| Your boss turns to you and says the most chilling | | | | restaurant, ask if they cater. Check with friends at |
| words any employee can hear (short of "you're | | | | other companies to see if they liked the food at their |
| fired"): "I want you to organize our corporate event | | | | last corporate event. If so, ask if you could get in |
| this year." Reason to panic? For some, maybe. | | | | touch with their event planner to get the name of |
| Planning a corporate event can be a stressful | | | | the caterer. |
| task--overwhelming, if you've never done it before. | | | | Hiring entertainment? Be sure to get professionals. |
| But it doesn't have to be. Here are seven tips for | | | | You may need to hire entertainment for your next |
| making the process easier. | | | | corporate event. If so, ask the entertainer to come |
| Know your budget. Setting your budget beforehand | | | | in for a live demonstration. Most entertainers will have |
| is essential in guiding your planning. This may sound | | | | videos to send, but you'll get a better idea of their |
| like obvious advice, but vague event budgets are | | | | skills and stage presence in person. |
| more common than you'd think in some office | | | | The entertainment you hire can make the difference |
| environments. Make sure you know exactly how | | | | between a memorable event and a torturous one. |
| much you expect to spend. Include all the details, | | | | Whenever possible, hire professionals instead of |
| such as food, entertainment, location rental, parking | | | | people who entertain part-time. It will make a big |
| fees, insurance, security, printing, and supplies. | | | | difference. |
| Know who's going. Is there anyone in the office with | | | | Know your theme. You should have an idea of your |
| an allergy to certain foods? Anyone who doesn't eat | | | | company's personality and what's appropriate for the |
| certain foods due to religious restrictions? Any | | | | group. A more conservative company will probably be |
| vegans or vegetarians? How about the disabled? Will | | | | expecting a speaker. A company with a more relaxed |
| workers be bringing spouses and kids, or is this an | | | | personality may be up for anything, from hypnotists |
| adults-only event? You'll need to know who's coming | | | | to rock musicians. If there are going to be kids at the |
| in order to find a location with the right access and | | | | event, make sure you hire performers who entertain |
| plan your menu. It's often best to pass around a | | | | the adults as well. This is crucial, as bored adults can |
| questionnaire that addresses these questions. | | | | bring a party down as quickly as bored children.` |
| Leave enough time. Many new event planners make | | | | Anticipate problems. Part of successful party and |
| the mistake of leaving too little time to plan an event. | | | | event planning is thinking of solutions to problems |
| The amount of time to leave depends on the event, | | | | before they happen. As part of the planning process, |
| but expect to take three months for most smaller | | | | write everything down that could possibly go wrong, |
| events and six months for an average one. Leaving | | | | from the likely to the outlandish. Then brainstorm |
| things until the last minute is a big reason why event | | | | solutions for each problem. If you're holding your |
| planning is so stressful for so many people. | | | | party in an outdoor location, weather can definitely |
| Ask for ideas. Your coworkers will definitely do less | | | | be an issue, so be sure to plan a rain location. Make |
| grumbling if they're involved in making the event a | | | | sure you have more seating than you think you need. |
| success. If possible, organize a committee of planners | | | | And always have at least one person on site who is |
| who answer to you. They can be an informal group | | | | certified in first aid. |
| in charge of generating ideas, polling other workers, | | | | Planning a corporate event doesn't have to be a |
| and getting a sense of what attendees would like to | | | | nightmare. It takes organization, anticipation skills, and |
| see. If not, pass out a questionnaire or set up a drop | | | | a little imagination to get it right. But these skills can |
| box for ideas. Some will probably be unrealistic, but | | | | be developed--especially if you give yourself enough |
| there are sure to be some great suggestions as well. | | | | time to plan. So take the time, write out a budget, |
| Scout for food. At the start of your event planning, | | | | and take a deep breath--your event is sure to be a |
| keep an eye out for good food. If you like a certain | | | | success. |