Five People, One Cabin, and a Lot of Strategic Planning
Earlier this month, our team at Koné Consulting did something we don't do nearly enough—we stepped away from our computers and spent three days together in a cabin in Hoodsport, WA.
As a woman-owned consulting firm, we're used to diving deep into other organizations' challenges. We help health and human services groups figure out where they are, where they want to go, and how to get there faster. But this July, it was time to turn that lens on ourselves.
Kayaks, Sea Otters, and Strategic Insights, oh my!
Our first full day together started early with kayaking. Pro tip: always check the tides first. Our intern had never been in a kayak before, but between the sea otters putting on a show and the local crabbers sharing stories, he got a taste of the Pacific Northwest experience.
There's something about being on the water that shifts your perspective. Maybe it's the rhythm of paddling, or maybe it's just being away from email notifications. Either way, we came back to shore ready to tackle some big questions about our future.
Alicia led us through a strategic planning session that afternoon. We mapped out how to make our client assessments even faster and more valuable. The big wins? We're rolling out ecocycle mapping to help clients visualize their project lifecycles, committing to express service for rapid assessments, and integrating lean training into everything we do.
The Power of Breaking Bread (and Roasting Marshmallows)
That evening, our colleague Ariana Wood joined us for dinner and the obligatory campfire marshmallow session. Because honestly, is it even a retreat without slightly burnt marshmallows and stories that get funnier as the night goes on?
We also squeezed in some creative time with fabric collages. Alicia has been taking a class that included the value of engaging one’s left and right brain at the same time. Now it was our turn to try it. Our artifacts will be a reminder of a day well spent with one another. And the food? Let's just say fresh steamed clams and local Mexican takeout hit differently when you're eating with your team around a wooden table instead of at your desk.
Why We Do This
Three days later, we headed back to our regular routines with clearer priorities and stronger connections. For a small team tackling complex social problems, these retreats aren't just nice-to-haves, they're how we stay sharp and remember why we do this work.
Because at the end of the day, meaningful change really does begin with people. And sometimes those people need to get in kayaks together to remember that.
Want to know more about how we help organizations create lasting change? Check us out here.