What happens in Cairns, stays...

Okay. We're back from "The Edge" retreat for entrepreneurs which we hosted in sunny Cairns in Queensland, Australia 🇦🇺. 

Earlier this year, we surveyed our network of business owners and it was evident that people were yearning for immersive networking and learning while enjoying a 'work-holiday' somewhere else.

We made it happen and took a calculated risk with a new event that brought fresh content as a conversation starter centred around a bold topic such as exponential growth.

"What will it take for your business to grow exponentially in the months and years ahead?"

"Who do you have to become as a leader?"

Questions like these kept us busy...

Instead of the retreat being set up as a seminar or conference, we learned that people value peer-to-peer learning and a safe environment with robust debates in which fellow entrepreneurs challenge each other and bounce ideas of each other.

So my role became that of facilitator and fellow participant. (thank you, guys!)

I have to confess that it also got me out of my comfort zone!

You see, providing insights into your aspirations and plans requires a high level of vulnerability and willingness to explore different avenues to emerge with a stronger value proposition and approach.

The good news is that everything was respectful and well meant. In fact, a beautiful camaraderie ensued over the course of 4 days between all participants... which is unique.

Apart from spending a decent amount of time debating and making notes in Boardroom 2 of the impressive Pullman Cairns International hotel, there were ample moments to refresh and energise. 

Even though people could have gone off doing things on their own, participants choose each other's company mostly - an excellent indicator of a successful retreat.

One of the highlights being the deluxe day trip to the Great Barrier Reef to explore the pristine submarine life on a fast boat. We snorkelled and scuba dived on two different reefs and had lunch in the Captains lodge. 

It got a bit bumpy on the way back. Thank God for the motion sickness tablets and the horizon to make people feel at ease!

What are the lessons learned from this experience?

• Going away to immerse oneself in robust, meaningful debates with peers expands one's vision
• It alerts business owners to blind spots that might hold them back
• The value comes from new insights and new relationships that form
• People thoroughly enjoy the combination of work and play over the course of 4 days
• Even though we missed our families, it was rewarding to join them afterwards and enjoy some downtime together during the school holidays
• One of my favourites: it's nice to be in a tropical 😎 environment while it's cold at home
• Last but not least: when people come out differently than the way they arrived, their businesses thrive.

About that last point: one business owner specifically said that one of the game changers will make him easily a million dollars on the short term...

Where to from here?

Given the exceptional experience and positive feedback, we are preparing for next year's retreat. This time... we're headed to the enchanting Fiji! 🏝 🏄‍♂️ 🍹 

If you own and operate an existing business and you are looking for personal and business growth by doing things differently, drop an email titled "The Edge" to [email protected] and we'll be in touch with you.