The managing director and chief executive officer of Design Union Limited, Anthony Aihie, has called on companies in Nigeria to rethink their approach to corporate retreats. This call was made during the informal unveiling of Domo, an urban retreat developed by his company in Elegbusi, Lekki, Lagos. Aihie, an architect, believes that organisations can achieve better results from retreats by adopting a more integrated approach.
According to Aihie, the conventional approach to corporate retreats often involves moving between different venues, which can be costly and less productive. He suggests that combining meetings, accommodation, meals, and recreational activities in one location can help reduce logistical expenses. This approach also creates an environment that promotes concentration, team interaction, and strategic thinking. By doing so, companies can derive greater value from their corporate retreats.
Aihie emphasises that corporate retreats should not be viewed merely as meetings held outside the office. Instead, they should be seen as opportunities for organisations to review their strategies, strengthen relationships among employees, and create time for teams to disengage from routine work pressures. This perspective highlights the importance of corporate retreats in enhancing organisational performance and employee well-being.
The decision to develop Domo was informed by changing organisational needs and the need for a more private, focused environment for corporate engagements. Aihie notes that conventional hotels often do not provide the level of privacy and concentration required for certain strategy meetings, leadership sessions, and team-building activities. This limitation can hinder the effectiveness of corporate retreats.
Domo was designed to provide companies with an alternative setting where teams can hold meetings and workshops, stay, dine, and relax without leaving the facility. The concept draws inspiration from Edo and Japanese approaches to space, nature, and design. The aim is to create an environment that combines productive work with relaxation, allowing teams to recharge and refocus.
The development of Domo comes amid growing use of off-site meetings by organisations seeking to improve team interaction, review business strategies, and provide employees with opportunities to temporarily withdraw from the pressures of the workplace. This trend highlights the increasing recognition of the importance of corporate retreats in enhancing organisational performance and employee well-being.
According to Aihie, bringing key elements of a retreat together in one location can help companies manage costs while getting more value from their corporate programmes. By adopting an integrated approach to corporate retreats, organisations can reduce logistical expenses and create a more productive and relaxing environment for their teams.
Key points
- Companies can achieve better results from retreats by adopting a more integrated approach.
- Conventional hotels often do not provide the level of privacy and concentration required for certain strategy meetings.
- Domo was designed to provide companies with an alternative setting for corporate engagements.
