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The Databox team recently had our first-ever team retreat on the beautiful Tenerife island. It was a fantastic experience for all involved. With over 100 Databox Playmakers flying in from across the globe and coming together, we had an incredible time bonding and building bridges across all teams.
While we certainly took the time to focus on our high-level company mission and vision, unveiling our exciting future business and product strategy, we didn’t just talk shop all day! We also made sure to have plenty of fun. We engaged in team-building activities, insightful workshops, and valuable learning experiences to enhance our connections.
In this blog, we are thrilled to give you a sneak peek into our days on the location.
At Databox, we firmly believe that a thriving company culture is the key to success, and the team retreat was an important part of our efforts to strengthen that culture. This is why we wanted to take the opportunity with the first-ever team retreat for all of us to come together, share ideas, bond, and build bridges across all teams.
Not only we highlighted the high-level company mission and vision, but we also unveiled the exciting future of our business and product strategy. As our focus on company culture is paramount, we worked together to enhance our connection through engaging team-building activities, insightful workshops, and valuable learning experiences.
The retreat occurred from March 20-24 on the beautiful Tenerife island, Spain. We began on Monday evening and wrapped up on Friday morning with a full schedule of business and learning activities, workshops, and discussions.
Here’s how it all went down:
The first day of the team retreat was filled with excitement and anticipation as everyone arrived eager to kick off the retreat. The day started with a warm welcome as the team gathered for a delicious dinner and had the chance to catch up and get to know each other better.
After dinner, the official kickoff of the retreat began, and everyone was eager to see what was in store. The welcome speech by our Operations Manager, Rebeka, set the tone for the retreat, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and collaboration. It was an inspiring moment that ignited a sense of purpose and unity in everyone.
Following the welcome, the evening program began with an ice-breaking called the “Childhood photo guessing” run by our Customer Onboarding consultant, Nicole. It was a fun-filled game that helped everyone relax and get comfortable with each other. But this was just the beginning of an unforgettable journey that brought the team closer and left lasting memories for everyone involved.
The retreat was an unforgettable experience, thoughtfully curated by our People & Culture team to engage, rejuvenate, and inspire. We started each day with a refreshing meditation and breathwork session. For those seeking a more invigorating challenge, our team-led sports activities provided a fun-filled way to get moving and connect with our colleagues.
As the retreat progressed, each day brought something new and exciting. On the second day, we shifted our focus to strategy and company culture with inspiring keynote speakers from our leadership team. As part of the keynote, our CEO Pete Caputa presented company strategy and plans for 2023, and our founder and CPO, Davorin Gabrovec, walked us through some of the early Databox stories and product strategy for 2023 and beyond. Following this, the rest of the Databox leadership team shared their perspectives and plans for all departments, including marketing, sales, customer service, product, engineering, people, and culture. We wrapped up the day with a talk about our company culture and the role of each team member in cultivating it, presented by Aljaž and Maša from our People & Culture. We discussed how we plan to develop our teams and leaders further, followed by a workshop on exploring our values and initiatives to shape our future.
But the retreat was not all work and no play! Before we finished our afternoon session, Simona Majerska, our spiritual coach for the retreat, walked us through the importance of work-life balance, tactics to manage stress, and how conscious breathing can help us find inner peace.
We ended a successful day with a competitive trivia game, followed by drinks and engaging conversations late into the night.
The third day was dedicated entirely to the trip and sightseeing, which is always an exciting experience. Still, when it involves a culinary class and a wine tasting in a breathtaking natural park, it becomes an unforgettable memory.
During the team’s visit to Las Cañadas Del Teide, we not only had the chance to explore the park’s stunning landscapes but also to immerse ourselves in the unique gastronomic culture of and the culinary class where we learned about the ingredients and how to make the famous mojo sauce, a versatile condiment that adds a tangy and spicy flavor to any dish. Not to mention we also got to sample some of the finest wines produced in the region.
Overall, the trip to Las Cañadas Del Teide was a delightful experience that allowed us to discover the beauty and richness of the Canary Islands’ heritage.
The fourth day of the team retreat was a perfect blend of insightful workshops and fun-filled activities to end the entire event. The team delved into the art of building high-performing teams and learned about effective team collaboration through interactive workshops and engaging group discussions led by Matej Golob, our program facilitator and one of the pioneers of lean and agile innovation in Slovenia.
During the workshops, the team was split into cross-functional groups to identify and define the specific challenges that hinder the creation of high-performing teams. Each group then presented its findings to the rest of the team, providing valuable insights and opening up an avenue for discussion. The team then went into their respective groups to brainstorm and come up with initiatives and solutions to address their specific challenges. The final workshop was particularly engaging as we were tasked with envisioning Databox in the year 2030 and simulating interviews as if we were already there. The exercise was not only thought-provoking but also fun. Overall, the workshops were insightful and provided us with valuable takeaways that we can apply to our day-to-day work.
After a day filled with learning, the team geared up for an evening of entertainment with karaoke. As the night drew to a close, our Playmakers received diplomas for participating in various activities throughout the retreat.
After days of engaging activities, inspiring speakers, and team-building exercises, the time had come to say our farewells. As we bid each other goodbye, there was a sense of collective energy and connection that lingered in the air. It was clear that the retreat had brought us closer together as a team, and we departed feeling invigorated and excited to tackle the challenges that lay ahead.
Overall, the Databox team retreat was a resounding success, creating an unforgettable experience for all involved. Beyond the fun and laughter, the retreat allowed us to forge deeper connections, learn from one another, and align ourselves with the company’s values and strategy.
Taking on this kind of project and planning an event for such a big group is definitely a challenge. Still, we see it as an important investment and, more so, our commitment to cultivating a thriving company culture and fostering a strong sense of community.
For those interested in planning their own team retreat, stay tuned for a detailed write-up of our journey, from location selection to agenda planning. Don’t miss out on the chance to create lasting memories and build a stronger team!
Brand & Culture Manager at Databox
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