Chat with Cat: Comfort or Conference? A Hypopthetical

Let's say that you own or manage a business. It may be a small business, or it may be a large branch of an international corporation. I'll let you decide that. So take a moment and imagine your role in this business. You over see lots of employees; you're very busy; and your budget is tight. Got it?

Now ask yourself whether you want to take a day away from the office, where your to-do lists are multiplying and your CFO is breathing down your neck, to go to an off-site meeting. I would think that several of you imaginary business people are saying, "That sounds nice, but I don't see how it's possible."

You might add, "Plus, the office is comfortable... I know where to get the coffee and make the copies and who to call when the light bulb burns out. Why would I want to deal with new people and places when I can just have my meetings here?"

Then think about the last big meeting you had—the last time you had to approve a new budget or develop a strategic plan. How many times did your cell phone ring? How many times did one of your employees walk up to the board room to tell you that your most annoying client was on the phone, again? And how many of those meetings did you walk out of wishing you had just one more hour to get to the bottom of the issue?

When people settle for what is comfortable, for what appears to be the inexpensive alternative, it may be costing them. It may be costing them precious time, productivity, and effort. And all of these things are real costs.

A retreat or off-site meeting accomplishes many things apart from the actual goal you set for it. First of all, it takes you out of your office. There are no ringing phones, no angry clients, and no last-minute tasks. Secondly, instead of contributing to your stress level, a well-planned off-site meeting can actually reduce some of the pressures of the workplace.

A conference or retreat facility with an experienced staff will run everything behind the scenes, so that you can run your meeting. And if you choose the right place, then the setting itself might even contribute to the renewal of both yourself and your staff.

What might your "cost-saving" in-house meetings actually be costing you? What do you have to lose by looking into an off-site retreat? Will you stick with comfort, or take a chance on a conference?



* * * * *

Cat is the Sales Associate at Montreat Conference Center. She loves helping people plan the perfect Montreat Experience and would love to hear from you about how this blog can help you.

Cat can be reached at catw@montreat.org or at @Cat_Montreat.