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Meetings of a social nature help to strengthen existing relationships, enables networking, gives prestige and improves the reputation. When scheduling a social event you must take into account the degree of formality and importance of it, the number of people, the place, the catering and the setting. At the same time, it is important to differentiate what kind of meal or meeting is the most appropriate depending on the activity to be carried out. In general, a dinner or a banquet is held on time, while a cocktail, wine of honor or lunch is offered after a previous event. The choice of the type of meeting to carry out will depend on the objective, the budget, the personnel and the time available. The work plan to organize a banquet should include the following activities: the choice of the menu and the drink, the setting of the tables and the placement of diners, the treatment of the main table, the setting of the tables and rooms, the type of sound equipment, lighting and simultaneous translation (if necessary), the formation of the guest list and the sending of invitations, the production of the speeches, the organization of the formal order, the toasts, the delivery of gifts and the determination of the label, among others. Here I detail the characteristics and recommendations of some of the most frequently used banquets, both in the private and public sphere. WORK BREAKFAST - It is a meeting that has an informal nature and is carried out between members of the same organization or between individuals belonging to different places. - It applies to executive, political and professional environments, etc. - Some of the objectives of this meeting may be: to solve conflicts, close a deal, design management plans or strategies, conduct interviews, etc. - They can be developed in a company room, a restaurant, in a press room, etc. - The meeting begins when everyone has their breakfast perfectly served. - Provides the participants' preferred type of breakfast, although at each meal it is convenient to check preferences, especially in the case of allergies or other types of particular preferences. - I recommend that its duration does not exceed one hour. BRUNCH - Brunch has an informal character and its name comes from a mixture of the words breakfast and lunch. - It is held in the middle of the morning between 10:00 and 12:00. - Its main feature is that it allows you to have breakfast and lunch at the same time. - Although it is a widely used meeting within the workplace, it can also take place in congresses, seminars and meetings that take place in hotels or lounges. - The menu is based on quick breakfast-like dishes: breads, fruits, cakes, pancakes, sandwiches, tea, coffee, natural juices and water. Simple and fresh dishes can be incorporated. - Generally, the service has the self-service mode, through fountains located on the different tables, having plates, glasses, drinks, cutlery and other utensils. - You can do it in the same place where the meeting is held (in the case of small meetings), or if it takes place in the facilities of a hotel (for a congress or seminar, etc.) it will be located in a separate room. - I recommend an approximate duration of between an hour or an hour and a half. COFFEE BREAK - It is generally done to produce a cut and rest in an event. - It is widely used in congresses, where activities are scheduled throughout an entire working day, so it is necessary to have time to then continue with the program. - You can serve it mid-morning or mid-afternoon and offer it with a light catering. - I recommend that its duration does not exceed half an hour. APPETIZER - Generally offered before lunch or dinner. - You can serve it through a staff service that circulates the food on trays or on tables where the prepared trays and dishes are placed so that each person can serve themselves. - The menu consists of small hot and cold bites that can be served by hand or on small plates. - You can offer alcoholic beverages such as white or red wine, vermouth, sherry, and non-alcoholic beverages such as soft drinks, juices, sodas and water. - I recommend that its duration does not exceed one hour. WINE OF HONOR - This event is usually offered to celebrate a specific occasion such as a product presentation, a book, a press conference or inaugurations. - You can offer alcoholic beverages such as white, rose or red wine, champagne or cava, and non-alcoholic beverages such as soft drinks, juices, sodas and water; and as an accompaniment a light catering of canapés and snacks. - Generally the service is offered with trays. - I recommend that its maximum duration is one hour. LUNCH - When talking about lunch, you can differentiate between a highly formal meeting such as a wedding or a meeting between friends. Depending on this, the chosen place can be a lounge, a restaurant or an outdoor space. - It is one of the main meals of the day and it takes place in a range of hours that goes from 12:00 to 15:00. - If the event is formal, you can send a card with the date, time and place. - The decoration of the tables can be more moderate compared to a dinner, using more informal glassware and porcelain. - The menu must be balanced and light, quality and simplicity prevailing. It generally consists of three or four steps: a starter, a protein-based main dish, and a dessert such as a fruit, cake, candy or ice cream tasting. - In this type of event it is suggested to be moderate in the intake of alcoholic beverages and always add the option of water, juices or soft drinks. - Do not forget to check in advance if there are guests who require a special menu. WORK LUNCH - They are team meetings with hierarchical personnel, professionals, managers and executives to deal with and discuss professional, labor or business issues between people from the same organization or a different one. - The selected place can be a nearby restaurant or the same company, prioritizing proximity, quality of service and tranquility. - I recommend a duration of one hour, and the most suitable time for its development is from 12:00 to 13:00 or from 13:00 to 14:00. - Before starting the meeting itself, it is important to