Hosting an event for employees isn’t a straightforward task. Many will have attended office and corporate events before and some may be a little cynical towards them, which means you could be starting off on the back foot.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t smash it and host an event that everyone in the office will remember. Here are a few tips to get you started…
Get into their mindset
If your employees have been to office events before, you’ll need to give them something different. People always respond well to experiences and often crave it after a long week at the same desk. Try to get into their mindset and give them something that they wouldn’t expect. This could include hosting the event offsite in a unique location such as a museum. If you are hosting it at the office, tap into your supplier network and see what they can provide to transform the office space into a new and unique experience.
Consider a theme
Themed events are always a good idea, just don’t forget that all-important mindset of your team. They may relish a theme or shy away from it. You have to chose wisely. There’s no harm in testing the water first and sending a quick survey out to your team to understand their preference of theme. It makes sense to find out first.
Choose your team wisely
You’re not going to be able to do it on your own. You’ll need a team by your side and you’ll need the right people within it. You’ll likely need one person to really take ownership and handle all the details as well as others to help with various tasks before or on the day. Pick your helpers wisely.
Plan for all eventualities
Take the time to sit down with your team and mentally run through the event. You’ll need to consider all eventualities and logistics including office furniture, layout and scheduling for the day. It’s vital that you have plans in place to deal with whatever may arise.
Set a budget
Remember, you want it to be an event that the whole team will remember. But this doesn’t mean you have to go all out and set aside a huge budget. Before you plan anything, get a handle on what you can afford and set your specific amount. You can then plan within this. A smaller budget forces your hand into being more creative. And don’t forget to tap into your supplier network – you’ll be surprised what you can get for free.
Create a marketing plan
Yes it’s a work event, but you still need to market it in the best way possible. You’ll need to decide on the right approach and the most appropriate channels to get the word out to your employees and start to build a bit of hype around the event. This could include company social media, intranet, company wide emails or posters up around the office. Plan how you want to bill the event and how much info you want to give away before the day itself, and then get the word out there.
Get everything right and it will be an event your employees won’t forget in a long time.
