Resounding yes! It doesn't matter if it is just the partners or the partners and key people or the entire firm, taking time once a year to refocus on the vision of the firm and the goals to be reviewed and determined takes a firm flat in its growth to forward motion. Without a focused time at a focused location without interference of routine daily matters your brain simply can't shut down long enough to think about vision and planning.

Retreats do not need to be expensive. Do I think it is worth hiring a facilitator. I do for only one reason: If you are fighting time to have the retreat you probably don't have the time to make it a good retreat. But it can be done with in-house staff. The other thing a facilitator brings to the retreat is an objective third party view that keeps everyone focused down the road not on their own objectives.

Suggestions:

1. Do not hold it at your firm. Find some place way from the firm. I prefer an out-of-town retreat but a local hotel is fine.
2. Who comes to retreats. It can be many things based on who is attending. Partners would look at where they want to go and the historial data that shows why they not getting there. Budget matters and staffing for the forthcoming year might occur. If you include key people then be prepared to decide what information comes out. If it is entire firm then consider having two retreats running side-by-side with a come to-gether at the end. Each group focusing on that which they have the power to change. Know this. If your people buy into your vision they will help you go forward.
3. What is the purpose of your retreat. There should be a clear defined objective. Good firms hold them every year with a theme based upon their past year plus the vision down the road. We love our 'Dream, Believe, Dare, Do' retreats because they focus on looking at a vision for the firm and creating a plan to move the firm towards its vision.
4. Don't have money? Trust me if you have a good retreat you will make up the cost of the retreat in an increase in the firm's revenue. Forward motion..any change for that matter, always impacts increased revenue.

Don't let another year go by! And if you are just one person with one staff, then go off by yourself for 2 days and dream, believe, dare and remember the most important part..make sure you 'do' that which you plan!