How many of us dread the Company Holiday Party? Typically when we think of our Company parties, images of boredom, co-workers 'kissing up' to their supervisors and managers and of course, forced fun all come to mind. If none of this sounds like fun to you, rest assured, you're not alone; statistically speaking about 68% of employed individuals polled responded that they do not look forward to or even enjoy certain aspects of eventful situations.
For those of you with the dubious task of planning such events, please read on... The following summarizes interviews conducted with a variety of working professionals and their opinions of such fun & frolic.
Plan in advance and communicate the details - The best way to get people to attend is to announce the date early and tell them what they need to know. If your party is formal and guests are expected to dress up, let them know. Not every attendee understands the dress code for your location, based on the site or the time of day. Guests are far more likely to enjoy themselves when they are comfortable with their surroundings.
Avoid doing too much - Focus on one key aspect and let the rest of the event follow the key portion of your event. If you plan a dinner at an amusement park, you should assume most employees will want to participate in the activities of the park. Keep meals, presentations, etc... as short as possible to allow your guests to spend more time in the park. Avoid the temptation to continually add stuff to your event as you get closer to the date; this usually results in confused guests and frustration among those responsible for facilitating the event.
Establish the Budget Up-Front - It's always easiest to plan an event when you have a maximum $ amount to work with from inception. Once the budget is set you can confidently plan your event. I also recommend working with the event coordinator at your location and letting them know your 'ballpark' budget. Typically I advise the coordinator at the site my budget is about 60% of what it really is. The other 40% becomes 'slush' money to work with, thus ensuring the project is completed within the established budget. This is, of course, a matter of preference.
Be Considerate of Your Guests - If you've always wanted to plan an elegant dinner party, but your co-workers are uncomfortable in a stuffy environment, you should consider other options. If your guests feel out of place, no one has fun and you'll probably hear about it for the next year. For small companies this is easy, but once you reach a middle range of employees or if you have an extremely diverse group, this requires a lot of preplanning.
Interact with each other, even if employees bring guests - Your co-workers will remember having fun at the party if it is a lively event, even if they don't remember every one's name who attended. If you have the budget that allows for a party pro, even if it's a facilitator who understands the dynamic of your group, take advantage of this and ask them for suggestions. Chances are the party pro you work with has seen hundreds of parties, both good and bad and they usually know what works and what doesn't.
Follow these keys points and enjoy your party... Remember the best events are those where the host is relaxed and friendly, because they planned the details ahead of time and are able to be present at the company party!
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