Have you ever seen Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining? (Stick with me, I promise I have a point).
Well, there’s a famous scene in which Jack Nicholson repeatedly types out a chilling message on his typewriter. “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”
While his character may be going crazy at that point, there’s still merit in the phrase he types out. If you work hard, you deserve to play hard, right?
This is where company events come in. And no, I’m not saying that you should rent out a haunted hotel in which to host your company events.
I’m saying that company events have a number more benefits to offer than we think. Some may think that company events are a waste of the company’s budget.
But just working alone without any play can make for a dull experience in the workplace. And this is why corporate events are a great way to accomplish several goals in one.
Below are some of the top reasons why you should host corporate events. Not only will you eliminate the risk of employees going Jack-Nicholson-crazy, but you’ll also boost their productivity, positivity, and motivation.
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#1. Improve company culture
Company culture can be many things. It can be the boss bringing in donuts to the office every Friday.
Or, it can be a company that posts family recipes on its blog that employees are encouraged to bring in. These are just small examples of the kind of culture that can exist in an office.
But a company event allows you to solidify the culture you want to create. Consider asking yourself the following questions:
- What does your company stand for?
- What are the core values that drive your company forward?
- How do you want your business to be perceived by customers and clients?
- What kind of brand are you hoping to create?
- What does success mean to your organization?
- How is your company set up to support the employee?
- Are you invested in the career of each employee present?
- What do you want folks to leave your event feeling?
- What strategies and skills have you learned from attending other events?
Companies need to be intentional with their employees. And a corporate event is a great way to solidify how you want to make your employees feel.
You might say that your core values are fun, productivity, positivity, and focus. But what if your office is the opposite of a productive, positive, and focused working environment?
Use corporate events as a way to carry out your values. And your employees will soon follow suit.
Validate your employees
There’s no question that employees are what make up a company. So it’s only fitting that hosting a company event should be in honor of those working there.
Let’s say your company has a huge focus on loyalty. Imbue that into your corporate event. Hiring a corporate entertainer to infuse laughter and fun might be just what the company needs to pull everyone together and build community.
You can do this by handing out awards of recognition to those deserving. Or, if your company has recently achieved a new milestone, offer all employees a fun new benefit.
Ultimately, businesses should make their employees feel valued. So any chance you get to impart your appreciation will also help you establish a meaningful company culture.
Additionally, recognition garners greater engagement among employees. It will keep them motivated and inspired to come up with new and innovative ideas.
It might seem silly to say that corporate events are able to accomplish such things. But it’s true.
Company events remind employees of the bigger picture. And it gets them all the more engaged to be on board with the rest of the team.
#2. Promote team-building
You might be in an industry with various categories of professional services. And sometimes, this means you don’t get the chance to collaborate with other workers in between.
But company events offer exactly that. Not only can employees from the same branch mingle with one another.
They can also reach out to other employees across the industry. A corporate event can foster strong connections and relationships.
And all you have to do is create an environment that will enable those relationships to happen. You could even invite certain clients to attend your company event.
That’s the joy of fostering company relationships. Events help to facilitate the union of everyone involved in the business.
Not just the ones in the office. So take advantage of the networking opportunities your corporate event can provide.
You may end up facilitating a relationship that boosts the team out of a slump. And it’s all because of you that those connections were made.
Bonus: How to Measure Employee Morale
Increase networking
So we’ve already talked about networking. But maybe you’re not quite sure how networking can benefit the business as a whole.
Well, companies that are particularly large might have a hard time getting their employees engaged. The organization could simply be too big for people to feel like they can connect.
When an employee feels alone, their productivity goes down. After all, it’s hard for them to come up with reasons to work if they don’t feel like their loyalty and career are being considered.
But a strong network reminds each person of their own importance. No longer will they feel like a simple cog in a machine.
They’ll feel like a crucial part of the team. And that is how networking gets folks engaged with one another.
Meeting folks across the industry at company events can also boost morale and motivation. You never know if there are certain employees who feel inspired to lead after talking with another supervisor.
So allow ample time at your corporate event for folks to mingle. You might have specific team-building exercises you were looking forward to hosting.
And you can still facilitate those fun activities and games to make for a positive and productive experience. But enable relationships to develop on their own.
In this way, a corporate event is really an investment in your employees. And these events also invest in the professional development of your business.
#3. Increase creativity
A normal day at the office might become old after a while. But a corporate event gets employees out of their natural habitat.
