Updated: April 16, 2024
Where you decide to go for your workation has so much more to do than just deciding on a pretty location:
Is the city big enough to have resorts that can accommodate your company size? Is the city well connected enough that everything is readily available (accessibility from different cities and countries, medical dispensaries, eateries, transportation, etc.)?
We had Varanasi as an option in one of our initial discussions, but we knew that the streets would be jam-packed if we all just went out for breakfast together.
That is exactly why we also did not select Bir in Himachal Pradesh. These are beautiful places, but they must also make logistical sense. Having an international airport, a 24-hour medical store, hospitals, etc, is of paramount importance!
Are there enough things to do in and around the place so that you can have some out-of-work team bonding experience?
We found a beautiful resort in the heart of West Bengal and were close to striking a great deal. However, we realized that it was literally in the heart; it was so far from the main hustle and bustle of the city that there was nothing to do when not working.
This is a super important point to note! When going to a new place, ensuring that there is enough to do for everyone is essential.
How is the internet connectivity?
One of the most important points: is the internet connection strong enough?
Remember, you don’t need the Internet to post story updates; you need the Internet to run a business for 8 hours, constantly and every day!
It is crucial to pick a town/city and a resort that can accommodate such a request. We had a dedicated network engineer to ensure things ran smoothly, and you can, too!
Favorable Weather Conditions
During the planning phase, we were inclined towards North East India and the snow-capped mountains. But as fascinating as it sounds, snow can slow you down (nobody would want to leave heaters and blankets and get to work!).
We preferred North India (Mussoorie) during the Spring season for our first workation. The climate is pleasant, you don’t need to overpack, there are fewer chances of falling sick, and it is just easier to stay disciplined when you can’t smell the ocean (hey, we are talking from experience, but to each their own😋)
We have also explored Udaipur and Pondicherry, and each place has something unique to offer and its own set of challenges. Knowing your non-negotiables is a must when deciding on the location!
Bookings at the decided location
Once you have finalized where to take the team, it is time to make the arrangements. The heavy lifting is just starting!
As much as possible, try to book an entire resort rather than rooms in a famous hotel chain. We have seen that you can bag some great deals if you book the entire resort!
Not just deals, but that resort becomes “your” space where you cannot just work but hang out with colleagues.
It’s not just the same thing if you don’t “own” the resort or hotel for those few days and end up sharing it with other tourists.
There are multiple factors to consider when choosing the resort:
- Does your budget allow for it?
- Is it in the main city or on the outskirts, what do you prefer and why?
- Can they provide the requested internet bandwidth and power backup at all times?
- Do they meet your food preferences (don’t forget to specify the requirements in advance, and do not forget to check for allergies within the team)?
Next, always arrange some vehicles for commutes and emergencies. Identify some hospitals in the vicinity, too, and make sure they are willing to treat people of other nationalities if an emergency strikes!
Travel Arrangements: This is one thing we highly recommend outsourcing. It is doable when planning to go with a dozen people, but when you have 100 people to sort out visas and tickets for, it is a whole different story!
It is best to have an expert take care of it so that you can focus more on the other arrangements that are just as important (we can give you some references if you are looking for travel agents; let us know).
Now that we have done everything that is needed, one last thing remains. Setting expectations and boundaries.
Setting proper expectations is crucial to balance productivity and fun at the workation. The employees need to be mentally prepared about what to expect so that they can give their best. In the last part of this series, we will discuss some measures we took, and you can incorporate something similar, too.
