At Ofri, we cherish our annual company retreat as a vital opportunity for team bonding. Despite working remotely from various locations across Europe, this event brings us together in person. It's our key time to connect beyond our screens, fostering stronger relationships and teamwork.

How does Ofri decide on a retreat location?

Last year Prague, the years before Zürich, Lisbon, Dresden and Malta – some of you might be interested in how we decide on our company retreat destinations.

There are two primary factors that heavily influence our decision-making process:

Firstly, we aim for a place that's entirely new for all of us. Exploring fresh locations together as a team creates an exhilarating and enjoyable experience, fostering a sense of shared discovery and adventure.
Secondly, considering our support team's participation during these retreats, we're mindful of time zones. Our travel destination must allow for smooth communication without significant time differences. We aim for locations within a time zone that is within a range of plus or minus three hours from our usual working hours.

Taking those two points into account, every team member has a chance to suggest and vote on a potential location. After much anticipation and enthusiastic voting, this year's winning destination for our retreat was... drum roll... Málaga!

What did Ofri do in 2023’s company retreat?

This year, the Ofri team, comprising nine core members, met in October for our retreat in Málaga. Unfortunately, two members were unable to join, but the seven of us who could make it, hailing from various parts of Europe, came together for this special gathering

Our retreat was filled with a range of engaging activities, each offering a unique experience and contributing to our team's camaraderie and growth. Here's a glimpse into what we did.

Sightseeing:

An essential part of our company retreat was joining a captivating Free Walking Tour. Did you know that Malaga is one of the oldest cities in the world and was once ruled by the Roman Empire? Our knowledgeable tour guide led us through the historical journey, starting from the ancient Teatro Romano de Málaga and concluding at the stunningly beautiful Alcazaba fortress in Malaga. The Alcazaba, with its captivating beauty, adorned with intricate details, impressive towers, and enchanting gardens, truly stands as a remarkable symbol of Malaga's rich history.

Escape room

Our team's escape room experience was undeniably thrilling. We found ourselves delving into solving a murder mystery, with everyone in full detective mode. The phrase "think like a cop" certainly left a lasting impression on each one of us, mainly because our crime-solving instincts seemed to be... well, let's say, not exactly Sherlock Holmes level!

Thankfully, it's a good thing none of us pursued a career in law enforcement. However, our collective effort and teamwork came through in the end, allowing us to crack the case! It turns out, that maybe we're better at working together than as individual detectives – a true win for the team!

police officer — Since it was a secret mission, no pictures were allowed so you'll have to settle for a stock image 🙃 © Andrew Leu – unsplash.com

Boat tour

Enjoying a sunset boat tour with the team was an absolute blast! Picture this: a breathtaking natural spectacle on the horizon as we lounged on the deck of a catamaran. But wait, there's more!

We weren't just sailing into the sunset; we were serenaded by an eclectic mix of party classics from the 60s, 70s, and 90s, coupled with some rousing football anthems. The combination was, let's say, a delightful medley of musical eras! What a night it turned out to be – a perfect blend of nature's beauty and a soundtrack that took us on a time-traveling, foot-tapping adventure. But – let the pictures speak for themselves.

Coworking action with culinary breaks

During our time together, we were fortunate to work in a coworking space located directly on the beach, which added a unique and serene backdrop to our collaboration. We delved into special projects, rediscovering the numerous advantages of in-person teamwork on a common goal. The power of working side by side was accentuated by the inspiring beachside setting.

Our lunch breaks were a culinary adventure, indulging in the flavors of Malaga’s cuisine and savoring delicious local dishes. These moments added a delightful touch to our days, complementing our productive sessions perfectly.

Another enriching experience was taking the DISC personality test, completed by each team member. It shed light on how different personalities contribute to our team dynamics, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and strategies for a better work environment. This insight helped us understand each other better and enhanced our ability to collaborate more effectively as a team.

Evening wind-down with food and games

We always ended our days by cooking together and enjoying fun game nights, featuring classics like Uno and an engaging Music Quiz Finish Cover. These simple yet enjoyable activities made our evenings special.

It’s these moments of shared laughter and friendly competition that truly added to the joy of our experience.

This year's retreat was certainly more than just a series of activities; it was a celebration of our team's diversity, strength, and unity.

See u next year team Ofri

We were thrilled to have the opportunity to reunite and bolster our team spirit. As we departed, we couldn't help but anticipate the next adventure. Looking ahead, we hope that next year both of our other team members will join us when the call for "Team Ofri Goes Abroad" echoes once more.

The camaraderie and shared experiences are something we eagerly look forward to, and having everyone together would make the journey even more memorable and enriching for all of us.