Every summer our team takes some time away from the hustle to hang. This escape is fondly known as our annual team retreat. What started as a day in the Napa sun for much need R+R and work-unrelated team time, has since evolved into a 3 day off-site with a combo of strategy, team coaching, and a healthy dose of fun.

This year, our now bicoastal brood of FTEs met up in our SF HQ for team coaching and a night in the city. From there, we drove up to Autocamp in the Russian River Valley and glamped in some pretty rad Airstreams, filling the days with a bit of work and a lot of games. The goal: support an ‘nSync, happy, thriving team.

Here’s the low down on our itinerary:

Team Coaching: personality tests (who doesn’t like to talk/learn about herself?!), communication styles, and characteristics of high-functioning teams were the main agenda, facilitated by our friends at SNP

Road Tripping: caravanning up to Sonoma included an HBS case study debate on The Blond Salad (not to mention, hashing Chiara’s recent life events)

Wine Tasting: must-do in wine country, complete with an all-team costume of custom Lingua Franca “to be perfectly frank” sweaters

Sunset Watching: wowza! just a short drive to the Sonoma coast, where the river and ocean meet. Fresh caught salmon all around.

Brainstorming: all hands on deck creating our 2019 operating plan - essentially our to do list by quarter. What do you want to see from us next year?

Hiking: embracing the best part of NorCal living, followed by a delish lunch at Big Bottom Market

Mystery Solving: couldn’t miss our recent tradition of a murder mystery dinner, complete with a western theme, grilling out, s’mores, and more campfire chats

That’s the gist, folks. In the spirit of continuous improvement, we’d love to hear what team events and activities have been powerful to you! Please share below.