The One Where Our Slack Went Quiet
Lee Abraham
Last week, our Slack activity at Caster dropped by 50%. This could only mean one thing: it was our annual All Team Week, and we were all together. Not only were we in the same room, but we were also staying under the same roof, soaking up the beauty of fall in New England.
Being quiet online meant quite the opposite at the house. We made the most of our time together with plenty of witty banter, productive work sessions, loud belly laughs, and conversations about the future. And just like Ross trying to get his couch up the stairs, we talked a lot about how our industry is changing and when it might be time to PIVOT!
The One With All the Big Ideas
The State of Caster always sets the tone for the week, giving us a chance to reflect on where we've been and where we're headed. This year was especially meaningful as the torch was passed in Q1 from Kim Lancaster to Alex Crabb and Pete Girard. The motivation and excitement were flowing as easily as the wine that night, and the whole team was energized for what was ahead.
While we started the week focusing on Caster, the conversation inevitably turned to our clients and how we can better serve them in the coming year. One thing always remains the same: we feel incredibly lucky to work with the clients we do, and their innovation motivates us to stay at the top of our game.
From the successes and shortcomings of our new Caster website to tracking and reporting on AI visibility, traditional SEO practices that still work, and where to focus our efforts in social media and content, we covered a lot of ground. Tapping into each team member's expertise helped us brainstorm exciting new programs and ways to support our clients as they navigate the ever-changing landscapes of their industries.
The One Where We Took Teamwork to New Heights
While some things inevitably change, others remain the same; and that means we take our All Team outings and food very seriously.
When the crisp fall air started calling our names, we took our talents to the trees and headed to TreeTrails Adventures for a little adrenaline-filled fun. You can learn a lot about your coworkers when you're suspended high above the ground, and "I'll be there for you" takes on a whole new meaning when you're navigating obstacles and ziplines together.
We recovered with cider in all its glorious forms (slushies, hard cider, cider wine, and the classic) at B.F. Clyde's Cider Mill before dining on delicious sea-to-table fare at Oyster Club in downtown Mystic. You know we can't resist a recent Travel + Leisure recommendation.
And if that doesn't sound like a picture-perfect day with your coworkers, let a little impromptu karaoke serve as the cherry on top.
The One With All the Memories
The rest of our time at the house was spent simply enjoying each other's company. And although it's as cheesy as our charcuterie boards, we fall a little more in love with our team every year we do this.
The late-night chats, the client work blocks where we actually get to sit right next to our teammates, and the Caster's Favorite Things party are traditions we hope to continue for many years to come. For a team that spends most of the year collaborating through screens, there's something pretty special about getting to share the same space, both during the work day and long into the night.
The One Where We Can't Wait to Do It Again
The Slack messages will inevitably pick back up, especially as we head into the craziness of Q4, but the connections we strengthened will carry into our work for months to come.
Could we BE any more excited to start planning next year's retreat?
