Thinking of hosting a team summer party?
We’ve spent all winter counting down the days until the sunshine lingers; it’s light by 7am and slowly but surely, the evenings are getting longer. Hurrah! It might only be March but picnics, pub gardens and golden balmy evenings are on the horizon and to be quite honest, we are buzzing about it.
So what are you doing for your office summer party? Are you the one that’s usually in charge of such an event? Then you’ll know how important it is - as well as how much time and effort it takes, especially if you want it to be a tongue-wagging success!
Well, you’ve stumbled across the right page because when it comes to planning a big ‘ol summer shindig, we know a thing or two. It’s super important to give back to your employees, so getting a date in the diary to show your appreciation is paramount. Why? Well sit back and let us tell you why a little soiree is good for business…
It boosts company morale
Employee retention, holding onto talent, making staff feel valued… this has seriously never been more vital. Whilst this needs to be considered on the daily, it’s quite amazing what a company celebration will do to boost positive feelings. Your employees don’t want to feel like they are just a cog in the corporate machine, they want to feel appreciated and when they do, they'll be more engaged and happier in the workplace. Trust us when we say it’s a win - win: this study also confirms what we already know.
Showcasing the future of the business
A celebration is the opportunity to show your employees that the business is doing well. When they experience a sense of security, this will leave staff feeling confident and happy. It’s also a great excuse to discuss how well the company is doing; discuss plans for the future and make sure all employees know they are part of it.
It creates a community spirit
If you work in HR, you’ll be well aware how important it is to build a community and create a team that is happy. Your day job is ensuring a pleasant office environment after all, but talks of a big work party really do help establish connections, especially in the build up - talks of where, and what is a great way to get staff engaging with each other. Why not plan a team building before some after-work drinks? There’s nothing like a positive, summer activity to help build relationships.
There’s more options!
During the summer months there are wayyy more opportunities to get everyone together. The longer, lighter days help put people in a good mood but there’s also more time to be flexible with dates (we all know how stressful it can be to choose the date for a Christmas party!) The better weather means outdoor events are a great shout - there’s nothing like our Scavenger Hunt in the sun!
It’s all about company culture
A good party means you have time and space to really promote the company culture; you might have words plastered round on posters at work, but how much attention do your employees really pay to that? An event is an opportunity to put those words and values into action and establish a company culture as something that you’re known for, which in turn could become a part of enticing new and retaining current employees.
Bridge the gap
Some workplaces might find that there can be a gap between leaders and employees, by offering a place and team building activities where those with authority can be seen in a more approachable light will really work wonders when it comes to the relationships and dynamic in the office. Yes authority still needs to remain, but when someone is easier to approach and there’s common ground, it can really make all the difference. So from CEO’s bringing their kids to the work picnic to the Head of Finance being asked to dress up for a game, it’s great to inject fun and shine light on people’s personalities outside their leadership roles.
Networking is key
If you’ve had an influx of new employees to the business, consider whether they have had a proper chance to socialise and meet the team outside of endless zoom chats or the hybrid ways of the new office environment. A good party is perfect to let new colleagues find their feet and get to know their new work pals in a much more relaxed setting.
An excuse to slot in some team building activities
Now obviously your epic team summer party is going to include good food and drinks, but it’s also a great chance to weave in some fun (and beneficial!) team games into the mix. So whether it’s our famous Scavenger Hunt, or our laugh-a-minute Ping Pong Challenge, we’ve got all the team building activities you need to build that essential part into your party.
Now you have all the reasons why throwing a team summer party is a good idea, it's time to get planning. No doubt after the global shift in the way we work, many other companies are having the same idea which means start early. Heck, start now! If you’re wondering how you even go about starting to plan this type of event, then why not start with our article on ‘How to plan a successful team building activity’ - it should push you in the right direction and get your party mood on!
Failing that, we’re at the other end of an email or phone and as party planning tends to be something we’re pretty decent at, we’ll sort it all out. So get in touch with us here at The Big Smoke Events and we’ll make sure your team summer party is a rip-roaring success!