Summer is in full swing, and nothing says summer like a picnic. A company picnic, that is. While not every company has a traditional outing with a barbeque and outdoor games, a company event during the summer months would be beneficial to your organization and employees.
A company picnic could also be called an outing, gathering or event and it is up to the organizers to decide exactly where and what will take place at the event. A company outing should reflect the nature of the organization, and should be planned accordingly to attract as many employees as possible. If attendance is a concern, consider hosting the company picnic on a weekday.
Depending on location, activities, catering and more external factors, company events may become costly; however, there are many benefits to hosting an out of office company event. Here are some reasons why you should plan a company picnic this summer.
Host Team Building Activities
If you choose a location with sporting fields or nightly trivia, your employees can be randomly assorted into teams, hopefully placing them with individuals they do not regularly collaborate with. A team sport is a great way to get employees to collaborate and cooperate, especially if employees have a slightly competitive nature. Working in a team to reach a common goal outside of the office can translate to the workplace, and can facilitate collaboration between departments.
Co-worker interactions outside of the office also can strengthen interpersonal relationships, and can foster new friendships. Co-workers that get along tend to work together well, and it also makes the office a more pleasant place to be.
Boost Employee Morale and Retention
Your employees have been working hard for you year-round, and taking one day to provide activities and entertainment may seem like a small gesture, but employees appreciate it, especially if they are unable to utilize vacation time.
As the typical American spends over 40 hours per week at work, getting along with and befriending co-workers can make going to work more enjoyable and boosts employee retention. Showing employees you care about them increases their happiness, and happy employees tend to stay at companies for longer periods of time, and are more productive, than unhappy employees.
Establish and Showcase Company Culture
We previously touched upon how an out of office event aids in building company culture. Company culture is becoming ever more important, especially to millennials and recent college graduates, as they evaluate prospective companies. It’s important for even the most serious of offices to have a sense of camaraderie.
Chances are, your company has a website and/or Social Media channels – and you can use these channels to show prospective employees what you do behind the scenes. Take photos or video of the event, and post them to show how fun your employees are, and to take a short break from your regular content. Events like these are a great way to show people why they would want to work for your company. You want prospective employees to want to join your office and be a part of a great team that is able to play just as hard as they work.
Celebrate Company and Individual Success
Did your company exceed goals for the quarter? Did the company or an employee reach a milestone anniversary? Did your company open a new location? Reward employees for doing a great job by planning a day for them to relax and have fun. The best employees work hard to deliver results and serve the company. Celebrate these achievements with the staff, and it will motivate them to continue on a successful path. If you’re planning a company event to celebrate employees, consider opening the event to their families as well, as a further token of appreciation.
It can be hard to ensure your employees know you appreciate them, but a fun company picnic or other event is a great way to give back to the team. Consider one of these various themes or activities to make it unique and memorable to the team. As an employer, it is important to make sure your employees know they are appreciated and valued in your organization, so both parties can benefit in the long run.