place the order and talk about general topics. WORK SNACK - The most suitable place is in the office of the person organizing it or a place close to the location of the organization. - The maximum recommended duration is one hour. - They are provided between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (although it may vary according to each country). - I recommend serving coffee, tea and water, and small sweet and / or salty snacks. COCKTAIL - It is a type of formal reception that is offered to a public or private authority, or also to acquire an informal nuance. - The word cocktail means combined, and designates a mixture of different liqueurs. The word in Spanish is called an aperitif. - Over time it has been used to designate those events that have a variable degree of formality. - The event is characterized by being a meeting where the guests remain standing and circulate freely through the space. - You can offer a cocktail at presentations, congresses, conventions, seminars, personal celebrations, etc. Always in events in which a large number of participants congregate. - This type of event requires spacious, equipped and well-distributed spaces. - Generally the invitation is sent with a maximum anticipation of one month and a minimum of 15 days. The form will depend on the degree of formality of the event. - The recommended schedule is from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and its duration is two to three hours. However, there are times when it can be done at noon between 12:00 and 13:30. - Regarding the appropriate clothing will depend on the formality, importance and schedule. - The chosen place may be the facilities of a hotel, a private room or outdoors. - The food service may be offered by service personnel or main tables can be placed in the room so that the guests serve themselves by their own means, placing everything sweet and salty in one, and in the other the drink, glassware, tableware and napkins. - The menu is based on hot and cold bites that can be presented in small portions such as casseroles, cold cuts and cheeses, canapés, and all kinds of miniatures. - As in any long-term event, it is important to set up a cloakroom service. VERNISSAGE - This type of event can also be called "opening cocktail" or "welcome cocktail" and refers to the cocktail with which it is given at the beginning of an art exhibition. - The term comes from French and means "varnished", referring to official exhibitions in the 19th century, where artists gave a final touch to their works by varnishing them. The elite custom of visiting academies during varnishing, prior to the formal opening of the exhibition, gave rise to the tradition of celebrating the completion of an artwork or series of artworks with friends and patrons. In the 20th century it became an opportunity to commercialize the works in view of buyers and critics. It is currently carried out for exhibitions, book presentations, openings, etc. - It is a social gathering similar to a cocktail but more informal. - The menu is similar to the Wine of Honor. - The service is performed by staff who circulate the food on trays. - I recommend that its duration does not exceed two hours. RECEPTION - The reception is usually assigned a formal and official character, since in many cases it is offered to an important authority or personality. - The style and menu presents the same characteristics as a cocktail but has a maximum duration of two hours. - The service is offered by service personnel through trays and / or support tables. BUFFET - This type of event is an intermediate alternative between a formal dinner and a cocktail. - It has a self-service mode, since it is the diners themselves who serve themselves, and unlike other meals they are located on tables. - Since there are no assigned tables, participants can move freely around the space, which facilitates contact between guests. - The service can be offered in two ways: one in which the guests are served individually and the service is delivered by personnel designated for this purpose; and another way in which guests sit at tables and stand up to serve dishes from a main table. The first alternative is simpler to plan and requires less space, while the second is more formal in nature and involves more organization. - Service personnel must be professional and adequately trained. It is estimated at the rate of one for every ten diners. - The suggested time is between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., although this schedule of the routines of each country. -Regarding the design of the route, you can present a single large table located on a wall or in the center of the room, or distribute the food on several smaller tables. If the table is placed against the wall, the service begins on the left and the guest moves to the right, but if it is placed in the center, the tour begins to the right and then circulates in a clockwise direction. - The variety of the menu includes hot, cold and mixed dishes. On the tables, the food is ordered according to its consumption: starter, main course, side dishes and desserts. - Savory dishes and desserts should not be placed on the same table. - Decorative arrangements, cutlery, crockery, salt and pepper shakers, napkins and glassware should be placed on the guest tables. - At least two support tables are recommended: one with plates and cutlery (corresponding to starter, main course and dessert) and napkins; and another with the drink, ice and glassware. - It is recommended to serve drinks by service personnel, and food sources should not remain on the tables for more than two hours. - The tables can be round, square or rectangular or horseshoe-shaped. - If you place a table against the wall, you must leave enough space for the mobility of the service personnel. It is advisable to place the table at the entrance of the room and with a tablecloth long enough to cover all sides. DINNER - It applies to both the private and public spheres. - The schedule varies between 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (always depending on each country), and can be extended from 2 hours onwards, especially if some entertainment is offered later. - The menu must be balanced without overloading the dishes. It is recommended that you organize yourself in three or four steps in which options for vegetarians and celiacs should not be lacking. Do not forget to check individual orders in advance. - It is essential to adapt the menu to the time of year, choosing fresh and light products in spring and summer; and the most consistent foods for fall and winter. - In a formal dinner I recommend you to offer a welcome cocktail prior to the start of the event. Regardless of the type of format chosen, I recommend that you follow these general organizational guidelines that will help you organize yourself better: Never stop, never settle, until the good is better and the best is excellent. DanielaSánchezSilva©

