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When it comes to organising the annual office
shindig, there are some simple tips we can recommend to ensure that
the event runs smoothly for the event organiser as well as the guests…
1. Choose a venue and theme that will
suit the variety of people who might attend - your PA might enjoy
an Abba tribute band but the MD could find it painful
2. Confirm final numbers with the venue
the week before the party so you don't end up paying for no-shows
or being caught short without enough food and drink
3. Make sure there is plenty to eat -
even if it's just canapés - so that no-one gets uncontrollably
or unsuitably drunk
4. Count up your vegetarians and guests
with special dietary requirements - everyone should be able to
eat something
5. Create a seating plan if you're having
a dinner, then everyone knows someone they're sitting with so
the conversation will flow easily and enhance the overall atmosphere
6. Think about additional entertainment
well in advance and, once booked, confirm that your singers /
band / dj all have sufficient power and backup to cope with any
eventuality
7. Check and double-check your venue booking
- venues have been known to begin refurbishment on the day of
a booking or cancel a party when construction works overrun!
8. Be fully aware of any restrictions
at your chosen venue - for example, the more traditional venues
won't allow smoking because of wood panelling and some don't have
an entertainment licence
9. Appoint an organiser who can react
quickly and calmly if there's a crisis on the day - the usual
suspects are a disco blowing up, a fight or the wrong food - and
the party can go on
10. Get some security! You might think
that staff from your company would never cause problems but it's
often gatecrashers and revellers at nearby parties who wreak havoc.
This one's more a list of thing for guests
to avoid at office parties - especially if they like their jobs…
1. Don't treat the occasion like a social
event with friends - you might forget to watch your alcohol consumption
and do something you could regret
2. Avoid letting your hair down so much
that you say or do something you wouldn't normally dare in an
office environment - such as tell the boss what you really think
of him (ouch!)
3. Try not to act any differently than
you do at work or you might end up with a Jeckyll and Hyde reputation
that makes your colleagues wary of you
4. Never invite friends to gatecrash.
Chances are someone (friends or colleagues) will cause a commotion
and it won't look good for you
5. You might not get carried away by the
party atmosphere yourself, but your partner might and that's just
as embarrassing. So, if partners are invited, ensure they won't
let you down
6. Don't go mad on a way out party outfit
as you could end up ruining your evening feeling uncomfortable
or at the unpleasant butt of your colleagues' jokes
7. Never forget who's boss or be tempted
to treat anyone else any differently from the way you do in the
office or you could get your fingers burnt
8. You don't want to embarrass yourself
at a party - after all you have to work together long after the
last dance is over - so don't embarrass your colleagues either
or you could lose
9. Try not to sit around in groups - use
the opportunity to get to know colleagues who you've never met
before (you never know what you might find out!)
10. Don't be ungrateful - complaining
loudly and frequently about the food or the venue or the music.
Make constructive suggestions about improving the event - or you
might not get one next year!
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