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Business managers spend most of the time thinking about achieving their goals and improving their productivity. Those goals can be accomplished only if their employees are shown respect and appreciation for their efforts. This can be done in many ways, but throwing a corporate party is one of the most effective ones. Nonetheless, the process of organizing such an entertainment event demands special attention and planning. Therefore, you should have a look at the following guidelines to make everything work perfectly.
How many times a year?
The majority of contemporary companies have parties at the end of the year. Those Christmas or New Year celebrations are something that goes without saying. Their employees expect such parties and they aren’t meant to emphasize the importance of any business achievements.
This is why a “reward party” needs to contain an element of surprise. For instance, treating your employees to a post-summer-vacation gathering will both strengthen the social bonds in the company and inspire them to work hard.
In addition, special company brunches or team-building days should be held every time an employee or a team closes a profitable business deal for the company.
Organization assignments
It’s the most important stage in party planning, since those preparations will set the course for the forthcoming event. Here you can go with several solutions. The choice you make will depend on the size of your company and the staff capacity.
- Team leaders plan the party – in large companies, managers won’t have time to organize parties. Also, they don’t know the employees that well. Because of that, you can designate the team leaders to form a special party-preparing department. Hold a meeting with them, set the budget limitation and let them do that part(y).
- An employee questionnaire – the team leaders hand out a questionnaire with the questions about the party. The options chosen by the majority of employees should dominate the party. And be democratic here – if they want a Garth Brooks cover band, fulfill their wishes.
- A professional planner –larger companies will find this option more convenient than in-house planning. You can still do the part with the questionnaire, so as to direct the planner towards the desired party. Also, analyze these tips beforehand and learn how to make a reasonable deal with the planner.
Consider different settings
No matter if your own employees will be in charge of planning or you’re going to go with a party professional, the process of venue choosing requires the participation of the business manager or owner. The setting that will host your celebration needs to leave an impression of a classy venue, organized and decorated with style. So, what you need to do is consider various venues to be able to make a thorough analysis of their perks and flaws. That dream-come-true corporate function venue that you need has to offer a professional ambience, but at the same time serve as a great spot for relaxation.
Moreover, check their safety gear and regulations, such as the fire distinguishers, the ventilation systems and other features, to ensure that your party is held in a risk-free environment.
Mind the families
A startup owner hiring younger workers in their 20s doesn’t have to bother with this point, but larger companies with a wide age range of employees should make their parties family-friendly events. Some people feel neglected when their spouses go to business parties. You surely don’t want your workers to have an argument which will ruin their impression of the party, but to have a great time and find more motivation to work afterwards.
For all those reasons, organizers of office parties should inform their employees that they can bring their partners. As for the partners, they should follow some etiquette rules at the event. Read more about it here.
Nevertheless, while spouses and long-term partners are welcome to parties, think twice before bringing a date. Just remember what Kim Basinger did to Bruce Willis on a business blind date in the eponymous movie and you will play that move carefully.
Entertainment options
When it comes to entertainment features for office parties, you’re spoiled for choice, but this can also spoil the party, too. If you pack that night with too much invasive entertainment, it will tire out your employees and turn the party into a boring sit-down. To avoid that outcome, take a moderate approach to those features. There should be a band, of course, but combine it with a DJ. That way you will make a music compromise for different generations. Also, ask the band politely to keep the volume down. The employees should have a chance to talk and create stronger social bonds.
As for the stand-up and roast options, it would be wiser to skip them, since those performers can be pretty offensive, which might insult some of the workers.
If the party takes any of the extreme directions, it might end up as a failure. So, it’s vital to limit the number of free drinks per person. People drink less when they have to pay for their drinks. Also, ensure that there’s enough food. All those features should keep your office party on a civilized but entertaining level, where everybody will have great time and, more importantly, get motivation to be even more committed to their work tasks and the company as a whole.
About the Author
My name is Alex Williams, born and raised in beautiful Sydney. I am a journalism graduate, and a rookie blogger trying to find my luck. Blogs are the perfect opportunity for presenting yourself to wider audience, getting the chance to showcase my expertise and receiving recognition. I am a regular contributor at BizzmarkBlog.
