Anna Buczak
9
min read
Last Update:
August 18, 2023

No, it's not just another day in the office, but rather a unique blend of work and leisure that took us - the People Team - on an inspiring journey to the Sudetes Mountains! This venture, known as a "workation," involves heading out of the conventional office environment and into a scenic location where work and relaxation intertwine.

Our fantastic four-person People Team spent three days brainstorming, learning, and playing, all while soaking in the natural beauty of the Sudety range. Intrigued?

Spoiler alert: These types of group outings are not only an opportunity to view our HR processes from a fresh perspective but also to integrate the team even more closely!

ULAM LABS - Workation Part I

The concept of “Workation”

As we venture further into the era of remote work, a new trend has emerged on the horizon - the "workation". A clever blend of 'work' and 'vacation', a workation is an innovative approach where professionals combine their work responsibilities with the relaxation of a getaway. Instead of being confined to the traditional office space, a workation takes you to exciting locales - often surrounded by nature, away from the typical hustle and bustle.

This approach offers a multitude of benefits.Apart from providing a much-needed change of scenery that can invigorate the mind and spark creativity, workation also offers a fantastic opportunity for team bonding outside of the usual professional setting. This blending of work and leisure leads to a richer, more fulfilling work-life experience, enhancing productivity, and boosting overall employee satisfaction. In general, it's a win-win situation!

The stars of this adventure - our People Team

As you're already aware, workation appears to be an ideal approach for boosting team spirit. Now, let's meet the participants of this escape! Leading the team is Ania Matuszak, our Head of People. With her strategic vision and a passion for employee development, Ania is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and vibrant work culture that drives our company forward.

Next, we have Ania Buczak, our Employer Branding Specialist. With her keen eye for storytelling and branding, Ania ensures our company stands out as a top-tier employer, attracting and retaining the best talents in the industry.

Natalia, our HR Specialist, is the backbone of our HR operations. From recruitment to employee relations, Natalia's expertise and diligence keep our organization running smoothly.

Last but not least, we have Patrycja, our HR and Financial Specialist. Patrycja seamlessly bridges the worlds of human resources and finance, providing invaluable insight and support that contribute to our company's financial health and overall success.

Activities during our workation

Once we reached the Sudetes, our daily activities struck a careful balance between work and play. Day one was mainly about acclimatization and team building. After settling into our accommodations, we kicked off our retreat with a looong walk around and an evening of board games. This was not just about fun; it also allowed us to unwind and strengthen our bonds outside of a professional context, building fellowship that would fuel our brainstorming sessions in the days to come.

ULAM LABS - Workation Part II

On the second day, the real work began. We dove deep into brainstorming sessions aimed at enhancing our HR processes. Through open dialogues and collaborative thinking, we explored various ideas, each one providing a fresh perspective.

Later we dedicated ourselves to LinkedIn workshops, facilitated by Natalia. These interactive sessions provided insights into leveraging LinkedIn for professional networking, personal branding, and recruitment. We explored various techniques and best practices to maximize our professional digital visibility.

ULAM LABS - Workation Part III

After a fruitful brainstorming session, we decided to explore the local area. We set off to see a unique landmark located in Świeradów-Zdrój. This attraction, a striking structure towering 62 meters above the ground, offered a panoramic view of the surroundings that left us in awe. The experience not only gave us a break from our work-related discussions but also provided an opportunity to appreciate the natural beauty of the Sudetes.  It served as a reminder of how vital it is to take a step back from our daily tasks, seeking inspiration beyond the digital realm and discovering it within the natural landscape.

In the pockets of free time we had, we returned to our board games, allowing us to relax, laugh, and deepen our connections. Through all these activities, we found that combining work with such a leisurely and scenic environment allowed us to approach tasks with a refreshed mind, leading to fruitful discussions and productive sessions.

ULAM LABS - Workation Part IV

Outcomes and learnings

Our workation to the Sudetes wasn't just a change of scenery—it was a game-changer in how we work and play. We came back with our heads buzzing with ideas on how to tweak our HR processes. It's like a breath of fresh air blew right through our usual work routines, shaking things up and giving us new perspectives. Watch this space because we can't wait to bring these cool ideas to life!

Those LinkedIn workshops? Absolute eye-openers! We're now armed with all the tips and tricks to make our profiles shine and network like a pro. It's not just about enhancing our personal brands, but also about how we attract those superstar talents to join our crew.

ULAM LABS - Workation Part V

And it wasn't all work and no play, of course. Between brainstorming and LinkedIn-ing, we laughed our heads off over board games. It was great to see a different side to everyone outside the usual office setup. We got to know each other on a whole new level, not just as colleagues but as friends.

So yeah, our workation was a blast! It reminded us that taking a break from the norm can lead to some amazing things—new ideas, new skills, and an even tighter team. All in all, it was work and vacation all rolled into one epic adventure.

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I genuinely believe every team can benefit from such an immersive experience. It's a beautiful fusion of productivity, relaxation, and team-building. Here's to many more workations in our future!

Ania Matuszak
Head of People

Do we recommend workation?

Sure we do! We've seen first-hand how taking our work to a whole new place can shake things up in the best possible way! So, we're throwing down the challenge: consider a workation for your next team project or brainstorming session. It's more than just a change of scenery; it's a chance to bond, to laugh, and to see your work and each other in a new light. Let the upcoming sentences stand as the ultimate recommendation for taking a break from the office with your team (even if only for a while!).

And who knows? The next great idea might just be waiting for you at the top of a mountain, the edge of a lake, or even just around a campfire. Trust us, it's a game-changer!

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