Defining what it does, where it is going and the values that will affect its performance is a key decision in the strategic plan of any organization. The identity of an organization is similar to the personality of a person, it is inherent to it and it is there by the mere fact of existing. This personality, and therefore its identity, in a broad sense, is constituted from the conjunction of certain essential traits with which it identifies and differentiates itself. This identity is what the institution wants to project on itself and how it wants to be recognized in the places where it is displayed. It can be analyzed from two of its components, which go hand-in-hand, one determines the other and vice versa: PHILOSOPHY: consists of the global conception of the institution. It is composed by the mission that answers the question, what is the reason for my existence? What should I do? It is the key strategic objective, to which all plans must aim. In addition, it is made up of the vision, where it shows where it wants to go, and the values, which represent how the institution will carry out its objectives. CULTURE: made up of the set of norms, values ​​and code of conduct shared by the members of the company, which is reflected in their behavior. It is determined by factors such as: organizational structure, human resources, history, social environment where it develops, etc. Components and levels of corporate culture What we are: the attributes that define corporate identity. What we think: the values of culture. What we do: the strategic unit. Culture manifests itself differently on three levels That of explicit behaviors: it is visible, easily accessible and modified. Values: it is perceptible, it is accessed with more difficulty and its change requires time. That of the basic assumptions: they are preconscious beliefs that induce behaviors that are difficult to change if they are not acted upon. Functions of corporate culture It is the foundation that contributes to build a part of the identity of the organizations. It is the main cohesion element of an organization. Promotes involvement and alignment with the institutional project. Determine the internal environment. Culture is an integration factor that creates belonging. That is why, from the communication management we must work to align it with the philosophy, and in this way, achieve an integrated identity oriented to the achievement of the goals and objectives of the organization. Actions to develop a collaborative culture - Create a vision that includes everyone who makes up the organization. In this way, commitment and self-discipline will be more important than orders and hierarchy. The members of an organization will feel part of the decision-making and creative process, which will increase their motivation and enthusiasm. - Define the philosophy and communicate it efficiently. The definition of the philosophy will allow the achievement of the proposed objectives, at the same time that all the members that make up the organization will be clear about what they do, where they should go and under what parameters they should do it. -Try to expand communication channels, so that through scheduled meetings, each member can express their ideas. The use of internal events such as workshops, group meetings, business breakfasts, etc. are ideal spaces for the exchange of ideas and opinions. - Establishes a strategic plan detailing the short, medium and long-term objectives in which the vision must materialize. It is important that these goals are realistic and motivate the groups. - Measure and share the results. Socializing achievements creates a collaborative corporate culture that is committed to teamwork and enables innovation, while allowing mistakes to be re-thought from a broader perspective. "None of us is as good as all of us put together." Ray Kroc DanielaSánchezSilva©

Family-oriented events strengthen the corporate image, by transmitting a clear message from an organization interested in the well-being of its employees in a comprehensive manner. The family is the foundation for the employees of an organization, therefore, organizations allocate part of their human capital programs to family integration, planning office visits, contests and family days. A family day is a celebration through which an organization recognizes the families of its employees. It is a work and recreational meeting, where a full day of games, dispersion and integration is shared, with the aim of creating a pleasant work environment beyond the office setting. The family day seeks to integrate the core family of the collaborators, inviting them to carry out entertainment and fun activities in the open air. Its main advantages are: Strengthening the bond between employees' families and interpersonal relationships. Development of team spirit and sense of community. Assimilation of corporate culture. This type of event takes place in large spaces with open and closed sectors, with parks and places prepared to develop recreational and sports activities, swimming pools and places to eat. Some of the activities that can be scheduled are: Hike through a predetermined circuit or a treasure hunt activity. Sports tournaments of tennis, soccer, volleyball, table tennis, target shooting, bow and arrow, foosball, etc. Games of dexterity and ingenuity where participants have to solve riddles. Obstacle or rollerblade races. Giant slides, trampolines, a climbing