The term "New Work" characterizes the modern working world like no other. It focuses on a self-determined way of working, which has developed through the integration of private and professional life and the creation of flat hierarchies. The trend has gone so far that long-established companies are beginning to restructure their own companies with a view to team structuring and workflows, transforming them into startups and young companies characterized by New Work.
A guest article by Annika Wagner, Startup Alm
With Startup Alm Destinations, we have pursued the goal of creating contemporary spaces where we purposefully bring innovative teams together and support them on their journey into a new world of work. Our mountain locations host both startups and companies around the clock, helping to shape their successes and bringing them to life in our offsite events. We share these experiences in this report to inspire you to take part in offsite events in the age of New Work.
Rethinking flexible structures and thought patterns
New Work has created a new tourist target group, as teams increasingly need to organize themselves. They are given space and time to rethink flexible structures and thought patterns. To do this, they travel to a quiet, productive location: a team offsite. Here are five reasons why this decision is in favor:
1. Focus on creativity and idea development
In the often hectic workday, with the constant ringing of phones, meetings, and the feeling of only having accomplished half the workload by the end of the day, one thing is often neglected: time and space for creativity and the development of entirely new ideas and approaches. An offsite break focuses on precisely this—in an inspiring environment and a safe atmosphere where the team is alone, free from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
2. Team building
How well do you, as a manager and team member, actually know your colleagues and their greatest strengths? This is a question whose answer should be at the top of the priority list for an offsite event. The importance and essential nature of the key concepts of team integration, networking, and appreciation for a team is often underestimated. We recommend placing interactive team activities at the top of your team-building agenda, as the effects will be felt within the team for weeks after the team offsite.
Always on the move
3. Meeting with location flexibility and space for movement
Thought processes are refreshed when the team can change locations from time to time. If topics under discussion or conversations start to go in circles, they can easily move outside. There, instead of street noise, they're greeted by mountain air and peace. The key to creative work is always staying active. What can be a challenge in cramped office spaces is no problem at an offsite team event. Even if it's just walking around the hut to loosen up, stepping out onto the terrace and enjoying the mountain view, or being persuaded by sporty colleagues to join them for a morning run.
4. Time to prepare team topics and norms
How do you create and lead a team that functions well and excels through maximum productivity and a positive work atmosphere? As mentioned in point two, this requires first ensuring appreciation and integration within the team. Once this atmosphere has been achieved, the next item on the agenda should be to clearly identify, name, and optimally utilize the strengths of each member of the team. Google's Project Aristotle has shown that “the interaction within a team is more important for successful collaboration than its composition”The main goal of this topic in the team offsite: to create a self-organizing and functioning team, which we will discuss in the next point.
No room for outdated hierarchies
5. Self-organization in the team
This brings us back to the concept of New Work: Teams organize themselves, giving them space, time, and flexibility to rethink flexible structures and thought patterns. Outdated hierarchical systems are giving way to flat hierarchies based on trust and mutual respect. Everyone independently does exactly what they do best or what corresponds to their greatest talent, thus contributing to the company's success.
About the Startup Alm:
On the Startup Alm Destinations can offer innovative companies and startups the opportunity to explore the new world of work in contemporary, authentic locations. By rethinking hotel concepts and expanding them with additional services, the creators of Startup Alm can ensure high occupancy rates year-round, regardless of the season.
