After a financial meltdown that has left no sector of the economy untouched, just about every business has started cutting back.
Whether that means shedding staff, trimming ad budgets or making do with last year’s computers, every company is trying to conserve cash by doing more with less.
Will the company Christmas party make the cut?
Surprisingly, a survey conducted last month by the online payroll service SurePayroll found that most small-business owners are preparing to end 2008 with a bang. The survey found that, despite the economic challenges of recent months, six out of 10 small-business owners are planning to hold a holiday office party, and eight out of 10 of them are confident they can afford one. What’s more, seven out of 10 business owners who are planning parties said they are spending as much or more money on this year’s party than they have spent in the past.
The survey also found that small-business owners are getting creative with their celebrations and finding ways to please employees without breaking the company bank account.
For example:
- Throwing a bowling party
- Taking employees to a concert
- Holding a pie-eating contest
- Going to a casino
- Giving employees $250 apiece to spend on a downtown shopping spree
Like everything else in business, the key to throwing a great party is planning, says SurePayroll President Michael Alter.
Here are Alter’s five surefire tips for making your holiday party a success:
- Think about your staff. Considering who makes up your team can have a huge impact on the success of your party. Does your business have a large number of young, single workers or are they older workers with families? This will ultimately influence the decision about party location and activities that will most appeal to certain groups.
- Poll the office. Unless you’re planning a surprise, ask your employees what they’d like to do to celebrate the holidays. Their ideas might not be what you expected, and there’s no better way to ensure that they’ll attend and have a good time.
- Pick your location wisely. If you choose a venue that allows for the consumption of alcohol, anticipate that there may be employees who take it a bit too far. Encourage carpooling and designated drivers or plan for appropriate transportation, if necessary. This will help ensure the safety of all your workers. If you’re in a public setting, the way your employees celebrate may ultimately reflect upon your business. It’s often a good idea to make employees aware of what your company does and does not condone in a holiday party setting.
- Stop the drama before it starts. If you notice an awkward situation developing, sway the conversation in a different direction. If that doesn’t work, pull the offending individuals aside and talk to them on a one-on-one basis to prevent the drama from becoming a company-wide spectacle.
- Delegate responsibilities. Small-business owners often find themselves without enough time to get all their work done, much less plan an office party on their own. There’s nothing wrong with asking various staff members to help out. In fact, it will most often lead to a better party.
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