Sales, marketing and branding expert. CEO of GoPromotional, distributor of promotional products with a focus on online business development.
Boosting morale in the workplace can be difficult, but I believe it is a crucial aspect to consider for a successful business because, at the end of the day, happy employees are good employees.
So how do you boost morale? I find that corporate outings can be a great way to improve employee engagement and collaboration, ultimately creating a more positive and productive work environment.
When people aren’t confined to a formal workspace, they tend to experience a sense of liberation. I find that outings can make them feel more valuable, and they then become more open to sharing their ideas and become more inclined to collaborate and perform well at their jobs.
Here are some tips to help you plan and execute successful corporate outings and make your employees feel like valuable members of your team:
1. Set clear objectives.
Before planning any outing, define clear objectives for the particular outing. Are you looking to improve teamwork, boost morale or simply provide a fun break from a typical workday? Knowing your goals will help you design activities that align with your company’s objectives and ultimately deliver tangible benefits.
2. Involve employees in planning.
Involving employees in the planning of corporate outings can lead to more enjoyable and successful events. It not only boosts morale and engagement but also ensures that the outing reflects the interests and preferences of the team.
Therefore, encourage your employees to contribute ideas and preferences for outings. You can take a vote on different activities to get an idea of what kinds of outings colleagues may be most interested in. It demonstrates that their voices are heard and that their well-being is a priority for the company. This is all part of fostering an environment where diverse perspectives and talents can thrive, ultimately benefiting your company as a whole.
3. Choose inclusive activities.
Choosing inclusive activities for corporate outings is essential to ensure that all participants can enjoy the experience regardless of their abilities, interests or preferences. When choosing an outing, opt for activities accommodating a wide range of fitness levels and interests. Not everyone may be into physical activities like hiking, so offer a variety of options to cater to diverse preferences and hobbies.
Besides physical activities like go-carting, horse riding and even abseiling (be cautious with this last one since many are afraid of heights), my company has taken a day to attend a cooking course that had a similar structure to The Great British Bake Off.
4. Carefully time your outing.
You want to ensure you create and respect a healthy work-life balance in the workplace. I recommend that you plan outings during times that won’t disrupt work excessively such as half days, Fridays or during slow business periods. At the same time, try not to schedule outings outside of working hours, which can take away from your employees’ family time. Lastly, make sure employees have enough notice to adjust their schedules accordingly.
5. Choose an appropriate location.
Choosing the right location for corporate outings is crucial for the success of the event. It can impact attendee engagement, satisfaction and the overall objectives of the outing. I highly recommend the outing being markedly different from the workspace, for a change of scenery can significantly boost morale.
For my company, we often like to go for a weekend to the countryside—someplace peaceful and away from the daily churn of city life. Since my company is based in the U.K., someplace like the Yorkshire Dales is perfect for this kind of thing. There we can hike, bike or canoe.
I also recommend that your location involve a team-building focus. Learning to work better as a team by participating in joint activities that are totally different from normal day-to-day activities (e.g., teams have to figure out how to cross a river) can be highly effective. Such activities can be organized and managed by professional outdoor centers. On its face, it is simply fun, but underneath, there is actually some serious learning and team building going on.
6. Provide transportation.
If the outing location is not easily accessible from the workplace, you may also want to consider arranging transportation or carpooling to ensure everyone can participate without any hassle. Offering transportation also reduces the likelihood of attendees driving under the influence of alcohol after the event, minimizing potential risks.
7. Cater to dietary restrictions.
Recent findings from Statista’s “Global Consumer Survey” show that four out of 10 Americans have a restrictive diet. When providing food, be mindful of dietary restrictions and preferences. Offer vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other options.
By considering your team’s dietary restrictions, you ensure that all individuals, regardless of their dietary needs or preferences, can participate and enjoy a meal or event. This helps make everyone feel valued and respected.
8. Promote inclusivity.
Encourage employees to invite their families or significant others to the outing if you want to create a more inclusive atmosphere. When people have their loved ones around in an unfamiliar setting, they’re likely to feel more relaxed and connected to the experience.
9. Get feedback.
After the outing, gather feedback from employees to learn what worked well and what could be improved. This shows you value your employees’ opinions and want them to feel respected and included. You can also use this input to plan future outings and improve.
10. Recognize and reward your employees.
Corporate outings are a great time to acknowledge your employees’ hard work and celebrate. Consider recognizing outstanding teamwork or individual contributions during the outing. Small awards or tokens of appreciation work well in my experience.
By carefully planning and executing corporate outings with these considerations in mind, you can boost employee morale and teamwork, leading to a more motivated and productive workforce.
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Read the full article here