Cross-functional collaborations dominated the agenda as our team reunited in Georgia for our third co-working retreat of 2024.

The tranquil mountain region of Bakuriani was a perfect location for an industrious week of business as usual, inter-departmental planning and discussion, and team bonding activities.

A series of sessions dedicated to various ongoing multi-team projects helped progress several initiatives that are already under way and will enable clients and contractors to get more from their engagements. Similarly, some seminars looked to the future, focusing on building upon our existing internal infrastructure, improving processes, and exploring new ways to add value for our partners.

The work carried out in Georgia should bring long-term benefits beyond our interactions with external stakeholders. Various team members took the lead in a number of training sessions to help make our team as multi-faceted and efficient as possible, with scaling up in mind.

For a remote-first company like ours, these retreats make a real difference by gathering opinions from all departments more easily and promoting more open dialogue. As well as the business-centric sessions, other aspects of the trip focused on developing our existing company culture as we continue to evolve and expand as an organisation.

When it comes to investing in team-building and bonding, we don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk – literally. A whole-team trek through the mountain resort on our final day together was an apt final flourish that brought everyone closer and enabled us to make the most of our stunning setting.

The team now has just two months to wait until our final co-working retreat of the year, with work already ongoing to make our final group gathering as special as this one.

Travel guide: Gorgeous Georgia  

Where to stay  

• Kokhta – this hotel fits in perfectly with the majestic natural surroundings; it’s simple but stylish, has a full restaurant and bar plus relaxation areas, and plenty of workspace. Oh, and it’s not too far from the ski slopes… 

Food and drink  

• Dimitri’s Marani – expect quality regional cuisine, an enjoyable evening of wine tasting, and a charismatic host with the most (the aforementioned Dimitri, of course) on your visit to this Borjoni favourite. 

• Georgian Flavor – this smart restaurant uses locally sourced ingredients to ensure it delivers on what its name promises by delivering an authentic taste. 

• USHBA – cosy and comfy, this eatery offers plenty of options from home and abroad in a chilled-out setting. 

• Cafe Aspen – the panoramic views from this chic restaurant and bar are incredible and the food and drinks available are not too shabby either.  

Activities  

• Guided hike of the Bakuriani mountain resort – connect with this special rural setting by going into nature for a few hours. This isn’t the most arduous of hikes so fear not – this is something almost anyone can enjoy, particularly with such special views.