Family. However you define it, family is at the crux of everything in life. And for those working in senior living, that goes double. For Sabal Strategy, our recent Greenville retreat brought home the impact and importance of family in a host of different ways. I’d like to share a few of those insights with you. Because whether we’re talking about biological families or found families, they’re the heart and soul of a meaningful life.
A Family Reunion
Like many brands, Sabal Strategy has a dispersed workforce. We’re located in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. We’ve gotten to know one another through video calls, quick visits between two or three of us, and working together at national and regional conferences. But until last week, we’ve never had everyone together in one place! That changed when we gathered for a 3-day retreat in Greenville, SC. Hugs, laughter, and non-stop conversations were the order of the day.
Yeah, That Greenville and Greer
Most companies tell you they foster a family-like atmosphere; we all know that’s more aspirational than reality. Forging strong bonds to create a family requires trust. It takes time. It means we share values, goals, and experiences. It takes mutual affection, connection, and the knowledge we can rely on one another for help if we need it. That’s why our three days together were so important. Time spent together meant we could forge those bonds, experiences, and deepen our mutual trust in one another.
Why Greenville, SC? Well, reasons one and two were because Kathleen and Lashaun live there! Reason three and four: AMP and The Wheelhouse Group are there, two of the best partner companies you could ask for. And reason five: Greenville is an amazing destination, known for its charming, tree-lined Main Street, and an outstanding food scene.
It Begins with Us
We began with the ultimate bonding experience: lunch and an afternoon of luxe spa experiences. From pampered toes to heavenly massages, The Altar Spa provided a serene space. We could break through our digital boundaries and literally embrace one another. Feeling renewed, we browsed the enticing shelves of M. Judson Bookstore before sharing Champagne and shortbread. Natalie found delightful treasures for her young sons.
Our first day culminated with dinner at one of the city’s finest steakhouses, Halls ChopHouse. Sharing a meal is essential to fostering emotional connections, and it creates a safe space for open and honest communication. Certainly our lively group relished both a great meal and delight in one another.
Smarter Data, Stronger Bonds
On Wednesday, we joined Steve, Beth, and Kurt from AMP at the historic Poinsett Club. The agenda included stimulating ideas and an excellent luncheon. The AMP team’s deep expertise in data and analysis provided a rich source for spirited discussions about new directions and tools to model the right audience for our clients. I’d love to tell you everything we talked about, but trust me, the wait will be worth it. We came away with an even deeper appreciation of everything the AMP team brings to our partnership.
And if you ever have the opportunity to dine at the Poinsett Club, dessert should be a must!
Sharks, Dinosaurs, & Data Tools
On Wednesday evening we met up with The Wheelhouse Group’s Jeff, Rebecca, and Karla for a little adult playtime. That meant a trip to Group Therapy. As you can see, we fell in love with the clever, movie-themed setting for mini golf. The shark and dinosaur holes were clear favorites. The day’s discussions with the AMP team stretched our minds and helped us to forge stronger intellectual bonds. The goofiness of mini golf with the WHG team helped us forge stronger emotional bonds with our partners and one another.
That playfulness extended into our Thursday meeting with The Wheelhouse Group. Their offices are in an historic, 100+ year old building in downtown Greer, SC. The camaraderie of the previous night broke the ice as we dived into a deep exploration of current pain points, wish lists, and exciting new tools their team is developing. Jeff, like Steve, is an ideas person. Throughout our time together, his mind was spinning out new solutions and tools to help us serve our clients more efficiently and with improved results. More than once we saw Rebecca and Karla grin as they recognized the start of something new to develop or solve.
Building our Family
In just 72 hours, more or less, we five formed deeper bonds within our group and with our partners. Serious discussions about powerful new models and tools were balanced with informal conversations over lunch and drinks. We took full advantage of the opportunity to get to know each other more completely as individuals. Some of us even kept our habit of daily walks, staying hydrated, and taking reams of notes.
Above all, we came away with a deeper understanding and respect for the strengths each of us brings to Sabal. We have a deeper appreciation for the depth of investment AMP and Wheelhouse bring to the table. They continue to strive to deliver the best data and tools to our clients. It’s no accident both Steve and Jeff, unprompted, speaking from their heart, said they’re not in business for the money. Their personal goal is to provide the best service possible.
More than Family
At the end of the day, amid hugs and laughter, I came away with a better understanding that being together is priceless. Sabal Strategy is a found family. But I’m not playing the role of a parent. Like Friends or Star Wars (great examples of the found family trope), each of us brings unique strengths to the group. As CEO, my role is to see possibilities, lead, and make the hard decisions so everyone succeeds. Natalie is our wizard, diving deep into analytics, the numbers, and the messiest of CRMs to bring order and unearth the lost gems. Angela is our scout, seeking out new pathways, and ushering new friends (aka clients) to our table as they benefit from our best-in-class data. Lashaun is our truthteller, charged with keeping the accounts and paying it forward. And Kathleen is our storyteller, weaving and sharing Sabal’s and our clients’ stories.
Together, we’re Sabal Strategy. And we look forward to stronger collaborations within our family and with your community. Because having the right data and understanding it makes all the difference when you need to find the right audience for your community.
