So, you’ve been tasked with organising the upcoming team building event. This is your first time and the clock is ticking. You’re struggling to find a suitable activity and venue that fits within your budget. Logistics are quickly becoming a nightmare and you don’t know where to start. What now? Luckily for you, we’ve put together a short crash course to help you execute a seamless, stress-free event in the capital.
Define the Aims of the Event.
When you set out to organise a team building event, it’s tempting to jump straight into the immediate details. But as with any project, you need to start with a clear vision. You also need to begin by outlining your desired outcomes. Are you looking to resolve important issues and improve team cohesion? Are you looking to enhance networking opportunities to help improve business relations? Maybe, you’re just looking to have some team fun? By laying down the foundations of what exactly you want to come out of your event, it’ll be much easier to figure out what should go into it.
Once you’ve established your aims and objectives, you are in a position to move on to the next stage of event planning – setting a budget:
Set a Budget
Setting a budget can be tricky as there are many factors to consider. Be realistic. You will seldom have unlimited money. Some of the expenses you will need to consider are:
· London Venue Hire
· Transportation
· Catering
· Accommodation
· Activity Hire
No event is the same. This is why we recommend you come up with a list of expenses that’s pertinent to your event. Once this has been achieved and you have a rough idea of how much you have to work with, you’re in a position to choose a date.
Choosing a Date
Picking a date is important. As obvious as it sounds, it’s imperative that you start this part of the process as early as possible. This is to avoid disappointment and any late booking fees from venues and other third-party suppliers. We also recommend that you make the date tentative. There are many factors that might influence when the event takes place, which is why it’s important to allow some flexibility. Some of the factors to consider are:
· Venue availability
· Supplier availability
· Number of attendees
Choosing an Activity
We can already see your co-workers rolling their eyes. None of us like the responsibility of choosing an activity that ticks all the boxes. Here’s the good news: choosing a team building activity doesn’t have to be like this. Don’t repeat the same old icebreakers and games that your colleagues know and hate. Instead, encourage your colleagues to experience something different. To avoid disappointment, we’ve put together some helpful hints and tips to ensure you choose the right team building activities in London.
At this stage, you will have outlined your objectives, budget, and potential dates. You now need to decide what type of activity you want your colleagues to take part in. Thankfully, we have a plethora of indoor and outdoor team building options for you to explore and choose from. To save you being overwhelmed, here are some of our top team building picks for London:
Choosing a Venue
At this point, you’re ready to pick a venue. Luckily for you, for versatility, excitement, and opportunity, there’s no better place than London. The capital boasts a plethora of conference spaces, exhibition halls, and hotels that are perfect for hosting team building activities. However, before you pick up the phone and start booking venues, you need to consider the following:
· Does this venue fit within my budget?
· Is there suitable indoor/outdoor space for my chosen activity?
· How accessible is the venue?
Our knowledge of London is unrivaled. Our expert team has over 30 years’ delivering corporate events in the capital and can help you negotiate the best possible deals to find you a suitable space for your budget and requirements. You can find more on our venue finding page.
Post-Event Review
Congratulations. You’ve successfully survived your event! At this stage, you’re probably tempted to return home for a well-deserved break, but before you do it’s important to assess the good and bad. Many people often overlook this stage and view it as an unnecessary step that’s justifiably avoided. However, it’s important to determine whether you’ve met your aims and objectives. Ask for feedback, track registration numbers, and measure participant engagement.
If you need some help with your team building event in London, why not give us a call on 0208 051 9900 or outline your requirements and send us a message.
