When did you last have a proper conversation with a colleague — not a quick online message or a five-minute catch-up between sessions, but a real, sit-down, what-are-we-actually-doing-here conversation?
For the Tech Educators team, that moment came this April, when we stepped away from our screens for our annual, in-person Strategy Week. Four days, the whole team, one big house and a lot of conversations.
Getting everyone in the same room
With a team based in Norwich and others located across the UK, we don't often get to be in the same place at the same time. It's easy to stay in our day-to-day working world and lose sight of the bigger picture.
Strategy Week is our chance to step back. To talk openly about where we are, where we're going and what we need to do to get there — together. By removing ourselves from the day-to-day routine, we created space to think, to listen, to challenge and to generate new ideas.
Big questions, honest conversations
Four years ago Tech Educators started as a tech start-up, providing online Software Development bootcamps. Since then we have expanded into Digital Innovation, AI skills, Digital Marketing and Leadership & Management.
That growth has been fast and exciting. We've created new opportunities through hackathons, inspired young people and championed accessible tech education — practical, relevant, jargon-free learning that opens doors.
But growth also demands reflection.
Strategy Week gives us the time to pause and move forward with clarity. This year, we focused on some fundamental questions:
- Who are we as a business
- What do we believe in — our vision, mission and values
- What does the future of Tech Educators look like for our learners and stakeholders
These aren't easy questions. They challenge us to think deeply and honestly, as individuals and as a team.
Through a mix of full-team discussions and smaller breakout sessions, everyone had the opportunity to contribute. Different roles, experiences and perspectives all played a part in shaping the conversation.
"As a team member based in Nottingham, spending time together with the wider team out of our regular schedule is invaluable for clarity, collaboration and progress. We all bring different knowledge, thoughtfulness and experience to Tech Educators every day, so having time to reflect, celebrate and recognise our achievements really matters.
As a fast-growing business, it's important that we stay grounded in our direction and future. It also gives me the opportunity to reflect on what I do in my role and what could be adapted to ensure that it continues to drive impact and positivity across the business."
— Frankie Shrieves, Data and AI Course Lead
More than just strategy
A Strategy Week only works if the team is energised.
Morning mindfulness, cooking together, evening quizzes and time spent in the countryside were just as important as the formal sessions. It's easy to underestimate how much this matters — but it's often where the strongest connections are built.
Back to the day-to-day ... but different
By the end of the week, we had more than a to-do list. We had clarity on where we're going as a business and a stronger sense of what makes Tech Educators what it is — the people, the conversations and a shared belief that what we are building really matters.
The sessions, the breakouts, and yes, even the cooking have a way of reminding you why you do what you do.
Want to be part of a team like this?
We're always growing. If you're curious about life at Tech Educators, we'd love to hear from you. Find out more about who we are and what we do, or take a look at our courses to see where a career in tech could take you.
Rebecca Harris
Rebecca is our Commercial Marketing Lead, with over 15 years of experience driving brand growth, digital performance and customer acquisition across both B2B and B2C sectors, including retail, travel, construction and the security sector. Rebecca is a hands-on marketing leader with responsibility for both strategy and day-to-day execution across the full marketing funnel.
