Our team just got back from our annual offsite. Let’s face it - taking two full days off “work” can seem impossible when you’re on consistent deadlines and would love nothing more than to just continue checking things off your day-to-day list. But offsites are imperative for businesses. We’ve been doing these for several years and have some tips on what makes an offsite successful.

1. Have a clear objective going into it. This can be about looking ahead 2-3 years (or even 10 like we did last year!), facilitating discussions around big challenges, or just improving collaboration. Answer the question: at the end of the offsite, what would we like to have accomplished?
2. Move beyond the day-to-day and spend time on the bigger picture. Taking a step back to recalibrate on where you’ve been and where you’re going, rather than just the details.
3. Actually work together. All businesses have departments and teams that overlap, but sometimes don’t actually roll their sleeves up side-by-side. Take this opportunity, where no one is answering emails and slacks, to truly collaborate.
4. Develop an agenda and a “run of show.” It can be easy to get off track - leave ample room for free-flowing discussion, but have it grounded in a structure that leaves you with actionable take-aways.
5. Follow up quickly and put decisions, plans, and ideas into action. Brainstorming is fun, but without clear owners, deadlines, and follow-up it can all go to waste! We recommend appointing a couple of people who will debrief within 48 hours to get everything into a short term and long term plan.
6. Leave room for levity. How often do you truly get to be with your colleagues and just have fun? Whether it’s watching the Phillies win a game or enjoying a long, leisurely meal together, this is time that you may not otherwise get together.
7. Be grateful. You’re building something amazing and the best is yet to come!

• Arkos Health, a care coordination company, appoints Eric Tanner as Chief Executive Officer. Jerry Williamson will transition to Executive Director of the Board and Chief Strategy Officer  (Source)
• David Gascoigne joins Segmed, a real-world imaging data company, as Chief Executive Officer (Source)
• Caroline Jessen and Keven Sticher join Collective Health, a health benefits company, as Chief People Officer and Chief Information Security Officer, respectively (Source)
• Valerie Mondelli joins Iodine Software, an AI-powered clinical intelligence platform, as Chief Commercial Officer (Source)
• Sean Lannan joins eClinical Solutions, a clinical software solutions for life science companies, as Chief Financial Officer (Source)
• Brittany Flanagan joins Oshi Health, a virtual gastroenterology company, as Chief People Officer (Source)
• Erin Trimble joins Alma, a mental health company, as Chief Operations Officer (Source)
• Julie Devine joins Avalon Healthcare Solutions, a lab data and benefit management company, as Chief Commercial Officer (Source)

• Amae Health, a company focused on individuals living with SMI, is hiring a Strategic Finance Lead
• Spring Health, a mental health company, is hiring a VP, Product Design and AI Safety Lead
• CareScout, a care navigation company for older adults and their families, is hiring a Head of Strategy
• Covera Health, an AI-enabled diagnostic technology company company, is hiring a VP, Product
• SmarterDx, a clinical AI company empowering hospitals, is hiring an ML Engineering Manager