by Kristin Healy | Sep 12, 2023 | blog
Hosting a holiday party for employees can bring several benefits to a company’s culture and overall work environment. Here are some reasons why a company should consider hosting a holiday party:
1. Boosting morale and motivation:
A holiday party provides an opportunity for employees to unwind, relax, and celebrate together. It can boost morale and create a positive atmosphere, fostering a sense of appreciation and motivation among employees. It shows that the company values its employees’ hard work and wants to reward them with a festive event.
2. Enhancing camaraderie and team building:
Holiday parties encourage employees from different departments or teams to interact and socialize in a more relaxed setting. It can facilitate relationship building and strengthen bonds among colleagues, promoting better collaboration and teamwork in the workplace. Improved relationships can lead to increased productivity and a more cohesive work environment.
3. Recognizing and appreciating employees:
A holiday party is an opportunity for management to express gratitude and appreciation for their employees’ contributions throughout the year. Public recognition, awards, or speeches can make employees feel valued and recognized for their hard work. This recognition can boost employee loyalty, satisfaction, and engagement.
4. Encouraging work-life balance:
Hosting a holiday party demonstrates that the company recognizes the importance of work-life balance. It allows employees to take a break from their usual work responsibilities and enjoy a festive occasion. This can help reduce stress levels, improve overall well-being, and foster a positive work-life balance, leading to increased job satisfaction and employee retention.
5. Promoting a positive company culture:
A holiday party is an opportunity to reinforce and promote the company’s values and culture. By organizing a fun and inclusive event, the company can showcase its commitment to a positive work environment, employee happiness, and work-life integration. This can contribute to a stronger company culture and help attract and retain top talent.
6. Encouraging employee engagement:
A holiday party can provide a platform for employees to actively participate and engage in various activities. Whether it’s games, contests, or team-building exercises, these interactive elements can create a sense of involvement and make employees feel more connected to their colleagues and the company as a whole.
7. Improving employee satisfaction and retention:
A well-executed holiday party can contribute to overall employee satisfaction and retention rates. When employees feel appreciated, enjoy positive relationships with their colleagues, and experience a sense of belonging within the organization, they are more likely to stay with the company for the long term. This can reduce turnover costs and ensure continuity in the workforce.
It’s important to note that while holiday parties can be a great way to enhance company culture, it’s crucial to plan the event with inclusivity and diversity in mind, ensuring that all employees feel respected, comfortable, and valued.
What are you waiting for? Start planning your Holiday Party with Swank Events today!
by Kristin Healy | Mar 16, 2023 | blog
Caring about the Environment does not need to be a hassle. Making a few environmentally conscious decisions can make a huge difference. When planning your next event, there are many things to take into account including venue selection, transportation, food and beverage, and technology. Here are three ways to “go green” and make your next event sustainable!
1. Reduce Paper Usage
We are living in a digital world, and while planning events we can utilize it to our full advantage. Using online programs can help not only the environment but also help track and make data-driven decisions. Create digital invitations, utilize social media for marketing, create an event website, and send follow-up emails and surveys via email after your event. Embrace the digital world and stay paperless!
2. Plan for Proper Waste Disposal
Waste management should not be a forgotten step in your event planning process. The typical types of waste to plan for are:
- Organic waste: food leftovers, beverages, biodegradable decor (flowers)
- General waste: plastics, balloon remanence, single-use cups and plates, napkins
- Recyclable waste: paper waste, cans, glass, cardboard
Setting up a proper waste disposal system can make a huge sustainable difference. Have proper bins as well as signage for each bin. This can be a great way to reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfills from an event.
3. Reduce your Event’s Carbon Footprint
There is a lot of travel involved in attending an event. This increases the amount of carbon dioxide being emitted into the atmosphere. Reduce this by creating a transportation plan!
- Group Transportation Options- if guests are staying at the same hotel organize a shared shuttle system. Shuttle multiple people to your event rather than having them individually drive to the venue.
- Venue Selection- choose a location that is a short commute for your attendees or where they will have easily accessible public transportation.
Sustainable event planning is making the conscious decision to reduce the environmental impact of your event. With these three steps you can minimize the environmental effects of your next event!
by Kristin Healy | Mar 20, 2017 | blog
Corporate events are a wonderful opportunity for employers to show their appreciation for all that their employees do, but they’re made infinitely better – for the staff at least – by the presence of some fun corporate swag. For most companies, corporate events only come around once, maybe twice a year, so it’s a fitting opportunity to give your workers a little something special as a token of appreciation.
Below we’ve compiled a list of 5 fun corporate event swag ideas, that run the gamut from practical to cutting edge, and everything in between.
1. Nicer Branded Attire
Most companies these days have branded gear for their employees to wear, but it’s often the budget-type t-shirts that are cool looking, but not the most durable or long-lasting. Ordering brand name items – say a heavier embroidered fleece if you’re in a cooler climate, or a higher-end zip-up trainer says that you put some thought, and cash, behind the gift. As a company you still get an opportunity for some “free” advertising, but your employees are much more likely to wear it, and love it.
2. Portable Make-Your-Own Cocktails
This one only applies to companies that don’t view a casual cocktail as something taboo, but these days it seems that a drink after – or at – work is becoming more and more commonplace. And for good reason! Portable cocktail kits are a fun, unique gift, great for companies whose employees are either remote or travel often. All they require is that you add a splash alcohol, and wa-la: a craft cocktail in your hands.
3. Collapsible Coolers
As we head into the warmer months, it’s natural to start thinking of the outdoors. Or perhaps, you’re based in a place where it’s warm year-round? Either way, collapsible coolers are a fun and practical choice. When empty, they compress down into nearly flat packages that are easy to pack or tuck into a bag, but they pop up into useful coolers in a matter of seconds. If you’re looking for something really practical that your employees are sure to get a lot of use out of, these are a great pick.
4. The Newest Tech
Whether you’re in the business of technology or not, cool new tech gifts are always a popular pick. If you’re on the smaller side (or have a generous spending budget), you might be able to splurge on something pricier like a tablet or e-reader, but even for larger companies, more affordable items like fitness trackers or quality headphones are sure to be a hit. You could even consider dolling out slightly sillier technology-related gimmicks like selfie-sticks, if your employees would enjoy that kind of (gag) gift.
5. A Philanthropic Gesture
Donations aren’t always considered a “gift” to everyone – it takes a very philanthropically minded individual to appreciate this kind of gesture. But these days, a lot of companies offer their employees such awesome perks on a daily basis – endless snacks, catered meals, unlimited vacation, beer on tap – that it’s a sensible, and generous, alternative to a material gift.
These are just a few of our favorite, less traditional corporate gift ideas. We’d love to know – what’s the best corporate gift you’ve ever received?
