Creating and hosting a summer party helps enhance company culture and employee morale on many levels, says Erica Edgar, Talent Partner/Assessment Lead for CorTalent, a company that provides executive search, project staffing, pipeline development and recruiting services.
Whether you are a small business, staffing firm or startup, organizing and promoting an end of summer party is a great way to promote your company brand, business and culture. By inviting clients, vendors, company alumni and prospects, and other industry movers and shakers, in addition to employees, the party can become a must-attend summer event that does more than provide a great social gathering for those within your network.
The positives gained from hosting a summer party are many, says Edgar, including:
Building morale: Higher morale leads to higher engagement and ultimately, more effective employees.
Networking with clients and industry professionals: “Allowing your team to be seen and heard by clients as professionals in the industry strengthens credibility,” says Edgar.
Company branding/positioning: This is another opportunity to highlight you company expertise and knowledge within your industry and marketplace. But avoid trying to turn it into a sales session. Focus on the fun – and make it a relaxing evening that emphasizes relationship building. Save the sales pitch for another time.
“For us at CorTalent, building exceptional relationships is everything and this is one small way to do that,” says Edgar. “We always strive to stand out from the crowd – be a ‘purple cow’ in our market.”
Comfortable setting: While not everyone is going to be the life of a party, it does allow for those within your network to mingle with other industry professionals and break the ice. Perhaps a potential client has something in common with your top sales person that you never knew before. That barrier has been broken and the next time they talk they may use that connection to facilitate business discussion. But the same can be said for employees. Team members may be heads down, in work mode all day and not showing their true self. Getting together at a company party in a relaxed environment can help open up lines of communication and help team members get to know each other better.
Those moments also build for the future.
“The company party allows everyone to have a fun and relaxed time together which can have a positive impact while working on future issues and problems,” says Edgar.
True Talent Group, the fastest growing marketing, creative and interactive placement firm in the twin cities, has hosted a summer party every year since company inception in 2008. These events are epic, must-attend summer fun. Not just because company founder and President Stacey Stratton, recognized as a 2015 Top 40 Under 40 Honoree by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, is the host (and a darn good one at that!), but because it’s a great way to connect with area professionals in a fun, relaxed-yet-engaging environment.
The True Talent bash connects local talent, movers and shakers and industry professionals, while providing networking opportunities that builds on those all-important business relationships.
“We value our employees and it’s important to us to show our talent appreciation and recognize our True Star winners,” says Stratton. “These types of social gatherings allow us to connect and further build relationships with our clients, potential clients and talent. Our summer party fosters an environment where the Twin Cities creative, marketing and interactive professionals can connect with others within the industry, get to know True Talent Group and enjoy a fun summer evening.”
True Talent’s 2015 Summer Bash is on August 27, 2015. Here is how to write up a party invite that ensures people will attend – from the True Talent Bash invite:
That’s right, it’s time to mark your calendar for just the sort of ruckus you’ll be proud to add to your list of summer accomplishments. Not that anyone’s keeping track (or are you?)!
Here’s a sneak peak of what’s in the cooler…
- A little live music by Chris Kroeze, with a cover selection so vicious we predict even the toughest critic will be singing along.
- Ample food and beverage. Is there any other way to send the summer off? We don’t think so either.
- Celebratory words and praise. What’s a bash without a few standing ovations, crowd pleaser call-outs and applaudable awards? A boring dinner, that’s what. We won’t have it. After all, this is a BASH.
- 5:30 Start
- TIP: Insert a 4:30 calendar placeholder now, it’s a brutal construction season PLUS someone in the office is bound to ask you for something at the last minute once the day rolls around. #italwayshappens
See you at the Bash!
Sounds fun, doesn’t it?
Use social media – Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn – to highlight and promote the event, says Edgar. Those who follow you and are connected to you will learn about the event and that will increase the chances they attend. This can be more effective than the old school (and expensive) method of sending out mailers, or email invites only. Stratton has created a hashtag for the True Talent party: #TTGSummerBash
From a business perspective the five gains that True Talent receives from hosting a summer party include, these, says Stratton:
- Employee engagement
2. New client leads
3. New talent introductions
4. Relationship building and social touch-bases with talent and clients
5. Building the True Talent Group brand as a knowledgeable, trustworthy and fun company
How to host an epic summer bash: Party Planning tips:
Create a theme to make a party memorable. At True Talent, they present its annual TruStar Awards. Prior to the event True Talent Group invites clients and employees the opportunity to nominate/recognize the marketing, creative and interactive talent that has made an impact in their organization. They receive special thanks and recognition at an event and are treated to a special dinner with Stratton.
“In our experience, when we host social gatherings for those in the marketing, creative and interactive industries, we further achieve our goal of connecting the area’s top talent to jobs they love and supporting companies with high-performing professionals,” says Stratton. “These events are win-win for the host and attendees and is something we have seen great success with.”
Make it something fun for everyone: A boat cruise around a popular lake, a charity-driven theme where attendees give to a cause the host supports, or a night out at a ball game can bring together large groups of people. Not every theme will fit everyone’s fancy, but understanding your clients and employees should help drive the theme.
Food: What’s a party without good food? And leave it to Rachel Ray to recommend the importance of good food: “Office eating is synonymous with brownbag lunches, so turning up the culinary volume is key,” says Ray in an article titled How to Throw an Office Party. “If you have a theme, serve eats that suit it. For a potluck, organize who’s bringing what. And nix messy foods — no one wants to shake the boss? hand while eating ribs.”
Drink – responsibly: When alcohol is present, be sure to promote responsibility and even consider offering sober rides home. It’s an expense, but one a company can’t afford to not consider if the party becomes a booze bash.
Experiment: Some party themes will work better pending on your industry, clientele, company culture and summer party goals. Whatever your organization and colleagues think would be fun may be different than the competitor or other summer bashes your friends go to. There’s nothing wrong with that, your party, your rules. Don’t be afraid to try new themes and mix it up.
And remember, it’s a party, not work. Focus on the fun!
Business is all about building solid relationships and delivering on expectations, says Edgar.
“Being transparent to a client or business prospect in a fun and positive environment builds trust and trust builds relationships,” says Edgar. “Once you have this, it’s easy to deliver on expectations.”
The end of summer bash is more than just a party. It’s an opportunity. An opportunity to have fun, network and open up the potential to remain a leader in your industry. And show off those karaoke or dance skills too (maybe).
