5 Reasons to Host a Company Picnic or Event

As a small business owner, it is hard to throw a party. Finances are tight, we spend a lot of time with those people already; and the big reason? It all comes out of profits. We pay for it all. Every penny. And it’s probably on a day off when we’d rather be watching a baseball game.

But we should do it anyway, and here’s why.

1. Our Employees Feel Appreciated

Really. They do. Just yesterday, I spoke to an employee who continues to thank me for a great night of eating and drinking at a backyard BBQ that occurred nearly five years ago. It was a new experience, and he got to bring his fiancée who also then viewed the company as generous and good.

Employees appreciate the effort because it affirms them at a personal level. Employees know you don’t have to host an event, and the payback comes in loyalty and high morale. Truly priceless, even years later.

2. It Makes Us Feel Good

Even if the price seems expensive, it is very rewarding to see our employees smiling and enjoying each other without any work expectations. This cannot happen easily any other way, and when you’ve built a company, it is especially gratifying to see the smiles from those whose lives are part of the infrastructure.

3. Our Commitment is Clear

By having a group event with families and friends, you demonstrate that making money is not your only purpose. Showing a bit of dedication to employees and all they do for you doubles their commitment too. The cooperation that comes from this is something you can’t buy with wages.

4. We Show Dedication to Families

For most of us, our family outside of work is the reason most of us get up in the morning. There is value in sharing our work families and home families. The kids have fun, and they understand where a parent goes every day when they are doing their own job of homework and school. It helps fit into the bigger picture and bridges family and work.

5. It Breaks Down Barriers

Most days, we work in our own departments and don’t always have much in common with others. At a picnic, we can compete in a watermelon seed spitting contest or play Wiffle ball on a team with others and share a small, light-hearted goal that isn’t about work. We build camaraderie and avoid rancor. The change in dynamic in the office after a company event is evident and positive.

It can be a simple BBQ, a bouncy house, or an obstacle course, but with a bit of teamwork, good food, and lots of smiles, the company picnic reaps considerable benefits for everyone. Just order the hot dogs, and make it happen.

Author Profile Jon Forknell is the Vice President and General Manager of Atlas Business Solutions, Inc., a software marketing company specializing in employee scheduling software, including ScheduleBase employee scheduling software, and other business software solutions. In the past, Jon has been recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration as a SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Atlas Business Solutions was named as one of Software Magazine’s Top 500 Software Companies in 2004 through 2007, and 2010, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018.