Changing things up like this is important for creativity. It can get the ideas flowing if you’ve been in a rut.
And it can improve collaboration overall as businesses come together. Employees tend to engage with only their office mates.
But there could be other professional colleagues that they’re missing out on. In building a network of employees and clients at your event, you’re also hosting a giant brainstorming session.
Here, employees can learn about the business from different team members. And their morale will naturally increase from being in a party-like environment.
You might even consider inviting a couple of choice customers to the event. And they could provide valuable feedback as to how your organization stands apart from other companies.
Just because you’re hosting a fun party doesn’t mean you can’t include a little work discussion. Just don’t go too far with it and become a party-pooper.
Boost brand awareness
Have you ever heard the phrase “Pics or it didn’t happen“? It’s millennial speak for “If it’s not on social media, you might as well be lying.”
You might think that a corporate event is solely for the purpose of boosting employee morale. And while that’s a big part of it, you also have the opportunity to boost brand awareness.
Companies that host corporate events often want to be seen. They might rent out a room in a swanky new hotel.
Or, they might keep business personal by going with a local restaurateur to cater. Either way you want your brand image to go, your event gives you the perfect photo opportunity to showcase your success.
So include merch at your company event. Or have a booth that describes what kind of services your company has to offer.
Your event might be open to customers looking to gather more info on your organization. And this is a great way to engage them in person at the event.
Social media is another great tool that you have at your disposal. You post pictures or blog posts about the upcoming event.
You can even offer virtual streaming of the event itself for clients and employees who can’t make it. This may seem like a lot of extra work.
But the importance of brand awareness and brand image cannot go underestimated these days. Choose to make the investment.
Advertise how well you treat your employees. Showcase what a positive environment you’re able to cultivate at your company.
Your event team can draw out post after post even after the event itself has finished. And then you’ll be left with digital evidence of why your company is great to do business with.
#4. Boost company morale
Normally, team members only see one another during business hours. And during those business hours, there’s a fair amount of stress going around.
But the benefits of hosting a company event include giving folks a chance to relax. Sure, it’s still a work event.
But it’s a great opportunity for folks to let their hair down. Both literally and metaphorically depending on your employees’ hair length.
Have you ever worked for a business where everyone was stressed at all times? And there was no chance to let off some steam?
If you have, then you likely didn’t put out your best work there. Nor did your colleagues at the time.
That’s because a company cannot function on stress alone. There needs to be a balance for employees.
Increase productivity
When morale is high, folks tend to be more motivated at work. It’s a known fact.
When the alarm goes off, they’re not reminded of all the reasons why they hate their job. No, they’re excited to get going and show up.
When employees dread coming into work, they’re likely going to be a bit sluggish. The time will drag on.
Nothing will go right. Everything seems pointless, etc.
And that kind of low morale is exactly what damages a company at its core. But with company events, employees have something to look forward to.
They can see the light at the end of the tunnel. And they have a better understanding of the company culture.
This kind of reassurance is crucial for a company’s success. Everyone wants to feel secure in their job.
And company events are a way of expressing that. You might be thinking, “But how can a single night make my employees feel motivated?”
Well, you can build up the anticipation beforehand. Drop hints on your blog posts about the theme of the event.
Or give them sneaky clues and reasons as to why they should show up. You can easily tease out the hype and give folks a chance to feel excited.
And with that kind of attitude, you’re able to lead a much more dedicated team. So lay thick the benefits of their attendance at your corporate event.
And remind them of the reasons why they work there. There’s no better way to let your employees know who you are than with events like these.
Raise the roof
Company events can be any number of things. They can be a party for employees to get together and network.
Or, they can be a chance for employees to connect with clients and customers alike. But ultimately, company events are meant to foster connection.
No one did it alone in the search for success. And those helping you along the way deserve an event that would knock their socks off.
Or, would give them a chance to put their feet up – your choice. But corporate events can lead to so many fun and exciting possibilities.
So think of it as an investment in your company’s future. Give folks the encouragement they need to move along.
Establish your company culture by walking the walk, not just talking the talk. And let these events be a reminder of who your company is at its core.
All work and no play make for a dull professional experience. So, spice things up with a company event that will leave other events with their jaws on the floor.
Keep Reading: Corporate Team Event Ideas to Build Relationships
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Adam Christing is a professional comedy magician, virtual MC, and the founder of CleanComedians.com. He is a member of the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood and a popular comedian for corporate events, magician, and virtual speaker.