because we had an awesome BBQ session. There were Norwegian salmon, lambs, chicken wings, mushrooms, veggies and fried rice. The BBQ was prepared by Mr. Chong, as with all of our meals.
Scrumptious dinner
Unfortunately Mr. Chong didn't get no love from our designated photographer
Later that night we were thinking about what games to play, one of the ideas was to play a drinking game proposed by one of the Gapturions. But the idea was dropped instantly, because we are a bunch of working professionals. Just kidding. We didn't have any drinks other than water. Who'd want to play a game where the loser would be the one who goes to pee first?
We ended up watching a movie on the projector. It started off good but eventually everyone decided to do their on thing.
The following day started with breakfast, followed by activities including brainstorming on different subjects and matters; ideas, priorities and KPIs for 2016. Basically all the heavy lifting stuff. After strategizing on how to stand out among all other digital marketing agencies in town, it was lunch time. After lunch break we did two exercises back-to-back, 'Minefield' & 'Drop the Ball'.
Participants of 'Minefield' in action
The winning team for 'Drop the Ball'
Srumptious scones for tea break!
We were rather free during the evening. We did one last 'exercise' towards the end day which was played with playing cards called 'This Is My Life'; everyone had to pick a card and tell a story of a certain point of their lives. Each card had been designated to either; 'childhood', 'teenager', 'current', or 'future life'. The night went long as everyone had interesting stories to tell and was prepared to listen. Each story was different from the other. There were emotional, funny, sweet, and even traumatizing stories.
Cards of fate
Gapturion's sharing
More life sharing from Gapturions
On the third and final day we focused on the goals and strategies for 2016. In addition to that, our CEO also introduced a few special incentives that got everyone worked up.
We checked out of the house in the afternoon. But we managed to stop by at a few spots such as The Big Red Strawberry Farm, Boh Tea Plantation, and Kea Farm Vegetable Market before heading back to KL.
Strawberry-madness!
Boh Tea cafe
Long-armed wefie
All in all it was a very productive and fun retreat. It was certainly interesting to me as it was my first time. We managed to learn about the company's past performance and views for the future. I personally think it is important to have this 'getaway' trip with our company as it gives a chance for us to voice out our opinions on important matters, share our life stories and most importantly, spend time together.
Spot the one who is faking the jump
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