Are You Hosting an Employee Holiday Party?
Hosting a holiday party for your employees, and possibly their spouses and families, can be a nice way to say thank you for their commitment to the success of your business. Recently, the economy has caused many businesses to rethink the way they entertain, possibly cutting back on the type of party, who is invited, and where it is held.
A couple of years ago I began receiving calls from businesses wanting only limited help, such as finding an inexpensive location where they could provide their own food and play their own music. In years past, those businesses would have held their party at a restaurant or hotel. They would have engaged an event planner to make the arrangements, assist with decor, and to be on site during the party. Now, they prefer to pay the event planner for limited assistance and often choose not to have the planner on site during the party. They are having a caterer drop off food, ordering pizza or purchasing deli trays. Music is often provided on a laptop or an iPod rather than hiring a DJ or band. Some businesses are cutting back even further and having luncheons to which only employees are invited.
One local business decided that with so many unemployed and going without during the holidays, it would be imprudent to continue having a lavish party. Instead, they invited employees and spouses to a cocktail party. Before the party, employees were asked to suggest charitable organizations to which the company might make a donation. The chosen organizations were then announced at the cocktail party. Everyone was happy with the new plan, which will be continued in the future.
Another business invited their employees and families to attend a special screening of a family-friendly movie at a local theater. The company reserved an entire theater for the event and hosted a limited amount of concessions. It was an easy, family friendly way to entertain and required minimal planning.
If you want to entertain with dinner and dancing at a hotel or restaurant, you can cut costs by selecting a reasonably priced entree and by limiting or eliminating alcohol. You might also limit the length of the party. It doesn't need to continue until midnight or beyond with everyone getting sloshed to be a great party. Ask your employees to bring gifts for an animal shelter or another charity, such as Toys for Tots. Use your party to both entertain and give back.
Whatever you decide to do, your employees will cooperate if you tell them in advance your reasons for having the type of party you are planning. Everyone knows someone who is out of work, who may have lost their home, or is struggling in some other way, so they understand the need to be financially responsible. Many will thank you for your sensitivity to the community, not just to your business.
A couple of years ago I began receiving calls from businesses wanting only limited help, such as finding an inexpensive location where they could provide their own food and play their own music. In years past, those businesses would have held their party at a restaurant or hotel. They would have engaged an event planner to make the arrangements, assist with decor, and to be on site during the party. Now, they prefer to pay the event planner for limited assistance and often choose not to have the planner on site during the party. They are having a caterer drop off food, ordering pizza or purchasing deli trays. Music is often provided on a laptop or an iPod rather than hiring a DJ or band. Some businesses are cutting back even further and having luncheons to which only employees are invited.
One local business decided that with so many unemployed and going without during the holidays, it would be imprudent to continue having a lavish party. Instead, they invited employees and spouses to a cocktail party. Before the party, employees were asked to suggest charitable organizations to which the company might make a donation. The chosen organizations were then announced at the cocktail party. Everyone was happy with the new plan, which will be continued in the future.
Another business invited their employees and families to attend a special screening of a family-friendly movie at a local theater. The company reserved an entire theater for the event and hosted a limited amount of concessions. It was an easy, family friendly way to entertain and required minimal planning.
If you want to entertain with dinner and dancing at a hotel or restaurant, you can cut costs by selecting a reasonably priced entree and by limiting or eliminating alcohol. You might also limit the length of the party. It doesn't need to continue until midnight or beyond with everyone getting sloshed to be a great party. Ask your employees to bring gifts for an animal shelter or another charity, such as Toys for Tots. Use your party to both entertain and give back.
Whatever you decide to do, your employees will cooperate if you tell them in advance your reasons for having the type of party you are planning. Everyone knows someone who is out of work, who may have lost their home, or is struggling in some other way, so they understand the need to be financially responsible. Many will thank you for your sensitivity to the community, not just to your business.
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