wall or a mini golf course. Cooking, dancing, painting or crafts competition. Activities with animators such as: magicians, storytellers, face painting, cartoonists, photocall, clowns, etc. Electric car race, bowling game or laser tag. Farm visits with pony rides for the little ones. Game consoles and VR (virtual reality) devices Card and board games. Activities that involve families improve relationships between employees and the work environment, and serve to increase the motivation. Recommendations for your organization: - Install a special sector for the delivery of prizes, where the main representative of the organization delivers them while photos are taken. - The best dates to organize it are during weekends or holidays, and during spring or summer, where the weather is pleasant for outdoor activities. - The invitations must be sent two weeks in advance, mainly through all the human resources channels that are commonly used. - The catering service must offer a menu with a wide variety of fresh drinks. It is recommended to incorporate menus for vegetarians, vegans, celiacs, and other special cases such as intolerances or allergies. - It is preferable to focus on activities that require more concentration in the morning, before lunch, and perform more relaxed activities in the afternoon. - Regarding the place, the best options are usually ranches, villas or clubs outside the city, but no more than 50 kilometers away. - Hire a photography and recording service that captures the best moments and prepares high-quality content to share on the organization's internal network. - To close the event, a dance show, open-air cinema or a small play can be offered that unites all the participants and manages to give a wonderful closing to the event. - Measures the effectiveness of the activity by sending a satisfaction survey to employees. - These types of events are part of the internal communication strategy, with which communication efforts must be aligned with the objectives of this area. "Cherish your human connections: yours relationships with friends and family." Barbara Bush DanielaSánchezSilva©

The decoration is the ideal complement to make an occasion become unique and unforgettable. Preparing the space is a crucial element when organizing an event. At all times, the rule should be not to impede the movement of participants, but on the contrary, to provide a framework in which everyone feels comfortable and at ease. Here are some ideas to decorate tables and rooms depending on their purpose: Ideas to decorate different types of tables The elements to decorate a table are based on the centerpieces, chandeliers and flowers. The centerpieces are flower arrangements and can be interspersed with the chandeliers. The location in the middle of the table, or at the ends, in the case that the table is rectangular. This last option allows you to locate several centers distributed with the same distance from each other. The materials frequently used are usually bronze, glass, porcelain or silver. Depending on the type of event you can incorporate fruits, leaves and branches or some quality material. In all cases it is essential that its height allows the correct vision of the diners and does not contain perfume (it mixes with the aromas of the food and / or affects those with respiratory problems). As for candles, light and pastel colors always work well. Currently there are electrical options that allow to obtain light with greater security. Tables decorated with centerpieces In cases where the table is not intended for a meal but for work or business, only the elements are placed to carry out the planned activities. Cards are routinely used to identify each table, sheets, pens, and all necessary office supplies. Regarding the layout, some options may be to use rectangular tables for two delegations, horseshoe tables for three delegations (placing the chair in the center), in the form of a closed rectangle for multiple groups, round or in the form of polygons. The coffee table should be located apart, close to the break room. When signatures are made, tables can be placed where people are next to each other, or where both parties are located one in front of the other. In both cases it is important to leave one side of the table visible so that the press can take pictures. When they are used to preside over an official act, posters are placed to specify the name and position of the authorities. A small, low-rise, elongated flower arrangement can be added in the middle to highlight the importance of the table. Tables for business meetings Ideas to decorate environments Plants and flowers can be used both indoors and outdoors. In each case, it will be necessary to choose the type that best suits each environment. It is convenient to be moderate with the amount and avoid spices with perfumes that can cause inconveniences. The flowers must adapt to the chosen tones, and must be located in specific sectors so as not to overload the space. Carpets can also be placed indoors or outdoors and must be presented impeccably at all times. Neutral colors are always a great option. You can also use them to mark a route. Do not forget to highlight each moment with the correct lighting. The options on the market are very varied in size, price and functionality. Avoid lighting the whole place with the same type of light, and prioritize warm and dimmable colors. It is better to create different sensations and shapes for each place by using, for example, spotlights. Pictures and works of art are decorative elements that offer beauty and elegance, while allowing spaces to be enlarged, reduced or highlighted. These elements, with the precise lighting, achieve elegant, glamorous and scenographic atmospheres. Try to design the different spaces with modern and elegant furniture, always prioritizing the comfort of the guests. Regarding the chosen palette, neutral colors such as gray or beige provide an organic, contemporary and combinable style. Finally, the event should make electrical connections and charging accessories available to be able to use and charge various technological devices. "Love color. Take risks. Be curious." Kelly Wearstler DanielaSánchezSilva©