As I write this on Sales Rev Up, I’m on a plane going from one sales kick-off to the next; it’s kick-off season!
All these fantastic kick-offs have got me wondering: What does it take to have a killer kick-off?
1. Be clear on the primary objective
Is the primary objective to unite teams and build morale? Is the aim to ensure the team is united and clear on strategy? Is the purpose to upskill the team with enablement? Get clear on the agenda and outcomes that will deliver your vision.
2. Investing in your team
Start by identifying the skills that the team needs to develop to achieve your 2024 goals.
Investing in your team’s skills shows your commitment to their growth and doubles the likelihood of retaining your top talent.
Skills are constantly evolving, and a one-time training session won’t keep up with the pace of change; continuous learning is the benchmark to strive for.
76% of millennials believe professional development opportunities are one of the most important aspects of company culture.
3. Beyond the sales kick-off
To ensure that the team continues to apply what they’ve learned, it’s important to build daily proactive habits beyond the kick-off event. We forget what we’ve learned in a week unless implemented, so a bias for execution post kick-off is needed.
Regular one-on-one meetings and weekly team scorecards can reinforce learning and keep everyone accountable to execute on the strategy shared in kick-off.
Continuous learning ensures enablement isn’t just a one hit wonder!
The “forgetting curve” is real; Hermann Ebbinghaus, a German psychologist, was one of the first to study memory in 1885 and found that adults forget 90% of what they learn within just 30 days.
4. Create time for team building
Team building can improve work ethic and innovation up to 10 times.
With the changes in the workplace, including redundancies for some remote work with teams having never met in person, it’s valuable to provide opportunities for team-building.
Investing time in team-building can foster a sense of belonging, strengthen communication, and increase collaboration, all of which can contribute to better morale and a more successful team. Companies with a fully engaged workforce can generate twice the revenue.
5. Create time to celebrate
Who doesn’t love celebrating a win? Sharing success stories is a great way to get the mojo going and keep motivation high.
We should learn from each other’s successes, acknowledge hard work, and give awards to create a positive work culture.
Celebration doesn’t always have to be about client wins; celebrating team milestones, like an employee’s 10th work anniversary, can also be a great way to acknowledge great work and inspire the team.
An employee who has been recognised is 63% more likely to stay at their current job within the next three to six months.
6. Bring in fresh voices
On my most recent kick-off, I noticed that several messages I shared reinforced previous enablement and conversations. It’s like when your parents tell you to do something: We often don’t listen (or maybe that’s just me!), but a fresh voice might resonate!
Consider if you need external voices, motivational speakers, or senior leaders in your business to deliver fresh inspiration.
Retention rates rise 30-50% for companies with strong learning cultures.
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