I’m sitting in the scenic woods of Vermont, a few hours before the first team offsite for Aptitude Research Partners. We are a small team, but mighty. We’ve been told we “punch above our weight” which I take as a huge compliment. But like any team or business, we often get so busy that it gets hard to see the forest for the trees. And even though we all live in the same general area, we don’t get to spend that much time together. Without a central office, we mostly see each other when we are with clients or on the road. So, taking a moment to connect is even more important. Which is why we’re taking the next two days as a working off-site.

We’ve all been to those corporate off-sites where we meet about the meeting, plan about the plan, everyone feels happy and has some drinks and self-congratulatory pats on the back, and nothing really gets done. We’re trying to do things a little different. We are mixing strategic discussion with actual work. We have actual deliverables coming out of each segment. And some important decisions to be made through extended conversation that you only get in circumstances like these. Of course, there is plenty of champagne chilling as well. We don’t want to give up everything about the traditional off-site.

2016 was an incredible year for Aptitude. We are blessed to work with some amazing clients – amazing as HR technologists, and as people too. We are fortunate enough to have a growing business. And we’re lucky to be busy enough that we need to take time out to plan. So, we’re going to spend the next few days thinking about all of you. How can we help you build better products, create better processes, and unleash the potential of our workforce? What information can we help you find? How can we share our insights and information with you in more meaningful and productive ways? And some time thinking about us. How can we be more efficient, more effective, and continue to grow as individuals, professionals, and an organization?

I have learned an incredible amount in my admittedly brief time running this company. But what I have learned most is that I absolutely love this job, I’m incredibly proud and lucky to work with the people I do, and that we can do so much more to help this amazing community. So, if we are a bit slow returning emails or phone calls in the next few days, you know why. But we promise come back to you with more than ideas. We promise to come back refreshed, renewed, and with great outcomes to share.

Got an idea we should be thinking about? Email me anytime at [email protected]