January 19, 2011
Whatever type of company outing you are planning, the main thing to remember is that it’s all about having fun — and not just for your employees, but for yourself as well.

“You should be able to enjoy the event as much as your employees,” says Thomas Lee, director of ticket sales for the Charlotte Knights AAA baseball team. That’s one reason why he advises working closely with the sales staff at the venue you choose so all the details can be worked out beforehand.

“It’s good to physically pull people out of the office where they work day after day in a stressful environment,” says Amanda Pagliarini, a sales manager at Charlotte event-planning firm Tribble Creative Group. “You want to give them a different experience and let them interact on a different playing field. It humanizes everyone.”

Pagliarini says an outing can be an excellent morale booster and increase employee retention. “You’ll get your return. It costs a lot to replace an employee in these economic times.”

Holding a companywide outing “shows appreciation for your employees,” Lee says.

Still, it takes planning and effort to make an event enjoyable. Pagliarini suggests planning an outing at least two months in advance. Lee notes many venues get booked up on weekends even further out than that.

Choose an outing your employees will enjoy. Also consider whether the event fits your business culture and is in keeping with your company values.

Make sure the event you are considering — whether a day at Carowinds or a group picnic — is within your budget. You don’t want any unpleasant surprises, says Dianne Stewart, president of BSA Public Relations and Marketing in Charlotte, so prepare a detailed budget and add 10% for contingencies.

If you approach a venue’s sales staff with your budget, the personnel will often work with you to include enough to make the outing memorable but not break the bank, Pagliarini says.

Consider your workers’ interests.

“Take into account the type of activity and ensure that it’s age-appropriate for your employees,” Stewart advises. “Keep the physical capabilities of your employee in mind.”

She says you may need to expand those considerations to include family members. She advises inviting spouses and children to the outing, especially if it is held on a weekend or after work.

The company should cover all the costs of the outing, including admission, meals and refreshments. Employees “should not have to pay out of pocket for essential items,” Stewart says.

Given the recent steep increases in the cost of gasoline, it might be a good idea to provide group transportation, such as renting a bus or a van, Pagliarini says.

It’s also wise to include a free souvenir from the outing. “Make the event even more memorable by providing something fun like a T-shirt, cap or mug,” Stewart says. “And make sure you have a designated photographer to record the event.”

But don’t get carried way. “Keep it simple,” Stewart says. “Complicated itineraries and activities can make it a nightmare.”

Make sure employees are well-informed about what to expect at the event and what to bring.

And make sure your company has adequate insurance in case anything goes wrong.

TOPTIPS

•Remember: The main purpose of a company outing is to have fun.

•Choose an event your employees (and their families) will enjoy and that fits your company culture and values.

•Plan to cover all the essential costs of the outing — and a free souvenir — and develop a detailed budget.

•Don’t make the outing overly complicated, and keep your employees informed.

Company outings are an annual event for most companies in Manila, Cebu, Subic, Pampanga Angeles City and Clark Philippines. Organization and planning of corporate events start with selecting a suitable venue, an event venue that offers safety and accessibility for participants coming from Manila or other cities of Philippines.