What is the best way to build your team and boost employee morale? ย We like to think the answer is simpleโthrow a party! ย It may seem trivial, but the simple act of taking time to enjoy your coworkers’ company can make a huge difference in your day-to-day life. ย Not only is a party a great time for everyone, but it provides something for our team of virtual receptionists to look forward to in the midst of a busy month of providing top-notch customer service.
Here at Ruby, we have created our own special day of each month to make room for a good time. ย We call them our “Third Thursday” events. ย On the third Thursday of each month, our staff knows that they can count on something wonderful to do after work. ย One of those Third Thursdays per quarter is designated as an all-staff meeting to talk business, but the other Third Thursdays are filled with a variety of fun things to do to unwind and help our staff connect with each other. ย The Ruby office culture is very much based on our core values of creating community and fostering happiness and I like to think that our events play a big part in bringing those values to life. These parties do not always have to be extravagant or outrageously expensive to be effective and fun!
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Here are seven fabulous things your company can do together for less than $100:
1) Bring in the experts. ย Many local specialists are happy to come in and lead a discussion for a small fee. ย We have had acupuncturist, an herbalist, an ergonomics expert, and a local chef come in as part of a wellness & heath lecture series. ย You may want to consider other experts like financial planners or organization specialists that might be of interest to your group.
2) Host an exchange. ย We are an office full of women, so we have been hosting a yearly fall clothing swap, but you might want to host a swap for books, art supplies, movies, or whatever you think best appeals to your group. ย Swaps are a great way for your employees to get rid of some unneeded items and come away with new treasures without spending a dime. ย Swaps also make for great bonding timeโI love learning secrets about my coworkersโ fashion pasts during our annual clothing swap.
3) Have a good old fashioned movie night or video game night. ย That projector that you are using for your meetings can easily be turned into a movie projector or hooked up to a video game system. ย Ruby hosted a Nintendo Wii party last year and it was a big hit. ย We had Guitar Hero battles in the conference room and a few other games set up around the office, and everyone took turns and tried different things.
4) Volunteer. ย Nothing brings people together quite like a unified sense of purpose and pride. ย Ruby has been going to the Oregon Food Bank annually. ย We have a great time, we help a great cause, and I walk away feeling so proud to be a Ruby on those nights. ย We also walk in Race for the Cure and several other charity walks each year. ย Charity walks are a great way to get the team outside in the sunshine and working together for something you allย believeย in.
5) Make something together. ย Consider having a general craft night, or choose a project that everyone can work on together for the good of the office or for a special occasion. ย Maybe you could make some recycled notepads for the office?
6) Host a potluck. ย We have an office full of amazing cooks and bakers, and they just love a chance to share their scrumptious creations with the office. ย You can make it a free-form potluck or choose a theme. ย We host a yearly โSoup Dayโ in the cold winter months, and ask our management to bring in a few crockpots of homemade soups and bread for the office. ย It costs nothing for the company to host, but it certainly warms a lot of hearts.
7) Do some research about your town, and seek out the hidden gems. ย We called our local college and found that they had private billiards, bowling, and game rooms for rent for under $100! ย Itโs amazing what you can find with a little asking around! ย Try contacting local colleges or looking into offbeat venues that might not have a lot of promotion or glamour on the outside. ย You might just find something wonderful hidden behind doors you never thought to open.
