The Power of Play: How Other Directors Can Add Fun into the Workplace

The Tangible Benefits of Incorporating Fun into Corporate Culture

Fun isn’t just for weekends and holidays – it should be part of our everyday work lives too! In today’s world, where negativity can often overshadow positivity, incorporating fun into the workplace makes a significant difference. When team-building events put smiles on faces, people are more engaged and likely to participate actively.?

The benefits are clear: improved communication, teamwork, and leadership. People feel more relaxed and willing to take on responsibilities while having fun.?

I say this to my little girl when she asks, “Daddy, why are you so silly” and I say, “Because you got to have fun, darling, I want to make you smile”.

The same applies in the office – a fun culture leads to happy, productive employees.

Real Success Stories: Fun Events Driving Business Success

Our tagline, “We make it fun. We do it better,” isn’t just words – it’s a reality we live by. Recently, a client shared how our Pressure Chamber event broke down long-standing barriers. They had a team that just wouldn’t interact, but once we got them laughing and collaborating, the change was immediate.?

Dressing up as Richard O’Brien might have helped break the ice too! This male-centric industry saw their admin and site teams mingling and interacting in ways they hadn’t before. By the time they were at the BBQ, they weren’t just sticking to their usual groups – they were genuinely engaging with each other.

Practical Tips to Introduce Fun at Work

Incorporating fun into your work environment starts with your company values. It’s not just about ‘commitment’ or ‘honesty’ – think about what makes your team smile. Our brand is all about fun, and we reflect that with smiley faces and a positive attitude.?

Even in more traditional industries, there’s always room for a bit of fun. Look at companies like Deloitte; their value of ‘taking care of each other’ can be expanded to include fun elements like mental health check-ins or Friday celebrations. Get creative and watch your team’s energy and excitement soar.

Planning the Perfect Event: Key Steps

When planning an event, client interaction is crucial to get a clear brief. Make sure you and the client are on the same page to avoid any misunderstandings. Ensure the budget matches the vision, and then focus on making the event unique. Adding a ‘wow factor’ by tapping into local trends, like the current love for street food, can make a huge difference. Getting to know your client well means you can present a brief that exceeds their expectations.

Overcoming Challenges: Memorable Event Stories

Event planning isn’t always smooth sailing. Once, a venue cancelled on us last minute. We quickly found an alternative, negotiated a better rate, and even freed up the budget for extra entertainment. Another time, during a big conference, both projectors and the power went out just as the CEO was about to present in front of 350 people. We managed to fix everything quickly, condensed a two-hour team-building event into one hour, and left the client thrilled, energised and brimming with positive feedback (despite the early issues).?

The Importance of Teamwork and Creativity in Events

Event managers are like ducks – calm on the surface, paddling like mad underneath. You always need backup plans. We once planned an event near a military base, and last-minute, were told no clay pigeon shooting was allowed to due ‘firing guns’ near the base. We quickly adapted and worked with the venue, the client, and the staff to find a solution.

It’s essential to stay polite, focus on solutions, and keep the client informed. This teamwork and creativity are what make successful events possible.

The Essential 5 rules of running a great event:?

Always have multiple backup plans?

Always be polite?

Always look for solutions

Always keep the client involved?

Always present how to solve the problem?

By sharing these insights and experiences, I hope to inspire others to see the power of fun in the workplace and the impact it can have on both employees and business success. Let's make work a place where smiles are as common as spreadsheets!

Get in touch to start planning your event today!

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