6 tips for organizing an after work

Improve the work environment, expand the contact network and generate new business opportunities through business social meetings.

This type of event consists of a meeting after working hours, and includes the members of the same working group, although on certain occasions suppliers, distributors and customers can be invited.

The chosen places may be bars, hotels, restaurants or some fashionable place. Your choice will depend on the reason for which the event will take place, such as: birthdays, end of the year, special dates or simply a spontaneous meeting. In all cases, these meetings allow the creation of bonds of trust that benefit teamwork and, eventually, do business.

6 tips for organizing an after work:

1. Define the indicated place. Bars, restaurants or fashionable clubs in closed or open spaces (depending on the time of year) offer special prices for this type of service, so I advise you to plan availability in advance, since some fashionable places tend to have a lot demand. It is also important to clarify if you want to share the place with other people or if you require an exclusive place.

2. Take advantage of the spaces within the organization. In the event that you decide to hold the meeting at the organization's facilities, you will have to organize a drink bar

(you can include alcoholic beverages if the organization's policy allows it), and have a self-service food service. It's also a good idea to put on music and rent games, so everyone has something to do while they chat.

3. Plan the logistics. For cost and time reasons, I recommend that the chosen place to be close to the workplace. In the case of choosing a remote place, it is important to send detailed plans with the location so that everyone knows how to get there. At the same time, do not forget to determine who will pay for the expenses, the organizing organization or the guests.

4. Determine the guest list. It is important to define who and how many people will be the guests. It is recommended that bosses attend these meetings, as it will improve their leadership and communication with the work teams. I also advise you that the topics to be developed are strictly social, avoiding work matters for confidentiality reasons.

5. Offer virtual option. You can organize the meeting virtually through an application such as Google Meet, Zoom or Houseparty, and hire one or more bars and restaurants to bring a surprise kit to the different homes of all collaborators at the same time. To achieve the success of the event, I recommend that you incorporate some virtual activity such as: a contest, a guided tasting, a show or a cooking class.

6. Establish the invitation mode. Usually the invitation is made by email, although you can also use internal social networks, billboards, or printed invitations. Do not forget to include the start and end times (in general, these types of events take place during the working week and have an average duration of three hours). I recommend that you make the call one week in advance.

After work invitation flyer template:

Richard Branson

DanielaSánchezSilva©