The Institute of Free Technology's high ROI retreats lie in putting people first

“When coming together regularly you keep the whole organization moving in the same direction.” - Corey Petty, Portfolio Manager, Institute of Free Technology

About The Institute of Free Technology

The Institute of Free Technology (IFT) is a mission-driven tech startup studio dedicated to building public goods safeguarding civil liberties in the digital age. Within IFT, Logos is a program focused on developing the decentralized web, laying the foundation for a freer internet that upholds fundamental freedoms. With over 220 Contributors based worldwide, the fully remote organization recently held a pivotal all-hands event, predominantly for Logos, involving around 110 contributors.

IMPACT ON TEAM DYNAMICS AND PRODUCTIVITY

The all-hands event had a profound impact on the team’s dynamics and productivity. Face-to-face interactions facilitated stronger bonds, improved communication, and enhanced collaboration among Contributors. Survey results reflected a high level of engagement, alignment with organizational goals, and meaningful connections formed during the event.

95%

Of respondents agreed they are now more engaged and aligned with their mission and values.

84%

of respondents agreed that the opportunity to collaborate in person at the all-hands helped resolve some issues or challenges they faced

100%

of respondents agreed that they gained valuable insights and had meaningful discussions regarding collaboration between different projects and service teams during the event.

96%

of respondents agreed they were able to establish new relationships and make new friends with other contributors during the all-hands.

“If you are planning an event, call OnsiteHub. If you are unsure about planning an event, call OnsiteHub. If you don’t think you need support from OnsiteHub, call OnsiteHub.”

Terry Mitchell Tobin

People Partner Consultant, Institute of Free Technology

TRANSFORMING TEAM DYNAMICS

For IFT, hosting an all-hands event was a natural decision to foster a sense of community and achieve key organizational goals. Despite being fully remote, the team recognizes the importance of personal connections in building trust, collaboration, and a positive working environment. It was a chance for the team to get together, bond, and make sure everyone was on the same page. “The main value here is people, take advantage of that above all else”, Corey explains the goals of the event.

The Institute of Free Technology on bicycle tour

PRIOR RETREAT PLANNING EXPERIENCE

Before partnering with OnsiteHub, IFT organized org-wide all-hands events internally, which required substantial effort, time, and resources. While successful in helping the team come together, these events became increasingly challenging to manage as the organization grew. Recognizing the need for outside expertise, IFT sought to streamline the planning process and ensure the event's success.

THE INSTITUTE OF FREE TECHNOLOGY TEAM BUILDING

MAIN STRUGGLES AND CHALLENGES

Planning previous retreats presented several challenges for IFT, including time constraints, lack of local expertise, absence of a dedicated event planner, limited local contacts, and financial considerations. Overcoming these hurdles while ensuring a seamless experience for all participants was paramount to the success of the event.

THE INSTITUTE OF FREE TECHNOLOGY IN ATHENS

DISCOVERING ONSITEHUB

IFT discovered OnsiteHub through a Google search and was impressed by our expertise and innovative approach to event planning. Following an introductory call with Milana, it became evident that OnsiteHub's services would be invaluable in orchestrating a successful all-hands event.

THE INSTITUTE OF FREE TECHNOLOGY ON BIKE TOUR

INITIAL CONCERNS AND EXPERIENCE WITH ONSITEHUB

Terry, the People ops partner for IFT, stumbled upon our website during a Google search and thought we were pretty interesting with our expertise in event planning and fresh ideas. Our proactive approach, excellent communication, and adaptability eased these concerns. We seamlessly integrated with the internal team throughout the planning process, providing invaluable support and expertise.

MOST VALUABLE ASPECT OF ONSITEHUB'S SERVICES

On multiple occasions, the People ops team expressed that partnership with us was the right thing to do. They were also surprised at how easygoing and professional our Milana and Iva were with them. As Terry said: "Their presence and expertise became integral to our team as they seamlessly embedded themselves into our operations and became trusted advisors."

FINAL THOUGHTS

Our team managed to nail every challenge making this event a blast for everyone, which is why Terry says: “It truly felt like OnsiteHub worked magic behind the scenes. Their ability to handle any situation that arose with grace and efficiency was nothing short of remarkable”.

“Milana and Iva, your commitment to excellence and your passion for your craft are truly commendable. It was a pleasure working with both of you, and I cannot thank you enough for your invaluable contributions to our all-hands success.”

Terry Mitchell Tobin

People Partner Consultant, Institute of Free Technology