About Manipal University
Manipal University is a well-established and prestigious higher education institution based in India. The university, which stands out with its multidisciplinary structure, not only shows diversity in the academic field, but also stands out with its multicultural structure. This different cultural structure within the workplace requires special attention to employment engagement and cross-cultural bonding. It was decided to organise a Retreat to mingle with the recently added team members and strengthen the bonds of employees from different cultures.
Therefore, a 3-day team retreat was planned, where employees could spend time together.
© Retreat Powered by Midstay
Why Did Manipal Request a Team Retreat?
We worked with our Malaysian partner Radiant to organise a team Retreat in Malaysia for 104, new and old employees from different cultures. By deciding on this special Retreat, Manipal aimed to strengthen the bond between the different departments as well as the rapid integration of new teammates. One of the main objectives of the team offsite was to strengthen the team spirit through collaborative activities, to adapt to the new vision of the organisation and to support the transition from the old style of responsibility to the new organisational vision-oriented work.
To support these aims, a team Retreat programme focused on people rather than work was chosen. Emphasis was placed on activities that are stress-free and encourage team bonding. Activities that support team spirit were emphasised.
How was the Retreat Organised?
The team Retreat, designed in collaboration with Midstay and Radiant, offered an experience where employees could both connect and gain motivation for the future of the organization. The planning was professionally run from start to finish:
- Accommodation
- Event flow
- Catering and transport arrangements
All details were fully coordinated thanks to the Midstay Partner Network. Radiant, one of Midstay’s trusted partners, designed a unique experience for Manipal University, utilising their local experience and domain knowledge in Malaysia. With Midstay’s support, events were found to best suit Manipal’s purpose, while saving cost and time.
The Ultimate Team Retreat Destination: Malaysia
Malaysia is already a very advantageous country due to its location and natural beauties. The decision of Kampung Janda Baik makes this choice even more attractive. It is a strategic region in terms of easy access to Kuala Lumpur while being in touch with nature.
Being away from the city and surrounded by nature, the participants were able to get away from stress and establish sincere bonds.
Advantages of Hotel Selection
The choice of hotel was a perfect match with Manipal’s priorities:
- Large areas suitable for teamwork for workshops and meetings
- Being in touch with nature to reduce working stress
- Open spaces of the required size for outdoor games and walking
- With its high quality for both accommodation and catering, it fully complied with Manipal’s objectives and hosted a unique experience.
What the Team Retreat Looked Like
Day 1: Arrival, Common Visioning Activity, Socialising
After the participants were welcomed and settled in their rooms, opening speeches were made and then the activities started. The first workshop was “Building Utopia”. In this workshop, participants were asked to design an ideal team/organisation environment that they imagine in the future. Thus, they both produced something together, shared the team environment they imagined, and broke the ice between them thanks to the workshop.
In the evening the participants had free time to socialise and relax. Some participants went for a walk together, while others preferred to chat by the pool, so that they had the opportunity to get to know each other and talk about themselves outside of work.
Day 2: Team Building Activities and Retro Night
On the second day, various team building activities were organised to strengthen the bond between departments. These activities included clue hunt games, team competitions and activities such as cooking local dishes and introducing them to teammates.
In this way, the participants learnt to trust each other, learnt each other’s stories and discovered their strengths and boosted the internal communication while having an enjoyable time.
The evening of the second day was an unforgettable night for the participants with Retro Night. Participants wore colourful clothes from the 70s and 80s. At the end of the night, the most creative and best outfits were awarded and the king and queen were elected. Prizes were distributed to the winners. This event reinforced the team spirit and helped to establish more sincere bonds.
Day 3: Celebrating Team Spirit and Closing
On the last day of the Retreat, participants participated in team activities and competitions that were both fun and demanded attention. After these three fun-filled days full of activities reminding the importance of being a team, closing speeches were made. In these speeches, the Manipal team talked about the strengthening of their bond and how much fun they had, and did not forget to thank Radiant for organising the Retreat.
Click HERE to watch the heartwarming video of the Manipal University team sharing the moments they had fun at the Retreat on their Facebook page.
What Was the Impact of the Retreat?
Manipal University College Malaysia team had the opportunity to get to know each other in this three-day Retreat and their bonds as a team were strengthened. The games played, the activities that made them share about themselves while having fun and the sincere moments increased the team’s trust in each other and enabled the new team members to adapt to the team quickly. In this process of restructuring, they spent three days reviewing their common goals, renewing their motivation and strengthening the harmony between departments. As they returned to their daily working lives, they made a new start with increased motivation and renewed energy.
Strengthen Team Dynamics with a Well-Planned Retreat
A corporate Retreat is much more than a few days’ away for the team; after a well-planned Retreat, the bonds between team members are strengthened, which means improved team dynamics, better collaboration and elevated teamwork.
Rewarding your team, a short break, strengthening ties, whatever the reason, we are here for you and your team! We promise a team Retreat experience thought out from end to end. We plan everything in the finest detail, from purposeful arrangements, activities, transport, accommodation, dining and meeting rooms, and all you and your team have to do is enjoy it! Don’t hesitate to contact us to talk further about how we can create your perfect team experience, fully tailored to your needs.
