Scouts top tips on getting it right for your staff.
Oh yes, it’s that time of year again! If you are in charge of either organizing or paying for your office Christmas party, please find below some suggestions and tips to ensure you are hailed as a success!
- See it as a staff reward
People work hard all year and they want to be able to celebrate and let their hair down. The Christmas party is seen as an annual occasion to do this, and although it is not necessarily a mandatory, it is seen as an under-performing and negative year if even a small party is not organized. Not every company can offer bonuses to their staff but this is an ideal way of saying a thank you for their hard work.
- It’s all about the venue
You don’t have to go crazy and lavish to have the makings of a great party but do think wisely about the exact venue you choose. There are mixed opinions about whether you have the party at your offices or choose a different setting. Personally I am not sure how special it feels in your own office environment and even if you go next door to the pub, there is an instant change of atmosphere. The important thing is to go for somewhere your staff are going to feel comfortable and are made to feel special.
- Use your imagination
Even if it is a small team, perhaps have a basic theme that people can get excited about, give them a fun little gift to remember the party or make an effort with the entertainment. You don’t have to spend a fortune to get creative but a little effort will not go un-noticed.
- Alcohol and food
Always a controversial one – do you provide enough alcohol for everyone to drown in it or pick up the tab for a couple of rounds of drinks? It will depend on your team to a certain extent and if they are big drinkers, but pretty much anything to do with Creative Agency world and this is all they are interested in! Please do provide food though – this ensures people at least have something to line their stomachs!
- Make sure everyone gets home safely
As managers, you have a responsibility to your staff to ensure not only everyone gets there OK but can get home. It is all very well bussing the whole team to a far flung mystical place but if they want to leave at different times in the evening, then ensure this is catered for. Unless you are providing overnight accommodation then consider a location near to where transport is safe, plentiful and easy even late at night.
- Act like a boss should
This is a particularly tricky one – you want to have fun with the staff and enjoy the event yourself but at the same time, depending on how you are viewed by your staff, you need to allow them time to fully let their hair down, and this may mean taking your leave earlier than everyone else. Make sure the bar tab is taken care of, you have spoken to everyone (even if it is briefly), the speech is done, awards handed out – then leave on a high. You can catch up on the evenings gossip in the morning, don’t end up being the gossip 😉
Have fun at your Christmas party and Scout HQ will be reporting on how ours goes shortly!
Rebecca x
