3 Plans for Corporate Events That Don't Suck

Most people roll their eyes when being told about “corporate events,” especially if they seem rote, like an awards show at the end of each year. Moreover, if you’re not careful, the idea of “building team cohesion” or other strict language like that can make the change of pace feel tiresome. People want to feel that while the investment is obviously an investment in the business too, it’s also a vote of trust in them an their development or at least enjoyment.

Perhaps you’ve had success with corporate events in the past. But it’s important to keep them dynamic and attributed to the needs of the moment. It’s also best to know when to absolutely plan them for development, or when you’re doing so for enjoyment. Both can improve upon your overall staff effectiveness, but how you go about it will determine the ultimate result.

In this post, then, we’ll discuss how and why to plan a corporate event that doesn’t suck. It may take some time to achieve it, but with care and focus, you’ll get there:

Consider Team Taste

An event can be a refresher for any team, so think about what your staff would benefit from most at this moment, not just in general terms. An obvious example is that if everyone's been grinding through a tough seasonal period, they probably want to unwind and have fun without any pressure. On the other hand, if you've got new hires who haven't bonded with the rest of the group yet, something more interactive makes sense, because you have to care for your people.

You can get a feel for this through general conversations or a quick survey. For instance, an escape room can work well for groups who need to collaborate in a low-stakes environment while having a good time, and it might be ten times better than any tired speech about community cohesion or synergizing results. Do your best to match the mood of the office.

Give People a Say in What Happens

It’s fine to include your team in the planning process so they feel like it's something they're part of. You could ask for suggestions or let people vote between a few options you've narrowed down through a few discussions. It’ll at least begin showing them their opinions matter and you're not just checking a box on a corporate calendar, which some might suspect otherwise.

Staff are more likely to show up to optional events, or to mandatory events with some more enthusiasm if they had a hand in choosing the event. At the very least, it's also a good way to avoid planning something that half your team has no interest in.

Make It About Connection, Not Performance

Of course, any work event is still in a work context, which means people aren’t going to truly let loose, and perhaps that’s a good thing. That said, they shouldn’t feel like they’re being watched or tested, because if your event feels like another work task where someone's keeping score, it defeats the whole purpose of learning and settling in with one another, even if it’s a convention or official event they’re going to as representatives of the company.

In other words, it’s fine to have goals and standards, but try not to overly micromanage if you can help it.

With this advice, we hope you can avoid poor corporate events..