While most firms hold an annual retreat for the attorneys, one California firm has expanded the retreat concept to include staff and spouses.
According to the administrator, including staff and spouses at the firm’s annual retreat builds a bond between attorneys and staff and creates a positive attitude toward the firm’s goals and values, generating enthusiasm and new ideas.
Setting a positive and inclusive tone
The retreat is held over one weekend each fall. The office closes at noon and the program starts with a 6 p.m. dinner party.
From the beginning, the tone is positive. At the dinner the managing partner hands out the business agenda for the weekend. However, he also recognizes business and personal accomplishments of the attorneys or staff. He introduces any new employees, which gives them an immediate sense of involvement.
After dinner are table games and music, giving attorneys and staff the chance to make personal connections and spouses the opportunity to meet one another.
The program
Saturday, it’s down to business. The day begins with a motivational speaker and everyone attends.
Then comes the actual work. The partners, associates, and staff break out into their own sessions. After lunch is another two-hour block of work sessions.
For partners, the topics are the usual business and budget issues.
For the associates, the topics are mostly developmental such as ways to network or improve the billed hours. Participation earns continuing education credit.
For staff, topics are varied. One year they developed a mission statement for the firm. Other topics have been team building, ending gossip, goal setting, and improving client service.
The benefits
The total office staff retreat builds a bond between attorneys and staff. That, in turn, encourages staff to work more closely with the attorneys. It also gives them time to meet co-workers and their partners outside the work setting. The firm has found participation creates a positive attitude toward the firm to the extent that when there is a job opening, staff members encourage their friends to apply.
The retreat was opened to staff members at their request, after they saw how the attorneys-only event generated new enthusiasm and ideas.
At first, not everyone attended, but within a few years participation rose to almost 100 per cent.
Including staff and spouses in the motivational session had an all-around team building benefit, with families becoming more aware of the work, goals and values of the firm.
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