How TaskRabbit outsourced in-person collaboration for 200 employees using Codi Offsites
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Story Highlights
- 5 teams across 3 cities experienced a Codi-led offsite
- Consistent standard of event and space across cities and teams
- Offsite events launched using less time and costs than before
- Greater employee satisfaction and workplace efficiency
THE CHALLENGE
Reimagining the role of the office
TaskRabbit wanted to host one offsite per month to bring their remote teams together. But the difficulties of finding a suitable space and planning offsite logistics got in the way of focusing on what mattered: culture building and improving employee engagement.
THE SOLUTION
Organizing offsites with limited resources
TaskRabbit leveraged Codi Offsites as a one-stop shop for their entire North American team-building activities. Codi helped TaskRabbit prepare for each offsite by sourcing locations, customizing floor plans and setting up the venue, before providing IT support, catering and concierge staff on the day.
THE OUTCOME
Happier teams through in-person collaboration
“Allowing flexibility while providing opportunities to meet in person creates happier, stronger teams.”
Jamie O’Malley
EA to the CEO
Outsourcing offsites for 200 employees across 5 teams
Before the pandemic, TaskRabbit had four corporate hubs in San Francisco, Austin, New York, and London. However, like many companies, the COVID-19 pandemic changed how TaskRabbit and its employees felt about remote work.
Leadership surveyed their team and found that the majority of employees wanted flexible work schedules. Despite the consensus to stay remote, many also highlighted the desire to maintain opportunities for purposeful, face-to-face collaboration; whether that entailed workshops, fostering team development, or attending leadership meetings.
Based on the survey findings, TaskRabbit closed their offices and began offering week-long ‘offsites’ (referred to internally as 'Team Weeks') once a month.
TaskRabbit had a few essential criteria to foster a collaborative and inclusive environment for employees, though finding spaces that met these standards took a lot of work. According to Ania Smith, CEO of TaskRabbit, "it was hard to find the type of space we wanted consistently across cities." In addition to the baseline criteria, TaskRabbit needed to arrange catering, IT integration, and setup, all within a set timeframe. They spent hours researching spaces and going back-and-forth with venue owners before discovering Codi Offsites.
The Codi team spent time understanding TaskRabbit’s unique needs and, according to Jamie O'Malley, Executive Assistant to the CEO, provided a “one-stop solution,” that offered “more amenities, cost transparency, and layout flexibility” than any other option.
Codi helped TaskRabbit prepare for each offsite by:
- Sourcing locations
- Customizing layouts for each team’s size
- Planning with the knowledgeable support staff
- Providing gourmet coffee and snacks, venue setup, and IT support
With logistics taken care of and a set timeline for activation, TaskRabbit was able to focus solely on running successful team building activities. By outsourcing this logistical burden, TaskRabbit also reported saving time and resources that they would have otherwise used for event planning.
TaskRabbit hosted eight successful offsites in Austin and San Francisco from May to November 2022, with over 200 employees across more than five teams flying in to collaborate with their colleagues. "Feedback from employees about Codi has been positive, with teams leveraging each space for their needs," said O'Malley.
TaskRabbit will continue conducting surveys and tailor its approach as needed. For now, "we will continue to host Team Weeks — one city per month" said O'Malley. "Allowing this flexibility, while providing opportunities to meet in person, creates happier, stronger teams."
INDUSTRY
Technology, Marketplace
LOCATION
Hubs in San Francisco, Austin, NYC, and London
EMPLOYEES
300–500
WORKPLACE STRATEGY
Remote-first as of May 2022