Party? Who does not enjoy a party and if it is well organized, there is nothing like it! I am not a party animal, but I enjoy little parties thrown by friends, where there is not much crowd! Office parties are different! I don’t mind the crowd and atleast half are from the office. I love to meet colleagues, relax, have good food, have fun, listen to the peppy music, see people dance and enjoy, and enjoy myself! Atleast that is what I like to do! in general, I feel a party is successful if people enjoy it and want it go and on, because they are enjoying the party(not only the drinks).
For the Employers
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So you are throwing a party for the employees(and their families). That’s nice, really nice of you. You know, you can take advantage of the office party to have some fun and probably even become more popular than you are OR you can be a bore, cripple others enjoyment and make the party a massive disaster. There are 50-50 chances. Here are some basic rules to let the people enjoy and complement you on a company party.
Research: Research for a party? Yes, this is very important. First find out what type of celebration the employees would like to have. If the party is for the employees, they should be able to enjoy it. Period. Then check out the budget, so that you can plan accordingly. The size of your budget will limit how you celebrate and where. These two factors have to be taken into consideration right from the start!
Plan: Form an organizing committee and try to take in social staff members who like to party and go out. Such people can give you great party ideas, also, they can get a general feedback about what the employees expect from the party. Believe it or not, such committee members will guarantee that the party be a success.
Out of the office: If you normally hold your company party in the office premises, let me assure you that the employees don’t enjoy that, even if you do. The reason? They spend atleast 8-10 hours of their day in the office and it becomes tough for your staff to get into the party spirit in the office premises. Have the party in another, more relaxing site.
Menu: Food is an integral and important part of a good party. So have a wide rage of menus to choose from. If you love non-vegetarian food does not mean that there should not be any vegetarian dishes at all(or the vice versa for that matter). The food should be balanced!
Music : Party without music is like tandoori chicken without any salt or masala(what a comparison?). The music should be able to move you(not to tears), but move your feet and make you dance and enjoy. If you do not want to bring in a live band or DJ, at least provide a good quality sound system. Have some rocking music CDs and DVDs in stock! If not, ask the employees to bring in their favorite CDs.
Don’t forget the kids: If it is a family party, ensure to have some entertainment corner for the kids. If not anything else, dedicate some of the music time to them. Let them enjoy too. If your budget allows you, give little gifts to the kids. The next time, the kids will ensure that their parent attend the party ?.
Entertainment: If possible and it time permits have some entertainment. You can allow the employees to showcase the in-house talents.
Important Pointers:
Serve food early(some people are early eaters). A hungry stomach leads to a cranky employee.
Publish your policy on drinking, in advance, to avoid any misunderstandings.
Well planned party will extend the good feelings long after it is over.
Serve foods high in protein and carbohydrates, which slows down the absorption of alcohol.
Close the bar before the party ends.
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For the Employees
So you are going to attend a company party. That’s nice, really nice. You know, you can take advantage of the office party to have some fun and probably even advance your career OR you can misbehave and cripple your career as well. There are 50-50 chances.
You don’t have much planning to do, but let me take this opportunity to add some basic rules(I know, there should be no rules during parties, still can’t help it) to enjoy and survive any company sponsored party.
Make it a point to accept the invitation to an office party. Not attending will not hurt you, but attending it leaves is a better impression. When you attend, spend at least half an hour meeting people(instead of sticking to the bar).
Conduct yourself professionally at all times. Don’t use the office party as an excuse to blow off steam. It’s still a company function, so proper etiquette and decorum matter.
Enjoy yourself at the party. Employers spend the big bucks to reward their employees, so be sure to enjoy the only holiday gift you may be getting from the company.
Dress appropriately. It is a party, but remember, it is still an official one:) So avoid wearing anything that is too revealing or too flashy. Try to keep your reputation for good taste intact.:)
Don’t spend all evening talking business. Do you want the label of the office bore?
Keep all conversations positive. Do not spend the evening complaining, whining, or ridiculing or bragging. Just chill!
Don’t feel you that you have to drink excessively just because the drinks are available for you.
Don’t forget to thank the person responsible for the planning and coordinating of the party.
Last but not the least, don’t drink and drive.
Important Pointers :
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Although office parties are intended as social events(for whatever reasons), they are but official business events. Most of the time your behavior is observed because this is where people are in their relaxed mode and feel that they are free to behave as they want to. May be true, but usually not!
Whether you like it or not, most of the time, in an office party, the emphasis belongs on the first word if the phrase. Enjoy yourself, but don’t do anything that would embarrass you later. All the hard work you might have done will be washed down the drain!
Keep an control on your consumption of alcohol. Drink, but don’t get drunk!
Hope organizations throw fun parties! Hope that the employees look forward for such parties and enjoy them as well! Cheers!