Making your next company event something to remember may depend on finding the right speaker; is the goal to bring in someone educational, motivational or inspirational? Know your audience demographic to find a person they will be open to hearing from, as this can make or break your entire event.
What’s the Goal?
Before booking any type of speaker, first define the outcome or goal of the event; Is the purpose to provide training and education for your staff? Advance the message or mission of the company? Or perhaps this is an external audience; Are you seeking to build goodwill with your customers or employees?
Having clear and measurable goals will help you focus on who the audience is, messaging for the event and determining your theme. Additionally, there are some logistical considerations; What is your budget? What will the program format look like? From there, you can begin looking for the best type of speaker for your event.
Internal Options
Sometimes the best person to deliver your message is one of your own employees. Expertise on the topic, company knowledge and experience might be the deciding factors, but when using someone who does not present often, it’s also important to ensure the speaker is set up for success by giving advance notice, setting expectations and providing all of the necessary event information for them to properly prepare.
External Options
When looking for an external speaker, it’s always a good idea to start thinking back to any events you’ve attended in the past – could one of them be a good fit for this event? Check in with colleagues to see if anyone has a good connection or suggestion. Are there any great industry leaders that might be a draw? Or if the budget allows, reach out to a speakers agency for some expert advice!
Research Speakers
Do your research! If using an external speaker, watch videos of their previous talks and have a conversation with them and/or their agent. If you are looking for a motivational or inspirational speaker for your event, be sure to look beyond message and availability; Is the speaker promoting a book or promotional item that they will want to be able to sell at your event? Does the person have specific transportation, lodging or other requirements that your company will have to pay for? Finally, make sure you have a clear understanding about what the speaker is going to talk about to ensure it aligns with your event message or company’s vision.
The best speaker is always someone who will connect and relate to your audience and leave a lasting impression. Whatever kind of event your company is holding, Swank Events Boston can help with planning and execution – Contact us today!
These are all common reasons why your business may not hold an annual company-wide event. However, according to the Corporate Leadership Council, statistics around retaining employees show that employers who engage their employees are 87% more likely to retain them.
Here are three reasons that support hosting a company event:
Building Connections Outside of the Office
Most of your employees will communicate with each other only during business hours, in the office, about work-related items. Giving them an opportunity to connect outside of their cubicles can help build relationships that continues back at the office.
Bring Employees into the Circle
Finding out about business plans through a memo (or worse, in a press release or the news) can make employees feel left-out of important company initiatives. By holding an event to announce, explain and build excitement around what your leadership team is planning for the organization, will make employees feel more of a part of the effort and are more likely to support it.
Secondary Promotional Value
Photos and excerpts from talks given can be utilized in both external and internal materials to give the company and its messaging life beyond the event. Press releases, social media posts, newsletter and follow-up emails from leadership are all going to be seen by a larger audience, creating further interest in what you do next time.
Other costs (and savings) to consider when planning an event:
Employee Recruitment & Replacement Costs
A great onboarding process is the first step to a positive, transparent employer-employee relationship, and continuing to share your company’s journey with your employees through regular in-person communications is also important. A well-planned company event can help continue to engage your employees in the company culture and goals.
Saving on the Event
Holding a meaningful company event may have a price tag associated with it, but hiring an event professional can also help control costs and keep your budget on-track. “One of the most important things a Corporate Event Planner brings to the table is our industry connections and ability to negotiate with vendors on price. I know what venues offer flexible pricing AND great amenities so I can help clients get the best packages.” says Kristin Healy, Owner and Creative Director of Swank Events. “Professional Event Planners also coordinate all of the logistics and book any necessary vendors, in addition to making sure everything goes smoothly so your staff is able to focus on their day to day responsibilities.”
Remember to contact Swank Events for your company’s next meeting, party or outing to make it a great and unique experience for your employees!
