| Most areas of expenditure in business are fairly | | | | to their preferred event type. Look for that meet |
| tightly regulated. We have purchase orders, approval | | | | different employees' requirements, like: |
| processes and stocktakes, as well as | | | | Different levels of physical fitness |
| pre-employment interviews and reference checks. So | | | | Differing pre-existing skills |
| it is strange that in some areas of business, | | | | Different social expectations - some may not |
| managers ignore Socrates' pearl of wisdom - "The | | | | drink alcohol, etc |
| unexamined expense is not worth incurring"! Ideas | | | | Different family commitments - some may not |
| are a common business expense that have little | | | | be able to attend corporate events ideas after |
| management planning, and are only rarely examined | | | | working hours because of childcare commitments, |
| to see if they achieved their goals. Today we check | | | | etc. |
| out the top 7 questions you need to ask about your | | | | Does it pose any psychological risk? |
| idea, to make sure that your expenses don't remain | | | | This is one of the most important questions to |
| unexamined! | | | | consider when shortlisting corporate events ideas. |
| Do I want to remedy, maintain or improve | | | | Think about whether your event idea: |
| performance? | | | | Encourages people to be treated equally and |
| This sounds like a silly question about your ideas... | | | | respected |
| everybody is looking to 'improve performance', after | | | | Has the potential to create humiliation or stir |
| all. The answer you are looking for here should tell | | | | anger |
| you where you think your team dynamic is sitting | | | | Will include everybody, or has the potential to |
| right now. Are there problems that need to be fixed? | | | | leave some people excluded |
| Is it going along okay, but could be better? Or would | | | | Won't expose fears of failure, fears of |
| you like to keep everything just how it is? | | | | incompetence |
| What is the activity designed to do? | | | | Won't require that workmates feel they have to |
| There are 3 main types of ideas, in terms of team | | | | 'expose' themselves unnecessarily. |
| building strategies. These include problem solving | | | | Is the timing, budget and venue convenient? |
| events, communication events, and pure fun events. | | | | A corporate event idea that feels like 'more trouble |
| The type of corporate event idea that you choose | | | | than it is worth' will be of little value to your |
| will depend on the type of change (or non-change!) | | | | organisation. Think about aspects like: |
| you want to achieve in your team. | | | | Timing: In relation to major projects and staff |
| Will the activity achieve the change you want? | | | | workload |
| Nobody can predict the future - but you should at | | | | Cost: Will the event take money away from an |
| least meet with other senior management to discuss | | | | investment or activity that staff see as more |
| the activity's potential for creating real change in the | | | | important? |
| workplace. Try to be realistic about what you expect | | | | Venue: Can people get there easily? Can you |
| your event to achieve, but by the same token don't | | | | provide transport? |
| fail to set goals for it. | | | | You'll need to consider both the logistical questions, |
| Will all the team members be happy with the event? | | | | the goals of your event, and the cost effectiveness |
| If you have a particularly large organization, it may be | | | | of any you consider if you want to be sure of |
| smarter to split people into different groups according | | | | actually getting benefit out of it! |